Pleasanton, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

103 sets up a dedicated beekeeping permit administered by the zoning administrator. An applicant must file a form describing the hive, the bees' water source and the required flyway barrier, along with a scaled site plan, and pay an application fee set by council resolution. 144. 080's standards require the beekeeper to actually live at the property, keep hives at least five feet from side and rear property lines and out of the area between the front property line and the house, and cap hive count at two on single-family lots in R-1, RM or the Downtown Specific Plan Area, versus up to ten in the Agricultural district.

Hives cannot exceed four feet in height including the stand, though the zoning administrator has discretion to approve more or taller hives if the lot's size or topography can accommodate them. Each hive needs a flyway barrier at least six feet tall (and no taller than seven feet) that forces bees to fly upward at the property line, plus a bee-accessible water source within ten feet, since dripping faucets do not count. Beekeepers must inspect hives at least three times between March 1 and October 1 each year and requeen at least once every two years to head off swarming. 140 in addition to permit suspension or revocation after a public hearing.