Madera County requires apiary registration with the Agricultural Commissioner, either directly or via the statewide BeeWhere portal. Cal. Food & Ag Code §29040 also requires registration. Title 18 Zoning determines where hives are allowed; agricultural and rural-residential zones generally permit beekeeping.
Madera County is a major beekeeping county due to its almond and citrus acreage. The Madera County Agricultural Commissioner administers apiary services, including hive registration, either through the Commissioner's office or the statewide BeeWhere registration portal, as required by Cal. Food & Ag Code §29040. Title 18 zoning controls where hives may be located: agricultural (A-E) and rural-residential (R-R) zones generally permit beekeeping as an accessory or primary use, while denser residential zones may not. The Commissioner coordinates pesticide-spray notifications and apiary-theft reporting with beekeepers in the county.
Failure to register an apiary is a violation of Cal. Food & Ag Code §29040 et seq. Zoning violations under Title 18 are misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 and/or 6 months jail. Nuisance hives can be abated by the Commissioner.
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See how Madera's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
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