sonoma county beekeepers association

Request for Formal Zoning Code Interpretation

Urban Beekeeping in Santa Rosa

The Sonoma County Beekeepers Association (SCBA) respectfully requests a formal interpretation of the Santa Rosa Zoning Code that affirms the permissibility of beekeeping—particularly in residential zones. Many residents, including ourselves, were unaware that beekeeping might be considered prohibited, as this is not explicitly stated in the zoning code and appears inconsistent with the City's environmental and sustainability goals.

1. Beekeeping Is Not Explicitly Prohibited by Code

The Zoning Code does not expressly mention or forbid beekeeping. The lack of explicit prohibition leads many residents to reasonably interpret this omission as permission, especially in the context of similar permitted uses such as gardening and composting.

2. Beekeeping Appears Exempt from Restrictive Categories

Beekeeping does not clearly fall under livestock, home occupation, or nuisance insect categories:

• Livestock: Honey bees are not raised for meat, milk, or fiber. Cities such as Berkeley, San Francisco, and San Diego treat honey bees separately from livestock.
• Home Occupation: Hobbyist beekeeping is not a commercial enterprise and therefore is not automatically a home occupation.
• Nuisance Insects: Bees are not considered pests under City or State definitions; instead, they are protected pollinators regulated under State law (CA Food & Agriculture Code §29000 et seq.).

3. Beekeeping Is Comparable to Other Allowed Uses

Permitted activities like gardening, vermiculture, and composting share similar characteristics with beekeeping in terms of scale, impact, and community benefit. Beekeeping is even less impactful in many respects (no noise, odor, or waste).

4. Beekeeping Aligns with the General Plan

The Santa Rosa General Plan includes goals related to sustainability, biodiversity, urban greening, and local food system resilience. For example, Goal OSC-A promotes sustainable and climate-resilient practices that beekeeping directly supports.

SCBA’s Educational and Community Role

As an organization, SCBA is committed to safe, neighbor-conscious beekeeping practices. SCBA provides educational outreach about beekeeping, gardening, and creating pollinator gardens in the community through programs in public schools, local garden clubs, and events such as community fairs.

Given these exceptions and comparisons, we believe it is reasonable for residents to interpret beekeeping as an allowable and compatible use. We urge the Zoning Administrator to adopt a clear, affirmative interpretation that aligns with the City’s goals, clarifies resident rights, and protects access to sustainable, neighbor-friendly beekeeping.