Petaluma, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Colony limit
- 2 bee colonies per household
- Hive type required
- Framed and moveable only
- Placement rule
- Safe distance from walkways
- Enforcing agency
- Petaluma animal control officers
- Penalty class
- Misdemeanor, chargeable as infraction
- Governing code
- PMC § 9.08.030
Summary
Petaluma allows keeping bees at home, but caps every household at two bee colonies, requires framed movable hives, and demands hives sit a safe distance from sidewalks and foot traffic under Municipal Code Section 9.08.030. Violating any condition makes the apiary unlawful and citable by animal control.
The keeping of a bee colony or maintaining an apiary in the city is permitted only in accordance with the following: A. No more than two bee colonies are permitted per household; B. All hives must be framed and moveable; C. All hives must be kept a safe distance away from pedestrian walkways and pedestrian traffic, and so as to not constitute a nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2931 NCS, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
030, titled "Beehives prohibited," actually permits residential beekeeping under three express conditions rather than banning it outright. 020(J) as one beehive and its contents, including the bees, comb, and beekeeping appliances, cross-referenced to Food and Agriculture Code Section 29006. Every hive kept in the city must be of the framed, moveable type, ruling out fixed or non-standard hive construction, and each hive must sit a safe distance from pedestrian walkways and foot traffic so it does not constitute a nuisance to neighbors or passersby. The definitions section separately defines "apiary" as bees, hives, colonies, or beekeeping appliances wherever kept, tracking Food and Agriculture Code Section 29002, and defines "beekeeping appliance" as any implement or device used in handling bees or comb.
040 where there is probable cause a keeping condition is hazardous. 08, Animal Keeping and Ownership, a beekeeper who exceeds two colonies, keeps unframed or immovable hives, or places hives so they interfere with sidewalks is out of compliance even without a complaint about the bees' behavior itself.
Violations & Fines
A beekeeping violation is enforced under Chapter 9.32: Section 9.32.030 makes any Title 9 violation a misdemeanor unless charged as an infraction at the prosecutor's discretion, and Section 9.32.020 treats each day the violation continues as a separate offense. Animal control officers may also pursue civil court action under Section 9.32.040, with the prevailing party entitled to recover attorney's fees and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep in Petaluma?
Do I need a permit to keep bees in Petaluma?
What happens if my hives create a nuisance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Petaluma
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