Martinez, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Martinez permits residential beekeeping subject to Municipal Code Chapter 6.04 standards and Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner registration requirements. All beekeepers in California must register annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Agricultural Code §29040 — in Contra Costa County, this registration is free and can be completed online or by mail. In Martinez residential zones, hives must be positioned at least 10 feet from property lines and 25 feet from neighboring dwellings unless a solid six-foot flyway barrier (fence, hedge, or structure) directs bee flight paths upward over the obstacle before the property line. Typical allowed hive density is two hives per 5,000 square feet of lot area, with larger lots permitted more. Water sources must be provided on-site to prevent bees from seeking water at neighbors' pools or spigots. Aggressive colonies (Africanized honey bees suspected) must be requeened or removed. Beekeepers are responsible for swarm retrieval from their hives. Hive inspection by the County Agricultural Commissioner may occur, particularly if disease (American foulbrood) is reported. Some HOAs in Martinez may restrict beekeeping beyond municipal standards. California right-to-farm provisions apply to commercial apiary operations on agricultural land outside city limits.