Vacaville, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Chapter 6.24 (Bees and Beekeeping) of the Vacaville Municipal Code regulates apiaries to balance public safety with the agricultural value of bees. No person may keep, maintain, or allow any hive of bees on any lot in a Residential District, or in a Commercial District where residential uses are allowed, without first obtaining a Beekeeping Permit. A written application is filed with the Community Development Department, signed by the property owner and any lawful tenant, and accompanied by a fee set by City Council resolution. Hives must be oriented so their entrances face the keeper's own dwelling, surrounded by a solid fence at least six feet tall located no more than 30 feet from the hives, and supplied with a constant, reliable water source. No hive may be kept within 200 feet of a dwelling occupied by a person systemically allergic to bee stings, or on any property that adjoins one occupied by such a person. Open Space, Agricultural Hillside, Industrial, and non-residential Commercial parcels are exempt from the permit requirement provided the hive sits more than 150 ft from any existing or permitted dwelling and at least 100 ft from any public street or alley. Statewide, all apiaries must be registered with the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Agricultural Code Section 29040 (typically via the BeeWhere system at beewhere.calagpermits.org).