Shasta County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping in unincorporated Shasta County is governed by County Code Title 6, Chapter 6.08, enforced by the County Agricultural Commissioner. Section 6.08.030 requires every apiary to be registered pursuant to California Food and Agricultural Code section 29040. Section 6.08.060(A) prohibits placing or keeping any apiary closer than 300 feet to any residence or dwelling other than one owned by the beekeeper or one whose owner has given permission; an apiary in violation is declared a public nuisance and must be relocated. Exceptions apply where the dwelling came after the apiary (unless the Commissioner declares a nuisance) or where adequate flight-dispersing barriers are maintained to the Commissioner's satisfaction. Section 6.08.060(B) bars keeping an apiary within 100 feet of a public highway except temporarily during transport. Section 6.08.070 requires a water supply - either a natural source within one-half mile or an artificial supply within 150 feet. Section 6.08.050 requires an identification sign in compliance with Food & Ag Code section 29046, and 6.08.040 requires landowner permission before placing an apiary on another's property. Section 6.08.110 makes it unlawful to willingly and knowingly keep an apiary of Africanized honey bees. The Code defines a 'hobbyist beekeeper' as one with nine or fewer colonies (6.08.010); hobbyist, landowner, and pollination apiaries have no inter-apiary distance restrictions, while nucleus and commercial apiaries must keep one mile apart (6.08.120). The Board of Supervisors sets inspection/registration fees (6.08.150).