Kern County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

50 governs bees in the unincorporated county. 002 requires every apiary owner to register the number of colonies and their location with the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner each January 1, or within 30 days of that date, or within 30 days of bringing bees into the county; registration is valid until the following January 1. 003 requires an identification sign on any apiary kept somewhere other than the owner's own residence, showing the owner's name, address and phone number in black letters at least one inch tall on a white or contrasting background, posted on the long side of the hive facing the entrance.

004 bars placing an apiary on land you don't own without the landowner's written permission first. 005 sets the mandatory buffers: 20 feet from a state highway or county road right-of-way, a quarter mile from a school or park boundary, 200 feet from an occupied residence or occupied business building, waivable by the neighbor's written consent to a shorter distance, and 200 feet from a swimming pool or an airstrip in regular use. 006 requires the keeper to supply the colony with an adequate, suitable water source in immediate proximity to the hives. 008 and may set additional rules and collect enforcement fees.