West Sacramento, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Hive limit
- 2 per parcel outside AG/RE zones
- Property line setback
- 5 feet minimum
- Water source
- Required on-site at all times
- Requeening
- Every 2 years to prevent swarming
Summary
West Sacramento limits backyard hives to two per parcel outside its AG and RE zones, requires five-foot setbacks from property lines, and mandates a year-round water source to keep bees away from neighbors' pools.
AG and RE Zones. No limit on number of hives.
b. Other Zones. Maximum of two hives per parcel unless otherwise approved with a Minor Use Permit.
2. Hive Location.
a. Hives shall be located at least five feet from all property lines.
b. Hive entrances shall face away from or parallel to the nearest property line(s).
c. Hives must either be screened so that the bees must fly over a six-foot barrier, which may be vegetative, before leaving the property, or be placed at least eight feet above the adjacent ground level.
3. Hive Management.
a. Hives shall be continually managed to provide adequate living space for their resident bees to prevent swarming.
b. Hives shall be requeened at least once every two years to prevent swarming.
c. A water source for bees shall be provided at all times on the property where the bees are kept to discourage bee visitation at swimming pools, hose bibs and other water sources on adjacent public or private property.
d. Hive maintenance materials or equipment must be stored in a sealed container or placed within a building or other bee-proof enclosure.
4. Nuisance. Bees or hives shall be considered a public nuisance and subject to Chapter 17.46, Enforcement, when any of the following occurs:
a. Colonies of bees exhibit defensive or objectionable behavior or interfere with the normal use of neighboring properties.
b. Colonies of bees swarm.
c. Bees or hives do not conform to this title.
d.
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code § 17.30.060.B sets West Sacramento's beekeeping standards as an accessory residential use. Hive numbers are unlimited in the AG and RE zones but capped at two per parcel elsewhere unless a Minor Use Permit is approved. Hives must sit at least five feet from all property lines, face away from neighboring lots, and be screened by a six-foot barrier or elevated at least eight feet above ground. Keepers must requeen hives at least every two years to prevent swarming and must keep a water source on the property at all times so bees don't visit neighbors' pools or hose bibs. Colonies that swarm or become a nuisance are enforceable under Chapter 17.46.
Violations & Fines
Hives that swarm, exhibit defensive behavior, or draw neighbor complaints are declared a public nuisance and subject to abatement or removal under Chapter 17.46, Enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives am I allowed in West Sacramento?
Do hives need to be kept away from my property line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Sacramento
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