Placer County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Placer County adopted a comprehensive beekeeping ordinance amending its zoning code to set industry standards and expressly allow backyard hives. Under the ordinance, bee yards are limited to five hives per acre where allowed by zoning, with a maximum of 100 total hives in any one location (with an ability to apply for an exemption). Hives must be set back at least 50 feet from a property line, and beekeepers must ensure an adequate water source for their bees and notify immediately adjacent neighbors of their operation. The ordinance allows residential beekeeping of up to two hives for hobbyists to produce honey for personal use and sharing. A 'commercial bee yard' is defined as a location with 10 or more hives; new operations must generally be located at least one mile from an existing bee yard. Separately, and regardless of these zoning standards, California Food & Agricultural Code Section 29040 requires all apiaries to be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner by January 1 each year. Placer County charges a $10.00 registration fee, but hobbyist beekeepers with nine hives or fewer who are not in the business of beekeeping are exempt from the fee (though the registration form is still required). Registration may be completed online through the statewide BeeWhere system.