Santa Clarita, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone allowing hives by right
- NU1, NU2, NU3 (1+ hives)
- Permit needed
- Minor/conditional use permit in NU4-NU5
- Urban Residential zones (UR1-UR5)
- Beehives not permitted
- Sign required
- Owner name, address, phone number
- Sign spec
- Black letters, 1-inch minimum height
- Chapter 8.76 violation
- Misdemeanor
Summary
Beekeeping in Santa Clarita is governed by two code sections working together: Chapter 8.76 requires identification signs on off-residence apiaries, while the Unified Development Code's Table of Allowable Land Uses at Section 17.46.010 confines hives to Non-Urban zones and bars them outright from every Urban Residential zone.
§ 8.76.020. Signs Identifying Premises and Owner Required. Every person maintaining an apiary on premises other than that of his residence shall identify such apiary by affixing a sign thereto showing the name of the owner or person in possession of the apiary, his address, his telephone number, if any, and if there is no telephone, a statement of that fact. ... § 8.76.030. Signs on Hives—Location and Description. Persons designated in Section 8.76.020 shall affix the required sign on the longer side of the hive or longer side of the super, prominently located on the entrance side of the apiary, and shall at all times maintain such sign thereon. Such signs shall be in black letters at least one inch in height on white or other contrasting color.
Full Breakdown
010's Table of Allowable Land Uses lists "Beehives" as an agricultural keeping-of-animals use type and splits it into one to three beehives and four or more beehives. One to three beehives are permitted by right ("P") in the NU1, NU2, and NU3 non-urban zones, but require a minor use permit ("M") in NU4 and NU5. Four or more beehives are still permitted by right in NU1 through NU3, but the table upgrades NU4 and NU5 to a conditional use permit ("C"). Every Urban Residential zone, UR1 through UR5, along with the commercial, business park and industrial zones, is marked "X" for both hive counts, meaning beehives are not an allowed use at all on standard suburban residential lots. 040. Both chapters trace to Ordinance 91-29 (animal chapters) and the 2013 Unified Development Code adoption for the zoning table.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 8.76 violations, such as a missing or noncompliant identification sign, are a misdemeanor under Section 8.76.050. Keeping hives in a zone where the Table of Allowable Land Uses marks the use "X" or operating without the required minor or conditional use permit in NU4/NU5 is a zoning violation enforceable through the city's development code compliance process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep bees in a Santa Clarita subdivision?
Do I need a permit for a small apiary?
Does Santa Clarita require a sign on beehives?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clarita
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