Calaveras County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

08 was adopted in 1964 (Ord. 298) and last amended in 1984 (Ord. 1627) to supplement, not override, the state Food and Agricultural Code's bee-management provisions at Section 29001 et seq. 030 requires written or verbal permission from the landowner, or the agency controlling a public right-of-way, before any apiary is placed there. 040 protects places where people gather: hives kept near schoolyards, parks or similar gathering spots must sit behind natural or artificial barriers tall enough to force the bees to fly at least ten feet over the area.

050 protects neighboring dwellings: if the county agricultural commissioner determines an apiary is placed so close to an occupied building that it stops the occupants from going about their normal activities, the commissioner can order the beekeeper to relocate the hives within seventy-two hours. 070 requires beekeepers to keep a fresh water supply on hand whenever bees are likely to become a nuisance foraging for water. 080 requires an identification sign at any apiary kept away from the beekeeper's own residence, showing the owner's name, address, zip code and phone number, clearly legible and posted on the entrance side.

010 as anyone who is not a legal Calaveras County resident, are subject to the same rules. 120 to abate a nuisance or a chapter violation.