Beekeeping: Mountain View vs Santa Clara
How do beekeeping rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Mountain View and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Mountain View allows hobby beekeeping on residential properties with hive setback and flyway requirements to minimize neighbor conflicts.
View full Mountain View rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara permits residential beekeeping with up to 2 hives per 5,000 square feet of lot area, requiring 20-foot setbacks from property lines and a water source under City Code Chapter 6.10.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Hives small lot | Up to 2 | - |
| Property line setback | 10 feet | - |
| Dwelling setback | 25 feet | - |
| Flyway barrier | 6 foot fence or hedge | - |
| County registration | Required | - |
| Density Allowance | - | 2 hives per 5,000 sq ft |
| Property Line Setback | - | 20 feet |
| Flyway Barrier | - | 6 feet if closer than setback |
| Water Source | - | Required on-site |
| County Registration | - | Agricultural Commissioner |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Do I need a city permit for backyard bees?
No local permit is required but you must register with Santa Clara County and follow setback rules.
Can a neighbor force me to remove hives?
Only if the colony is declared a nuisance due to aggression or code violation; properly kept hives are protected uses.
Santa Clara FAQ
How many beehives can I keep?
Up to 2 hives per 5,000 square feet of lot area, typically 2-4 hives on standard Santa Clara residential lots.
Do I need to register my hives?
Yes. California law requires registration with the County Agricultural Commissioner.
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