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Report on the second reading and adoption of an ordinance amending Title 20 (Zoning) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code, revising Section 20.350.007 (Animal Keeping), to update beekeeping regulations. (Cecelia Mariscal, Associate Planner)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1. Waive further reading and adopt an Ordinance amending Title 20 (Zoning) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code revising Section 20.350.007 (Animal Keeping) to update beekeeping regulations.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On July 8, 2026, the City Council reviewed the draft ordinance amending Title 20 (Zoning) of the South San Francisco Municipal Code revising Section 20.350.007 (Animal Keeping), to update beekeeping regulations. Based on feedback and input from the City Council, the draft ordinance has been revised to reflect the following changes highlighted in yellow:
South San Francisco Municipal Code (SSFMC) Section 20.350.007(C)
1. It shall be the duty of every person or entity on whose property bees are kept to adhere to good management practices and maintain bees, which includes keeping the area within a 10-foot radius clear of low-hanging branches, tall weeds, and dense brush that may impede the bees flight path, conducting regular inspections of hives for parasites, pests, diseases, inadequate nutrition, overcrowding, and inadequate ventilation, in a condition that will reasonably prevent disease, swarming, and aggressive behavior.
SSFMC Section 20.350.007(C)(6)
a. Residential Districts. The beehive shall be a minimum of 25 feet away from the property line. The beehive entrance will be directed away from the neighboring property and situated behind a flyway barrier such as a solid fence or hedge between six to eight feet in height, that runs parallel to the property line. The flyway barrier shall be located three to five feet from hive entrance.
b. Non-Residential Districts. Hive stands shall be a minimum of 25 feet away from property lines, public seating areas, and pedestrian areas, and shall be screened by a flyway barrier, such as a fence, lattice or dense vegetation, between six and eight feet in height. The flyway barrier shall be located three to five feet from hive entrance. Hives located on a rooftop at least eight feet above grade do not require a flyway barrier.
7. Neighbor Notification. The applicant shall notify all neighbors of adjacent properties where a hive is proposed. This requirement is waived if the proposed hive is located 100 feet or more from a property line.
Additionally, a draft informational brochure, which will be available in Spanish, Tagalog, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English, about beekeeping regulations is attached to this report. Staff will finalize and publicize this information once the updated ordinance is in effect.
The City Council previously waived reading and introduced the following ordinance. The ordinance is ready for adoption.
1. Ordinance Amending Title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code to revise Section 20.350.007 (Animal Keeping) to update beekeeping regulations.
(Introduced on 7/8/26, Vote 5-0-0)
Attachment:
1. Exhibit A- Draft Ordinance
2. Draft Beekeeping Informational Handout
Association:
1. Final Ordinance Zoning Text Amendment (26-1943)