Backyard beekeeping is allowed in unincorporated Sacramento County. In agricultural and agricultural-residential zones, hives need only be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner. Other zones require a lot of at least 5,000 sq ft, with hive caps by lot size: 2 (under 10,000 sf), 4 (10,000–20,000 sf), 6 (over 20,000 sf). All hives must be registered.
Sacramento County permits beekeeping in unincorporated areas under its Zoning Code (referenced by the County as Section 3.4.2.B) and enforced through Code Enforcement and the Agricultural Commissioner. On property zoned Agricultural or Agricultural-Residential, beekeeping is allowed so long as the hives are registered with the Agricultural Commissioner — the County states that is the only standard enforced through Code Enforcement in those zones. On all other property in all other zones, beekeeping is allowed provided the lot is at least 5,000 square feet, with the number of hives tied to lot size: two hives are permitted on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet; four hives on lots from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet; and six hives on lots greater than 20,000 square feet. Lots may temporarily keep double the allowed number of hives for up to 60 days to allow for hive management and to minimize swarming. In every case, hives must be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner; California law also requires apiary registration. Bee-related complaints in residential zones are directed to the Agricultural Commissioner (reported contact 916-875-6603 / agcomm@saccounty.net).
Keeping more hives than your lot size allows, beekeeping on a non-agricultural lot smaller than 5,000 sq ft, or failing to register hives with the Agricultural Commissioner can prompt Code Enforcement or Agricultural Commissioner action — typically a notice to abate, removal of excess hives, and registration compliance. The 60-day double-hive allowance is the only built-in over-cap exception.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sacramento County, CA
Outdoor music in unincorporated Sacramento County is held to the Chapter 6.68 exterior noise standards, with the residential limit reduced 5 dBA because it i...
Sacramento County, CA
County Code Section 6.68.070 sets exterior noise standards for unincorporated Sacramento County: 55 dBA during the day (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and 50 dBA at nigh...
Sacramento County, CA
Curb colors in unincorporated Sacramento County follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458, which says only local authorities may mark curbs to indicate pa...
Sacramento County, CA
Loading zones in unincorporated Sacramento County are set under County Code Chapter 10.24. The Director marks loading zones with yellow or white curbs. Yello...
Sacramento County, CA
Oversized vehicles in unincorporated Sacramento County are addressed mainly through the 72-hour street limit and the heavy commercial-vehicle restriction. Mo...
Sacramento County, CA
Sacramento County recognizes solid walls, semi-open picket, open chain link or woven wire, and open ornamental wrought iron as fence types, each with its own...
See how Sacramento County's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.