Whittier, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Beekeeping is one area where Whittier sets its own, stricter rule rather than relying on the adopted LA County animal code. Whittier Municipal Code Chapter 8.20 (Beekeeping) contains a single operative section, 8.20.010, which reads in full: "No person shall keep, own or control bees in hives or otherwise in the city." There is no lot-size, hive-count, setback, or permit pathway; the keeping of bees is simply prohibited within the City of Whittier. Although the city's adopted LA County Code Title 10 references apiaries (LA County Chapter 10.76), Whittier's own ordinance controls: under Whittier Municipal Code Section 6.04.060, when the adopted county provisions conflict with the Whittier Municipal Code, the Whittier code prevails. So the local prohibition in 8.20.010 governs. This is notably stricter than many neighboring jurisdictions and than California's general framework, under which apiaries are registered with the county agricultural commissioner. Residents interested in hives would need to look outside the city limits, and unincorporated communities labeled "Whittier" (governed by LA County, not the city) are not subject to this particular ban.