Pacifica, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Pacifica Municipal Code § 5-25.03(B)(35)
- Standard
- Must not disturb neighbors' peace, health, safety
- Hive limit
- None specified in this chapter
- Permit required
- None specified for beekeeping itself
- Notice period
- At least 30 days to correct, Section 5-25.05
- Default penalty
- Infraction under Section 5-25.21
Summary
In the City of Pacifica, keeping bees is not banned or separately licensed, but Municipal Code Section 5-25.03(B)(35) makes it a public nuisance to run an apiary in a way that disturbs the peace, health, or safety of neighboring properties. Code Enforcement acts on the nuisance rule alone; there is no beekeeping permit process, hive-count cap, or setback written into this chapter.
The City Council finds and declares that it is a public nuisance and unlawful for any person owning, leasing, occupying or having charge of any property within the City to maintain, or to allow or permit others to maintain, such property in such a manner that: ... (35)All apiaries maintained for the purposes of keeping bees shall be kept in a manner that does not disturb the peace, health or safety of the neighboring properties or community.
Full Breakdown
03 a long list of conditions that constitute a public nuisance, from junk accumulation and overgrown vegetation to graffiti and dilapidated fences. Item (35) of that list addresses bees directly: all apiaries maintained for keeping bees must be kept in a manner that does not disturb the peace, health, or safety of neighboring properties or the community. Unlike a zoning-based beekeeping ordinance, this provision sets no numeric hive limit, no distance from a property line, and no registration or permit requirement; the standard is purely whether the apiary is a nuisance to neighbors.
05, naming the violated section and giving the property owner or tenant at least thirty calendar days to correct the condition before further action, except in an emergency summary abatement. 09. 23 lets the City's Code Enforcement Officer and Pacifica Police Department issue criminal citations for it.
Violations & Fines
An apiary that disturbs a neighbor's peace, health, or safety is a public nuisance under Section 5-25.03(B)(35). The City must first serve a written Declaration of Public Nuisance and Notice of Intent to Abate under Section 5-25.05, giving at least thirty days to correct the condition before Section 5-25.21's infraction penalty or abatement follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep bees in Pacifica?
How many beehives can I have in my Pacifica backyard?
What happens if a neighbor complains about my bees?
What's the penalty for a beekeeping nuisance violation in Pacifica?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pacifica
California rules heatmap·Compare Pacifica to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle beekeeping.