South Gate, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Apiaries and bee-keeping banned citywide
- Citation
- SGMC § 4.01.070 / § 7.22.030
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $500 per offense
- Applies to
- All residential and commercial lots
Summary
South Gate outlaws beekeeping citywide: no apiary, hive, or kept bees is allowed on any residential or commercial parcel, with no exception for small backyard hives.
Apiaries Prohibited. No person shall maintain an apiary, nor keep or permit the keeping of bees, within the city.
2. Penalty for Violations–Each Day As Separate Offense. Any person who maintains an apiary or keeps or permits the keeping of bees on any premises, in the city shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine and/or penalty as set forth in Chapter 1.56 of this code for each day that the bees are kept in violation of this code. (Ord. 1984 § 1 (part), 5-23-1995)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4847832; v1 updated 2026-05-12; through 05-12-2026).
Full Breakdown
South Gate's animal code flatly bans apiaries: 'No person shall maintain an apiary, nor keep or permit the keeping of bees, within the city' (SGMC § 4.01.070). The same prohibition is duplicated in the city's amended animal control ordinance at Chapter 10.76, which sets escalating fines, up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $500 for each additional violation within a year (SGMC § 7.22.030). Unlike many California cities that permit a limited number of hives with setbacks, South Gate allows none, regardless of lot size or zoning district.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees or maintaining a hive anywhere in city limits is a misdemeanor. Each day the bees remain is a separate offense, escalating to a $500 fine under Chapter 10.76's penalty schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a beehive in my South Gate yard?
What happens if I keep bees anyway?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in South Gate
California rules heatmap·Compare South Gate to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle beekeeping.