Hesperia, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Default rule
- apiaries banned citywide
- Exception land
- ag-zoned, owner-occupied only
- Hive limit
- 3 hives, 300-ft setback
- Barrier required
- 6 feet high, natural or built
- Africanized bees
- always a public nuisance
Summary
Apiaries are banned citywide in Hesperia; only agriculturally zoned, owner-occupied parcels may keep up to three hives, set back 300 feet from streets, schools, parks and neighboring homes.
Apiaries shall not be permitted within the city.B.Exceptions.1.A single hive may be allowed when required by a prescription from a licensed medical doctor and used for the treatment of certain diseases.2.Three or fewer hives may be maintained on agriculturally zoned and owner occupied land when the hives are placed at least three hundred (300) from any street, road or highway, any public school, park, "R" designation boundary or from any dwelling or place of human habitation other than that occupied by the owner or caretaker of the apiary. The hives must be located and maintained behind barriers (natural or otherwise) of at least six feet in height.3.A permanent source of fresh water shall be provided within twenty-five (25) feet of any hive.C.All other apiaries in existence within the city limits on the effective date of this ordinance may be allowed to stay for a period of one year (three hundred sixty-five (365) days) from that date, then must be removed or destroyed.D.Nuisance Bees. Bees shall be considered a public nuisance when they interfere with the normal use of private or public property or have been involved in a multiple stinging incident of five or more stings to an animal or person. Bees known to be Africanized Honey Bees are declared a public nuisance in any situation. (Ord. 2002-08 Exh. C (part), 2002)
(Ord. No. 2017-19, § 3(Exh. A), 10-17-17)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Citing the risk of Africanized honey bee takeover, HMC § 6.12.080 bans apiaries within the city as a general rule. The only exceptions: a single hive kept under a licensed doctor's prescription for treating certain diseases, or up to three hives on agriculturally zoned, owner-occupied land, set back from streets, schools, parks, the "R" zoning boundary, and neighboring homes, and screened behind barriers at least six feet high with a fresh water source within 25 feet. Apiaries already in the city when the ordinance took effect got 365 days to be removed. Bees causing a multi-sting incident, or any Africanized honey bees, are automatically declared a public nuisance.
Violations & Fines
Keeping an apiary outside the narrow exceptions is a public nuisance and code violation, enforced under HMC Chapter 1.12: a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail, or a reduced infraction fine, plus city abatement of the hives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep bees in a Hesperia backyard?
What if a hive is needed for medical treatment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hesperia
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle beekeeping.