Beekeeping: Brentwood vs Concord
How do beekeeping rules compare between Brentwood, CA and Concord, CA?
Brentwood has fewer restrictions than Concord.
Brentwood, CA
Contra Costa County
Beekeeping is permitted in Brentwood on agricultural and most residential lots, with hive setback requirements from property lines and registration with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Ag Code §29040. Brentwood's orchard agriculture makes beekeeping especially compatible.
View full Brentwood rules →Concord, CA
Contra Costa County
Beekeeping is allowed in Concord on residential lots subject to setback and hive count limits. Hives must be registered with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Agricultural Code §29040. Typical rules require hives set back from property lines and a water source on-site to keep bees from neighboring yards.
View full Concord rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Brentwood | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| Ag zones | No hive limit | - |
| Residential limit | Typically 2-4 hives | - |
| Setback | 10-20 ft from property line | ~5 ft property line, flyway barrier if <25 ft |
| State registration | CCC Ag Commissioner (§29040) | - |
| Water source | Required on-property | - |
| Registration | - | CA Food & Ag Code §29040 (County Ag Commissioner) |
| Typical Hive Limit | - | 2 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft |
| Water Source | - | Required on-site |
| County Authority | - | Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Brentwood FAQ
Do I have to tell my neighbors before keeping bees?
Brentwood does not require neighbor notification, but it's strongly recommended. You must register hives with the Contra Costa Agricultural Commissioner within 30 days under Food & Ag Code §29040.
How do I register hives?
Contact the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner (Concord office) to file an annual apiary registration. The fee is nominal, and registration connects you to the state's pesticide-notification system.
Concord FAQ
Do I need to register my hives?
Yes. California Food & Ag Code §29040 requires annual apiary registration with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner.
How far from the fence do hives need to be?
Typically at least 5 feet, with a 6-foot flyway barrier (fence or dense hedge) required if hives are within 25 feet of the property line.
What if my neighbor's bees swarm my yard?
Ask the beekeeper to provide a water source and flyway barrier. Persistent nuisance swarms can be reported to Code Enforcement and the County Ag Commissioner.
Compare other topics
See how Brentwood and Concord compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool