Sensitive Sites

The San Diego County Beekeeping and Apiaries Ordinance contains a provision for certain locations to be designated as “sensitive sites” that require managed honey bees to be kept at greater distances from these sites as a safety precaution. Some locations are automatically considered sensitive sites by the ordinance.

These sites are areas where seniors, children, individuals with medical conditions, or confined animals inhabit or frequent that are more at risk if stinging incidents were to occur. These automatic sensitive sites are locations such as (but not limited to) schools, playgrounds, picnic areas, outdoor sports facilities, daycare centers, senior care and medical facilities, kennels, and horse-boarding facilities.

Opt-in Sensitive Sites

The ordinance also allows for “Opt-in Sensitive Sites" for residential and business properties that have a demonstrable safety need to become sensitive sites.

Opt-in sensitive sites are intended for property operators, owners, or residents who have medical reasons that make them at risk for bee stings, such as limited mobility or hypersensitivity to bee stings. Additionally, businesses with employees who are at risk or have operations where bees could cause a nuisance may also apply. Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis and are approved at the discretion of the County Agricultural Commissioner.

To become an Opt-in Sensitive Site, please contact Labs.AWM@sdcounty.ca.gov or (858) 614-7738.

Submit an Opt-In Sensitive site application to our office for review: