Lakewood, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Lakewood Municipal Code § 9320(A)(8), added by Ordinance 2024-4, permits private backyard beekeeping of honeybees on a lot with only one addressed dwelling unit, capped at four hives and no more than one hive per 1,500 square feet of lot area. A lot running an ADU, JADU or second primary dwelling loses eligibility, since the section bars beekeeping where any of those exist. Before installing hives, the beekeeper needs a site plan approved by the Community Development Director or designee showing hive locations and numbers.

Placement rules are detailed: no hive within 50 feet of a public street, park or school; none in a front, side or rear setback area; none within four feet of a property line; hives must sit between the residence and the rear property line, out of view from the public right-of-way, in a dark, secure spot, with entrances facing south or west at least ten feet from any neighboring structure entrance. Flight-path rules require hives at least eight feet above grade or four feet from a six-foot solid wall, fence or hedge along the property line, plus a continually clean water source to keep bees from breeding mosquitoes.

Beekeepers must register each hive with the Los Angeles County Agriculture Commissioner within 30 days of setup and re-register every January under California Food and Agricultural Code §§ 29040-29056, and citywide registrations are capped at ten per year across every zone. Selling honey from the hives triggers the City's cottage food and home-based business rules, plus Los Angeles County Public Health Department oversight.