Pets, chickens and bees in Sunnyvale: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Sunnyvale's code says

Sunnyvale code What Sunnyvale's code adds
Bees	Up to 5 hives per lot. Applies: Except agricultural use in any zone under a use permit. § 6.08.010 · code text No more than five hives shall be maintained on any one lot or parcel of land except that this condition shall not apply to any agricultural use within any zone pursuant to a use permit. Hives at least 25 feet from side and rear lot lines and 100 feet from other homes, whichever is stricter. § 6.08.010 · code text No hive shall be kept or maintained within twenty-five feet of any side or rear property line of the lot or parcel of land upon which situated, as those property lines are determined pursuant to Title 19, or within one hundred feet of any dwelling unit, other than that occupied by the person maintaining the hives, whichever distance is greater and more restrictive. Allowed in front-yard areas only if at least 100 feet from the street right-of-way edge. Applies: Applies to the area between the main building's front face and the street. § 6.08.010 · code text No hive shall be kept or maintained on any parcel or lot between the line of the front face of the main building extended and the street adjoining the front yard as defined in Title 19, unless such hive is located not closer than one hundred feet from the edge of the street right-of-way. A solid fence at least 6 feet high, no more than 30 feet from the hives. Applies: Applies to hives not on a building or structure with entrances more than 10 feet up. § 6.08.010 · code text All hives shall be oriented so that the entrance faces the house or building occupied by the person maintaining the hives, and shall be surrounded by a solid fence not less than six feet in height, located no farther than thirty feet from such hives. Allowed if entrances are more than 10 feet above ground and face a house or building on site. Applies: Applies to hives on or attached to a building or structure. § 6.08.010 · code text This condition may be met by locating such hives upon or affixed to a building or structure so that their entrances are more than ten feet from the ground and face a house or building on the premises.
Large animals	Livestock are not allowed in any R district. § 6.09.010 · code text No person shall keep any livestock in any R district as defined in Title 19.
Pet limit	Up to 4 adult dogs and cats combined, for example 2 dogs and 2 cats. Applies: Per dwelling unit. § 6.02.020 · code text It is unlawful for any person to maintain, at any dwelling unit, more than any of the following combination of dogs and cats:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Sunnyvale?

Sunnyvale's code: Up to 5 hives per lot. (Except agricultural use in any zone under a use permit.) (§ 6.08.010); Hives at least 25 feet from side and rear lot lines and 100 feet from other homes, whichever is stricter. (§ 6.08.010).

Pets, chickens and bees in Sunnyvale

What Sunnyvale's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Sunnyvale property

More on building on your lot in Sunnyvale