Sunnyvale allows backyard beekeeping with setback requirements from property lines and flyway barriers. Hives must be registered with the Santa Clara County Agricultural Commissioner under state apiary law.
Backyard beekeeping is permitted in Sunnyvale residential zones subject to reasonable nuisance and setback rules. Hives must be placed at least 10 feet from any property line and 25 feet from neighboring dwellings, or be screened by a 6-foot flyway barrier (fence, dense shrub, or netting) that forces bees to fly above head height before leaving the yard. A water source must be maintained on the beekeeper property to discourage bees from congregating at neighbor pools and fountains. California state law requires all hives to be registered annually with the county agricultural commissioner, which for Sunnyvale means Santa Clara County. Aggressive colonies are treated as a nuisance and may be required to be requeened with gentler genetics or removed. Commercial apiaries are not a permitted use in residential zones.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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