Hemet, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Colony limits by lot
- 2 (<=1/4 ac), 4 (<1/2 ac), 6 (<1 ac), 8 (>=1 ac)
- Setback from roads
- 300 ft from any public road (Sec. 10-109)
- Setback from dwellings
- 500 ft from nearest dwelling/business unless owner consents
- Flyway barrier
- 6 ft high, near dwellings/schools (Sec. 10-110)
- Hive type
- Langstroth with removable frames (Sec. 10-104)
- Water supply
- Plentiful fresh water within 300 ft (Sec. 10-105)
Summary
Hemet has its OWN detailed beekeeping ordinance in Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article III (Secs. 10-101 to 10-113). It limits colonies by lot size, requires Langstroth hives, water, setbacks of 300 ft from roads and 500 ft from dwellings, and six-foot flyway barriers near homes.
It shall be unlawful to keep more than the following number of colonies on any tract within the city, based upon the size of configuration of the tract... One-quarter acre or less tract size - 2 colonies; More than one-quarter acre but less than one-half acre tract size - 4 colonies; More than one-half acre but less than one acre tract size - 6 colonies; One acre or larger tract size - 8 colonies...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Beekeeping is one area where Hemet writes its own rules rather than relying on the county. Chapter 10, Article III (originally Ordinance No. 1492, 1994) sets sound-beekeeping standards. Colony density (Sec. 10-108) is tied to tract size: 2 colonies on a quarter-acre or less; 4 colonies on more than 1/4 but less than 1/2 acre; 6 colonies on 1/2 to under 1 acre; and 8 colonies on one acre or larger. There is no colony limit where all hives sit at least 200 feet from every property line, or where surrounding property within 200 feet stays undeveloped.
Hives must be Langstroth-type with removable frames (Sec. 10-104). Apiaries must be at least 300 feet from any public road and 500 feet from the nearest dwelling or business unless the owner/occupant consents (Sec. 10-109). Where a colony is near a dwelling, business, schoolyard, or gathering place, the beekeeper must maintain a flyway barrier at least six feet high extending ten feet beyond the colony in each direction (Sec. 10-110). Beekeepers must supply water within 300 feet (Sec. 10-105), re-queen aggressive colonies (Sec. 10-107), mark hives or post a sign (Sec. m. (Sec. 10-112), and must be certified/registered with the State as required by law (Sec. 10-103).
Violations & Fines
Sec. 10-113 lets the city investigate complaints, hold a hearing before the safety manager, and order bees destroyed or removed (and barred from the tract for two years) for violations. Feral colonies, swarms, abandoned hives, and dangerously aggressive bees can be abated without a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep in Hemet?
What setbacks apply to beehives in Hemet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hemet
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How other cities in Riverside County handle beekeeping.