Nevada County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping is treated as an animal-keeping use under Nevada County Land Use and Development Code Sec. 12.03.040 (Animal Keeping and Raising). The standards table (Table 12.03.040.C) shows apiaries allowed with 'No Limit' in the agricultural and rural districts (AG, AE, FR, REC, IDR, PD, TPZ, P&OS), allowed in the residential agricultural (RA) district at not more than 20 colonies per acre, and not allowed in commercial and industrial districts. A key siting rule applies across districts: no apiary shall be located within 100 feet of any other property boundary without the consent of the adjacent parcel's owner. As with all animal keeping, beekeeping must be conducted so it does not create a public health problem or public nuisance or interfere with the welfare of surrounding properties. Beyond the County zoning rules, California's Food and Agricultural Code governs apiary registration and bee health statewide, and beekeepers should also confirm any registration requirements with the County Agricultural Commissioner.