San Francisco Beekeeping Laws

[!CAUTION] San Francisco has high density. Nuisance complaints are taken seriously by the Department of Public Health.

San Francisco supports sustainable urban agriculture. The local legal framework—primarily San Francisco Health Code Article 9—permits responsible urban beekeeping without requiring specific permits. However, beekeepers must follow best practices to prevent public nuisance complaints.

Permit Requirements and Enforcement

Are Permits Required? No. San Francisco does not require a special permit to keep honey bees on private property.

“The keeping of bees of the genus Apis in hives is not a nuisance, per se…” (SF Health Code Art 9, Sec 581)

Complaint-Based Enforcement: SF enforces rules on a complaint basis. The Department of Public Health (DPH) investigates complaints of aggressive bees, swarming, or overcrowding. Officials can issue citations or order the removal of problematic hives.

Public Land: Beekeeping on community gardens or public property does require approval/permits from the managing agency.

Best Practices (SFBA Guidelines)

The San Francisco Beekeepers Association (SFBA) Guidelines are widely accepted as the standard of care.

1. Hive Placement

• Entrances should face away from property lines.
• Use fences/hedges to direct flight paths upward (flyway barriers).
• Avoid high-traffic areas.

2. Hive Density

• Recommended: Maximum of two hives per standard 25′×100′ lot.
• Overcrowding increases aggressive behavior and swarm risk.

3. Colony Temperament

• Use queens bred for docility and local adaptability.
• Aggressive hives must be re-queened immediately.

4. Swarm Management

• Inspect frequently (April-July).
• Prevent swarming via splits.
• If a swarm escapes, attempt to retrieve it or call the SFBA Swarm Hotline.

5. Water

• Provide a dedicated water source on your property to keep bees out of neighbor’s pools.

Liability

Beekeepers are not automatically liable for bees, but negligence matters.

Public Health Nuisance: An aggressive or mismanaged hive can be declared a nuisance by DPH, leading to removal orders. Civil Claims: Neighbors may sue if swarms damage property or if aggressive bees limit their use of space. Following SFBA guidelines is a strong defense against negligence claims.

Summary Table

Legal Aspect	Status in San Francisco
Permit Required?	❌ No (except public land)
Enforcement Agency	SF Dept of Public Health (DPH)
Recommended Limit	2 hives per standard lot
Swarming Liability?	✅ Beekeeper may be liable if negligent
Are Honey Bees a Nuisance?	❌ Not per se, unless mismanaged