Beekeeping in San Diego City, California

Hive limit: No fixed maximum, but three or more hives triggers a 600 ft separation from other residences, so two is the practical limit on a city lot.

Note: San Diego allows beekeeping and has done so in detail since 1977, but read the hive count first, because the rules split hard at three hives. Keep two or fewer and you are in the backyard tier: set the hive at least 15 feet from the property line and 20 feet from the street (or your zoning setbacks if those are larger), put a six-foot barrier around it unless you raise it eight feet off the ground, keep it out of sight from the street and secured, point the entrance at your most distant property line and away from walkways, paint the box a pale colour, and requeen at least every two years. Go to three hives and a 600-foot separation from every other residence kicks in, which on an ordinary city lot cannot be met, so two is the practical limit. Register with the County Agricultural Commissioner within 30 days of starting, not just in January, since that 30-day clock is the city adding to the state rule. Keep a shovel and a fire extinguisher by the hive while you work it, keep water with a float valve within ten feet, and if you move hives during daylight the bees have to be screened into the vehicle.

• Register the apiary with the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner within 30 days of establishing it, and re-register every January thereafter. 44.0404
• Only docile Apis mellifera species (honey bees) are permitted. 44.0406
• An apiary of three or more beehives must be at least 600 feet from a building used as a residence other than the one on the same premises, and at least 100 feet from the public right-of-way. 44.0408(a)
• The apiary must sit outside all zoning setbacks required by Chapter 13 Article 1, or 15 feet from the property line and 20 feet from all public rights-of-way, whichever is greater. 44.0408(b)(1)
• A barrier at least 6 feet tall must surround the hive, leaving room to work it, unless the hive is elevated at least 8 feet above grade. 44.0408(b)(2)
• The hive must not be visible from the public right-of-way and must be in a location secured against unauthorised access. 44.0408(b)(3)-(4)
• The hive entrance must face the most distant property line, and face away from entrances and walkways on the premises so far as that is possible. 44.0408(b)(5)-(6)
• The hive structure must be a pale colour, and the hive must be requeened at least once every two years. 44.0408(b)(7)-(8)
• It is unlawful to place or keep an apiary on land you do not own or possess without the permission of the owner or lawful possessor. 44.0410
• An apiary on premises other than where the owner resides must display a sign on its entrance side giving the owner name, address and telephone number in black letters at least one inch high on a contrasting background. 44.0411
• Hives may not be transported between sunrise and sunset unless the bees are confined to the vehicle by screen or equally effective means. 44.0412
• A firebreak at least 30 feet wide must surround the apiary: vegetation cut to 6 inches within the innermost 10 feet and to 12 inches across the remaining 20. It does not apply in a residential zone unless the Fire Department finds it necessary. 44.0413(a)
• Hives must be located within Brush Management Zone One as defined by Municipal Code section 142.0412. 44.0413(b)
• A shovel and a fire extinguisher (2 1/2 gallon water-under-pressure or 5 gallon back-pump type) must be kept in working order near the apiary whenever the keeper is attending it. A garden hose connected to water may substitute for the extinguisher. 44.0414
• A bee smoker must be plugged with metal or hardwood while being carried to or from an apiary, its contents extinguished with water, or else carried in a covered metal container fastened to the vehicle. 44.0415
• A water supply with a float valve or similar device must be maintained within 10 feet of each apiary, adequate and accessible for the bees. 44.0416
• The division does not apply to an apiary kept inside a school building or museum for study or observation, or inside a physician office or laboratory for medical or scientific purposes. 44.0419