San Ramon, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Chapter IX of the Zoning Ordinance, adopted by Ordinance No. 534 and effective November 13, 2025, governs residential beekeeping and apiaries kept for personal, non-commercial purposes as a hobby. A limits the use to lots of at least 6,000 square feet with access to a private yard, and only within the Single-Family Residential (RS), Rural Conservation (RC), Hillside Residential (HR), and Residential Estate (RE) zones; beekeeping is not permitted in other residential or commercial zones. B sets a sliding hive cap: two hives are allowed on the minimum 6,000-square-foot lot, with one additional hive permitted for every extra 2,500 square feet of lot area, up to an absolute ceiling of 10 hives on any residential property regardless of lot size.

C requires hives and apiary structures to sit in the rear or side yard, at least 6 feet from the side and rear property lines and at least 25 feet from the front property line, with a maximum structure height of 6 feet measured from grade. D adds a flyaway barrier requirement whenever a hive sits within 100 feet of a neighboring structure or outdoor living area, including a swimming pool: the barrier must be a solid wall, fence, or dense vegetation at least 6 feet tall and at least 20 feet long, centered on and perpendicular to the shortest line between the hive and the neighboring residence or outdoor area. E requires keepers to provide bees a convenient water source year-round so they are not drawn to a neighbor's pool or other water sources.