Beekeeping & Apiary
Apiary Program Information
State law requires all apiaries to register with their hives during the month of January of each year. This regulation is meant to be beneficial to beekeepers as well as people who live and work near bee yards. It helps us know where hives are located, resolving bee-related complaints, and addressing issues concerning bees in our county.
On July 28, 1993, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved Resolution Number 93-393 waiving the Registration Fee for hobbyist beekeepers. A hobbyist beekeeper is defined as having less than 10 hives in the apiary. If you have 10 or more hives, you are commercial.
On May 14, 2019, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved Resolution Number 19-2466, establishing commercial apiary seasonal stocking limits, protection from encroachment by other commercial apiaries, and requiring a water supply to be provided. The full text may be found in the Nevada County Code.
Apiary Registration
Effective January 1, 2025, all apiary registrations are filed and maintained directly with CDFA through the BeeWhere Apiary Registration Apiary Registration Apiary Registration Apiary Registration Apiary Registration Apiary Registration webpage. The fees schedule was approved by regulation and went into effect March 20, 2025.
Registration Assessment Fee 3CCR 2951
1-9 colonies: $10, waived in Nevada County per BOS
10-49: $100
50+: $250
Broker: $250
BeeWhere can process credit cards and e-checks. If you prefer to pay by physical check, it may be mailed to CDFA at the address below. This option will have a much longer time horizon for the funds to clear. Be sure to include your State Beekeeper ID and Name along with the check.
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Cashier #224
PO Box 942882
Sacramento, CA 94271
The Nevada County Beekeepers Association operate the "Honeybee Hotline" where the public can report incidents of honeybee swarms. People may call the hotline at 530-675-2924 and a qualified beekeeper will retrieve and remove the swarm. Note this service is only for honeybees and does not include yellow jackets, bumblebees, hornets, or wasps.
**NEW** You can report a swarm by using this online link being used the Nevada County Beekeepers Association.
Swarms of honeybees are a natural phenomenon and should not cause alarm. Swarms are normally docile and not inclined to sting nearby people, but they should not be molested or disturbed. Above all, they should not be sprayed with pesticide or water. The hotline should be called immediately after a swarm settles or is discovered.
The hotline will also respond to questions or problems involving honeybees. If you leave a voice mail message, please be sure to leave a name and phone number so it can later be determined if the swarm is still in the original location. They can sometimes move on quickly. To call the Honeybee Hotline, dial 530-675-2924 and leave a message if necessary. If there is no response within four hours please call the alternate number, 530-265-3756.
"Do Not Spray" Signs
The County Department of Public Works is responsible for roadside spraying. If you want to get "Do Not Spray" signs for your frontage, you’ll need to complete an agreement with the Road Maintenance Division.