West Covina, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Administrative Permit with Hearing (APH)
- Zones allowed
- All 6 residential zones, with APH
- Decision-maker
- Community Development Director or designee
- Hearing
- Only if requested during public review
- Findings required
- Compatibility, site adequacy, no detriment
- Permit lapse
- Void if unused/discontinued 6+ months
Summary
West Covina allows beekeeping in every residential zone only with an Administrative Permit with Hearing (APH) under Table 2-2 of the Development Code, a discretionary process that requires Community Development Director findings on compatibility, site adequacy, and neighborhood impact before a hive can go in.
Table 2-2 Uses and Permit Requirements: APH - Administrative Permit w/ Hearing - Article VI, division 6; article VI, division 1. ... Beekeeping APH APH APH APH APH APH [R-A, R-1, MF-8, MF-15, MF-20, MF-45]. ... The approval of all administrative permit shall be based on the findings as required by the code section pertaining to the requested use or the following:a.That the proposed use at the particular location is necessary or desirable to provide a service or facility which will contribute to the general wellbeing of the neighborhood or community;b.That such use will not, under the circumstances of the particular case, be detrimental to the health, safety, peace or general welfare of persons residing or working in the vicinity or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 26-45(a), Table 2-2 of the Development Code lists "Beekeeping" under agricultural uses with the symbol "APH" in all six residential columns: R-A, R-1, MF-8, MF-15, MF-20, and MF-45. The table's legend defines APH as "Administrative Permit w/ Hearing," processed under "Article VI, division 6; article VI, division 1," which places beekeeping a step above uses marked "AP" (administrative permit without a hearing option) and below uses that need a full conditional use permit before the Planning Commission. Sec. 26-238 governs how that permit is decided: after the application and required notice go out, the Community Development Director or a designee may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the request without a hearing, unless someone requests one during the public review period, in which case an administrative hearing before the Director is required.
" The Director can also elect to transfer any APH request directly to the Planning Commission for a hearing within thirty days. Because Sec. 26-111, the city's animal-keeping standard, does not list hive-specific spacing or colony limits, those site-specific conditions, distance from property lines, hive orientation, and water source requirements, are set case by case as conditions of the APH rather than as a fixed numeric standard in the code.
Violations & Fines
Keeping bees without an approved Administrative Permit with Hearing is a Development Code violation enforceable the same as any unpermitted land use under chapter 26, article VI: the city can require removal of the hives and deny future permit applications until the property comes into compliance. An approved APH that goes unused or is discontinued for six months becomes null and void under Sec. 26-240(d), and any conditions attached to the approval, such as hive placement or screening, are enforceable as permit violations subject to revocation under Sec. 26-241.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep beehives in a West Covina backyard?
Will I need to attend a public hearing to keep bees?
What must the city find before approving a beekeeping permit?
Does my beekeeping permit expire?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Covina
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