Richmond, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum
- 5-foot minimum setback from property lines
- Dimensions
- Flyway barrier required within 10 ft of hive
- Water Source
- Water source required on-site
- Application
- Annual registration with County Ag Commissioner (CA FAC §29040)
- Dimensions
- Hive limits scale with lot size
Summary
Beekeeping is permitted in Richmond residential zones with setbacks and hive limits. Hives must be kept at least 5 feet from property lines, flight paths directed away from neighbors (using 6-ft barriers or elevated placement), and a water source provided on-site. Registration with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner is required annually.
Every person that is the owner, broker, or is in possession of an apiary that is located within the state, on the first day of January of each year, shall register the number of colonies in each apiary that is owned or possessed by the person and the location of each apiary. Every person required to register under this article, shall do so on the first day of January of each year in which they maintain, possess, or are in possession of an apiary, or within 30 days thereafter, as prescribed in this article.
Full Breakdown
Richmond allows backyard beekeeping as part of its urban agriculture provisions, subject to reasonable standards. Under RMC zoning and nuisance provisions, hives must be set back at least 5 feet from property lines and positioned so that bee flight paths do not cross neighboring yards at low altitude; this is typically achieved by placing hives facing the beekeeper's own yard or installing a 6-foot flyway barrier (fence, hedge, or building wall) within 10 feet of the hive entrance. Beekeepers must maintain a constant water source on their own property to prevent bees from watering at neighbors' pools or birdbaths.
California Food & Agricultural Code §29040 requires all apiaries with one or more colonies to be registered annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner (Contra Costa County at 2366-A Stanwell Cir, Concord). Hive limits typically scale with lot size: 2 hives on lots under 5,000 sq ft, up to 4 hives on larger parcels. Africanized or aggressive colonies must be re-queened or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep bees in Richmond?
What if my neighbor is allergic to bees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
California rules heatmap·Compare Richmond to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle beekeeping.