Redlands, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Redlands regulates beekeeping directly through its own municipal code rather than leaving it to the county. Under Redlands Municipal Code section 6.20.020, it is unlawful for any person within the city to keep or have control of any stands of bees without first obtaining a permit, subject to such conditions as may be imposed by Animal Control. This city permit lets Animal Control set hive placement and management conditions to protect neighbors. The exact number of allowed hives, setbacks, and water/screening conditions are set in the chapter and any permit terms, so prospective beekeepers should confirm current conditions with Redlands Animal Services before placing hives. Layered on top of the city permit, California's Apiary Protection Act (Food and Agricultural Code, Division 13) requires every person who owns or possesses an apiary to register the number of colonies and each apiary location with the county agricultural commissioner, generally annually and when bees first enter the county. In Redlands that is the San Bernardino County Agricultural Commissioner. So a Redlands beekeeper typically needs both the city permit under 6.20.020 and county apiary registration under state law.