Santa Rosa is one step closer to legalizing backyard beekeeping, thanks to a campaign sparked by a 9-year-old boy and his 4-H project. The city has released a draft ordinance that would allow residents to keep hives in most neighborhoods, ending a year of legal gray areas that previously saw families facing code enforcement.
According to the Press Democrat, under the proposed rules, property owners could keep one or two colonies depending on lot size, provided the hives are placed in side or rear yards with barriers to direct bee flight paths upward. The ordinance also sets standards for hive maintenance and allows for small-scale sales of honey and beeswax.
Residents have until February 13th to review the draft and submit feedback to the city planning department. If approved by the City Council this summer, the new rules will replace current restrictions with a framework designed to support local pollinators while addressing neighborhood safety.
