Yuba County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping in unincorporated Yuba County is governed by the zoning Development Code rather than the animal-control chapter. Section 11.32.050(3) ("Regulations pertaining to apiaries/bee keeping") states that the keeping of bees is not permitted within the valley growth boundary (VGB) except on existing agricultural properties, and that where bees are permitted they are subject to the requirements of the county Agricultural Commissioner. This is consistent with the county's agricultural, foothill character: hives are far easier to site on rural-zoned and agricultural land outside the VGB than on small residential lots inside it. Separately, California law requires that the owner of any apiary register it with the Agricultural Commissioner of the county where it is located; under Food & Agricultural Code 29040 each location must be registered (the state operates the BeeWhere system to map registered apiaries, which also supports pesticide-application notifications to protect colonies). Because Yuba County's ordinance defers specifics to the Agricultural Commissioner, prospective beekeepers should confirm parcel eligibility, hive placement, and registration directly with that office before establishing hives.