Beekeeping: Concord vs Pittsburg
How do beekeeping rules compare between Concord, CA and Pittsburg, CA?
Concord and Pittsburg have similar restriction levels.
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 →Pittsburg, CA
Contra Costa County
Beekeeping in Pittsburg is allowed on single-family residential lots with setback requirements from property lines and public rights-of-way. Hives must be registered with the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food & Ag Code §29040.
View full Pittsburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Concord | Pittsburg |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | CA Food & Ag Code §29040 (County Ag Commissioner) | - |
| Typical Hive Limit | 2 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft | - |
| Setback | ~5 ft property line, flyway barrier if <25 ft | - |
| Water Source | Required on-site | - |
| County Authority | Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture | - |
| State registration | - | CA Food & Ag §29040 |
| Registration body | - | Contra Costa County Ag Commissioner |
| Typical setback | - | 15-25 feet |
| Flyway barrier | - | 6-foot fence/hedge |
| Water source | - | Required on-site |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Pittsburg FAQ
How many hives can I keep on a typical Pittsburg lot?
Standards vary by lot size; most residential guidance allows about 2 hives on lots under 5,000 square feet, with increases on larger parcels. Confirm with Planning before installing.
Do I need to tell my neighbors I'm keeping bees?
Formal notice is not required by ordinance, but it is strongly encouraged. Registered apiaries also receive pesticide-spray notifications from the County Ag Commissioner.
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