Ventura, CA Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)

Status in city: SBMC does not contain a backyard beekeeping ordinance comparable to the county's §8107-2.6.2. The county apiary inspector treats the city as 'no beekeeping' jurisdiction; residents asking about hives are referred to county-zoned property or commercial agricultural operations. State requirements that still apply: (1) Annual hive registration with the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner (Apiary Inspector) under FAC §29040 - failure to register is a misdemeanor. (2) Hive identification with owner name/address per FAC §29041. (3) Compliance with CDFA AHB management protocols (FAC §29200-29270) including requeening aggressive colonies. (4) Pesticide notification rules in CCR Title 3 §6650-6656 (applicators must notify the County Ag Commissioner before applying bee-toxic pesticides near registered apiaries). Honeybees themselves are not protected wildlife; they are managed agricultural livestock under CDFA. If a resident wishes to host hives, they must (a) obtain a written zoning determination from Ventura Planning, and (b) register with the County. Adjacent unincorporated parcels (under Ventura County jurisdiction) follow §8107-2.6.2: up to 4 colonies on 10,000+ sq ft lots, 25-foot setback from property line (or 8-foot solid barrier), water source provided, hives sited away from public ways, owner contact posted, and aggressive-behavior triggers (2+ bees striking a person at 15 ft front or 5 ft side/rear) require requeening.