Residential beekeeping is effectively prohibited in Mission Viejo. The City Council rejected a proposed beekeeping ordinance in May 2021 by a 4-1 vote. Under the existing nuisance code (§9.59.110), bees kept or bred in violation of the municipal code are designated a nuisance.
Mission Viejo does not allow residential beekeeping. In 2021, a resident petitioned the City Council to adopt regulations permitting backyard beekeeping on single-family residential properties. The proposed ordinance would have required registration with the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, mandatory training, and written neighbor notification. Despite consideration, the Council voted 4-1 against the ordinance on May 11, 2021, citing concerns from residents about allergies and safety in the city's densely populated neighborhoods. Under the existing Municipal Code, Section 9.59.110 designates animals, livestock, poultry, or bees kept or bred in violation of the code as a nuisance. Since no enabling ordinance was adopted, beekeeping in residential zones remains a code violation. Approximately half of Orange County cities, including Mission Viejo, Irvine, and Newport Beach, prohibit residential beekeeping. California Food and Agricultural Code §29043 requires all beekeepers to register with the County Agricultural Commissioner regardless of local regulations.
Keeping bees in a residential zone: nuisance citation under §9.59.110. Ordered removal of hives. Failure to comply: administrative hearing and potential prosecution. Fines escalate with repeated offenses.
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo uses a nuisance-based noise standard rather than fixed decibel limits for most residential situations. The General Plan Noise Element establish...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo is not within the primary noise contour of any major airport. The nearest commercial airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA), approximately 15 mile...
Mission Viejo, CA
Outdoor music in Mission Viejo must not be audible beyond property boundaries at levels that disturb neighbors. The city hosts outdoor concerts at the Lake a...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo does not have a citywide overnight parking ban on public streets, but the 72-hour storage limit applies. Most HOA communities restrict or prohi...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo generally allows street parking but restricts it in certain areas through posted signage. The 72-hour vehicle storage limit on public streets i...
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo actively enforces abandoned vehicle regulations on public streets and private property. Vehicles that are inoperable, unregistered, or parked f...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle beekeeping.
See how Mission Viejo's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.