Public Health Rules in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Santa Cruz County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Rodent Control

Feeding rats, mice, or other wild rodents and vermin in any outdoor public place in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, including streets, sidewalks, parks, and beaches, is prohibited under SCCC § 6.17.010. The rule targets the vector-control risk of rodent feeding stations and applies to adults who let a minor do the feeding too.

Santa Cruz County Wild Rodent Feeding Ban

Significant Restrictions

SCCC § 6.17.010

It is prohibited on any street or sidewalk, or in any other outdoor place open to the public including but not limited to parks and beaches, to feed any wild rodent or vermin, or to place or release food which may be consumed by wild rodents or vermin, without the express written permission of the Director. It is also prohibited for any adult to allow any minor in their care or custody to allow...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Syringe Disposal

Every pharmacy, medical office and other retailer or provider that sells or furnishes hypodermic needles, lancets or other sharps in unincorporated Santa Cruz County has had to run a free take-back program for used sharps since October 1, 2014, under Santa Cruz County Code § 7.64.020. The retailer or provider chooses between an in-store collection bin, a prepaid mail-back container, or a county-operated drop box.

Santa Cruz County Sharps Disposal Rules

Some Restrictions

Santa Cruz County Code § 7.64.020 (Sharps Management)

(A) Not later than October 1, 2014, every retailer and every provider of sharps in the unincorporated area of the County shall establish a system consistent with the requirements of this chapter for the collection of consumer-generated sharps waste for proper disposal during the retailer's or provider's normal hours of operation. (B) Each system established by a retailer or provider for the col...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Santa Cruz County ordinances

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