Fresno allows backyard beekeeping on single-family residential lots with up to two hives on lots under 10,000 square feet and four hives on larger lots. Hives must be set back 10 feet from property lines, with flyway barriers 6 feet tall if within 25 feet of neighbor property. Registration with the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner is required annually.
Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 9 allows residential beekeeping subject to operational standards. Up to two colonies are allowed on lots up to 10,000 square feet; larger lots up to 0.5 acre allow four colonies, and rural-residential lots allow more. Hives must be set back 10 feet from all property lines and positioned so flyways do not cross pedestrian or neighbor active-use areas. If a hive is within 25 feet of a neighbor property line, a 6-foot flyway barrier (fence, hedge, or structure) must force bees to fly up and over. A year-round water source on the beekeeper's property is required to prevent bees from watering at neighbor pools. California Food and Agriculture Code §29040 requires annual registration of beekeepers with the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner regardless of hive count. Hive management standards require Varroa mite monitoring, swarm prevention, and availability of the beekeeper to respond to swarms. Africanized bee genetics are common in Central Valley; requeening from local non-Africanized stock is recommended.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Fresno code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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