Beekeeping & Apiary Information
General Information
The primary mission of the Apiary Program is to safeguard the California honeybee industry and to gather statistics for the annual Crop Report.
Beekeeping is a very important part of the agricultural industry. Bee products, such as honey, wax and pollen, may be important commodities; but, more importantly, bees provide pollination for fresh produce and help sustain ecosystems. Beekeepers are found throughout Los Angeles County in urban and rural settings and fall into two categories: hobbyists and commercial beekeepers.
Be a responsible beekeeper Click Here for helpful backyard beekeeping tips.
In accordance with Section 29043 of the California Food and Agricultural Code, all beekeepers are required to register their apiary with the Agricultural Commissioner of the county in which the bees are kept. Prior to registering, all beekeepers must verify with their city to determine if beekeeping is allowed.
Annual Apiary Registrations must be submitted by January 1st of each year, or when the apiary first enters the county.
Annual Apiary Information
How to complete and submit your Annual Apiary Registration
Check your city’s online ordinances and contact the respective City Land Use or Zoning Code Enforcement department to determine if a beekeeping permit or approval is required.
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- Click Here to view Beekeeping Ordinances in Cities of Los Angeles County.
- LA County will not accept registrations if beekeeping is not allowed in your city.
Register and pay annual fee on BeeWhere
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- Use the link to be directed to BeeWhere. https://beewhere.calagpermits.org
- Click Here for a walkthrough on how to create an account and register on BeeWhere.
- Please print your certificate and attach it to the county’s Annual Apiary Registration Form.
Fill out the Annual Apiary Registration Form
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- Click Here to download the Annual Apiary Registration Packet.
- The packet includes general information, the Annual Apiary Registration Form, and an Apiary Owner and Property Owner Agreement Form to be completed and mailed to our office.
- Click Here to download the Annual Apiary Registration Packet.
Gather the Required Documents
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- City permit or approval, if required.
- BeeWhere Annual Registration Certificate.
- Annual Apiary Registration Form.
- Apiary Owner and Property Owner Agreement Form, if applicable.
Mail the completed registration documents to:
Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights & Measures Attention: Apiary Program 12300 Lower Azusa Road Arcadia, CA 91006-5872
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the beekeeping registration process, please call the Apiary Program Office at (626) 459-8894 or (626) 459-8895