Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.04.130 permits beekeeping on single-family residential property only, with a limit of two hives per property. Hives must be at least 5 feet from property lines and registered with the City's Animal Control Office. Requeening is required every two years.
Santa Monica amended Chapter 4.04 (Animals) in 2011 to add Section 4.04.130 regulating beekeeping on residential property. Key requirements: hives may only be maintained on single-family residential property. No more than two hives per property. Hives must be located at least 5 feet from all property lines. Hive entrances must face away from or parallel to the nearest property line. Hives must have either a 6-foot screening barrier or be elevated at least 8 feet above adjacent ground level. Any person intending to keep bees must first register with the City's Animal Control Office. Ongoing management requirements include: requeening at least once every two years, providing an on-site water source, continuously managing hives to prevent swarming, and storing equipment in sealed containers or enclosed structures. Section 4.04.400 grants Animal Control Officers enforcement power and inspection authority over registered apiaries.
Unregistered hives or non-compliant beekeeping is subject to animal control enforcement, notices to correct, and administrative citations. Animal Control Officers have authority to inspect registered apiaries under Section 4.04.400.
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