Santa Barbara County, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Santa Barbara County's Land Use & Development Code (Chapter 35), Section 35.42.060 (Animal Keeping), expressly lists bees among "small non-hoofed animals, including bees, birds, fowl and poultry, rabbits." In the animal-keeping tables for agricultural and residential zones, this category is an exempt use requiring no land use permit, with no stated maximum number, provided it is limited to reasonable family use on a non-commercial basis; a Minor Conditional Use Permit is required where beekeeping rises to a commercial operation. The general standards of Subsection F apply: enclosures for such animals must be located no closer than 25 feet to any dwelling located on another lot, and the activity must not be injurious to neighborhood health, safety, or welfare or create offensive noise or odor as determined by the Director after advice from the Public Health Department. Beekeepers should note that California's Food & Agricultural Code (apiary provisions) separately requires registration of apiaries with the county agricultural commissioner. These zoning standards apply to unincorporated Santa Barbara County only.