Twain Harte, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

There is no honeybee- or apiary-specific provision in Tuolumne County's Animal Control Ordinance (Ch. 6.04); the chapter regulates animals such as dogs, cats, and livestock rather than bees. Whether and where hives may be kept on a given parcel is a function of the county zoning code (Title 17), so hive placement and any limits depend on the property's zone—owners should confirm specifics with the Tuolumne County Community Development / Planning Department. At the state level, beekeeping is governed by California's Apiary Protection Act (Food and Agricultural Code Division 13). Under Food and Agricultural Code section 29040, every person who is the owner, broker, or in possession of an apiary located in the state on the first day of January each year must register the number of colonies and the location of each apiary; registration must be filed by January 1, or within 30 days thereafter. Registration is made with the Agricultural Commissioner of the county where the apiary is located (the Tuolumne County Agricultural Commissioner's office), and apiary location information is held confidential. Because no county ordinance sets hive numbers or setbacks specific to beekeeping, the controlling rules for most beekeepers are the state registration requirement plus the applicable zoning district.