Special Notice / Hearing: NONE
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Koren J. Widdel, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
Subject: Waiver of California Food and Agricultural Code Apiary Registration Fees for Hobbyist Beekeepers with nine or fewer colonies.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing a waiver of the apiary registration fee for hobbyist beekeepers maintaining fewer than nine colonies pursuant to Title 3, Section 2951 of the California Code of Regulations and Section 29044(a) of the California Food and Agricultural Code.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 20, 2025, Title 3, Section 2951 of the California Code of Regulations was updated to establish a new fee schedule for the registration of beehives, effective January 1, 2026. California Food and Agricultural Code ("FAC") Section 20944 mandates an annual statewide registration fee for each beekeeper, apiary owner, apiary operator, broker, or person in possession of any apiary.
FAC Section 29044(a) further provides that the Board of Supervisors of any county, with the approval of the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture ("CDFA"), may waive the registration fee for any beekeeper, apiary owner, apiary operator, or person who is a hobbyist, not engaged in the business of beekeeping, and who possesses nine or fewer colonies. Consistent therewith, on or about October 7, 2025, the CDFA issued a letter to "All County Agricultural Commissioners" in California which provides blanket approval for County Boards of Supervisors to waive the apiary registration fee for those who meet these criteria.
DISCUSSION:
For the reasons set forth herein, the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer recommends that this Board authorize a waiver of the apiary registration for hobbyist beekeepers in San Mateo County. Indeed, the majority of beekeepers in San Mateo County are hobbyists who maintain fewer than nine colonies. Implementing this waiver will redu...
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