Monterey County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

We did not find a dedicated Monterey County Code section regulating backyard beekeeping, and bees are not addressed in the County Animal Services 'Knowing the Law' page. In practice, keeping bees in unincorporated Monterey County is governed by two layers: (1) zoning under MCC Title 21, where apiculture is treated as an agricultural or animal-husbandry use and is broadly compatible with agricultural and low-density residential districts that already allow animal husbandry and small livestock farming (see MCC 21.14.030); and (2) California's statewide apiary protection law (Food and Agricultural Code, Division 13, Apiary Protection), which requires beekeepers to register the location of their bee colonies annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner and governs apiary identification, abandonment, and disease control. The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner administers apiary registration and bee-related complaints locally. Because no County coop-style ordinance with hive counts or setbacks was found, prudent beekeepers should still place hives to avoid nuisance, provide a water source, and confirm there are no private CC&R restrictions. Because we found no County-specific hive limit, do not assume one exists; verify current requirements with the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner before establishing an apiary.