Santa Barbara, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

The City of Santa Barbara allows beekeeping but regulates the placement and keeping of hives under Municipal Code Title 6 (Animal Control), which covers the care and keeping of animals including apiaries. Beekeepers should confirm hive number limits, lot-size conditions, and setback distances directly with the City before installing hives, as these are set by ordinance and by the property's zoning. Separately, California law imposes a statewide registration duty that applies inside the City: under Food and Agricultural Code Section 29040, every person who owns or possesses an apiary must register it with the county agricultural commissioner where the bees are kept. Registration is due on January 1 each year (or within 30 days thereafter) and applies regardless of the number of colonies, the purpose, or hive type. The annual registration fee is ten dollars, but hobbyist beekeepers with nine or fewer hives who are not in the business of beekeeping are exempt from the fee, though they must still file the registration. California now uses the BeeWhere online platform for apiary registration. Because honeybees are common in Santa Barbara, neighbors' concerns are typically handled as nuisance issues; responsible siting, water sources, and screening help avoid disputes.