Beekeeping — Fire Safety
San Diego Municipal Code § 44.0413
in effect§44.0413 Beekeeping — Fire Safety
(a) An apiary comprising three or more beehives shall also include a firebreak not less than 30 feet wide around such apiary, which firebreak shall meet the following specifications:
(1) Within the 10 foot wide area closest to the apiary, all flammable or combustible vegetation or material shall be cut or trimmed to a height not greater than six inches above the ground; and
(2) Within the area 30 feet from the apiary and lying outside of the outside perimeter of the 10 foot wide area in subparagraph (1), all flammable or combustible vegetation or material shall be trimmed to a height not greater than 12 inches above the ground.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) shall not be construed to require the cutting or removal of individual live trees, unless such cutting or removal is required in writing by an officer or agency authorized by section 44.0417 to enforce section 44.0413.
(4) Subsection (a) shall not apply if the apiary is maintained in a residential zone area unless the Fire Department determines that a firebreak is necessary to protect the public safety.
(b) Every person owning, possessing or controlling an apiary comprising two or fewer beehives shall be required to locate the beehives within Brush management Zone One in accordance with San Diego Municipal Code section 142.0412 (Brush Management).
(“Beekeeping — Firebreak” added 6–8–1977 by O–12084 N.S.)
(Retitled to“Beekeeping — Fire Safety“ and amended 2-22-2012 by O-20137 N.S.; effective 3-23-2012.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter04/Ch04Art04Division04.pdf#page=3Fetched: 10/28/2026