LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 13Ch. 1Art. 14§ 29203 Apiary Pest Abatement Notice

§ 29203 Apiary Pest Abatement Notice

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 29203 Apiary Pest Abatement Notice

Key Takeaways

  • •If bugs or pests are found in beehives, the inspector will tell the owner in writing what the problem is and how to fix it by a certain time.
  • •The owner must fix the problem by the deadline given. If they don’t, they’re breaking the law.
  • •If the problem is really bad, the inspector can fix it right away or make the owner do it while the inspector watches.
  • •The inspector can also put a ‘hold’ on the beehives, meaning no one can move them until the problem is fixed.

Example

A beekeeper has hives in their backyard, and an inspector finds harmful bugs in them.

The inspector will write a note telling the beekeeper what bugs are in the hives and how to get rid of them, like by a certain date. If the beekeeper ignores the note and doesn’t fix the problem, they can get in trouble. If the bugs are spreading fast, the inspector might step in and fix it themselves or make the beekeeper do it right then and there. The inspector can also put up a sign saying the hives can’t be moved until the bugs are gone.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 29203 Apiary Pest Abatement Notice

(a) If infestation is found in an apiary, the inspector shall notify the owner, broker, or person in charge or possession of the apiary in writing. The notice shall state the nature of the pest infestation found and the manner in which the inspector has marked the hives or any part of the hives that contain evidence of the infestation and shall order the abatement of the infestation within a specified time. No person after receiving notice shall refuse or neglect to abate the infestation within the time specified in the notice or order. (b) If the inspector, in the inspector’s judgment, believes summary abatement is necessary, the inspector may do so, or require that abatement be performed under the inspector’s direct supervision. The inspector may also issue a hold order against the apiary, giving notice that the apiary is held to the owner or bailee and posting a copy of the hold order in a conspicuous place in the apiary. No person, who has been given notice of a hold order, shall move the apiary or any part of the apiary or any other bee equipment from the location unless authorized by the inspector, until the hold order is released. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 683, Sec. 18. (AB 719) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

infestationapiaryinspectorabatementhold order

Related Statutes

  • § 29206 American Foulbrood Notice Time
  • § 29209 Apiary Infestation Abatement Costs
  • § 29112 Apiary Pest Control Orders
  • § 29113 Apiary Movement Restrictions
  • § 29201 Apiary Inspection Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 29203.
View Official Source