California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.
Penal Code 25850 makes it a crime to carry a loaded firearm in any public place or street within an incorporated city. Penal Code 26350 prohibits open carry of unloaded handguns in public places, and Penal Code 26400 prohibits open carry of unloaded long guns in incorporated cities. These prohibitions are statewide and apply equally in every California jurisdiction. Limited exemptions exist for hunting, target practice on lawful ranges, security guards, and law enforcement. Localities cannot authorize open carry in violation of state law.
Violations are typically misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines under Penal Code 25850 and 26350.
Santa Cruz County, CA
Persistent barking dogs in unincorporated Santa Cruz County are enforced under SCCC Chapter 8.30 (Noise) and Title 6 (Animals). Barking audible 150 feet past...
Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County Code Chapter 8.30 (Noise) prohibits any offensive noise between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in unincorporated areas (including Aptos, Soquel, ...
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 10.40 (Stopping, Standing and Parking) prohibits any 'oversized vehicle' from parking on city streets or municipal lots bet...
Santa Cruz County, CA
Under SCCC Title 6 (Animals), chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, other fowl, rabbits, and guinea pigs are allowed in the unincorporated county only if they can...
Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County Code Title 6 (Animals) requires dogs to be under physical restraint - leash, tether, or in a person's grasp - whenever off the owner's prop...
Santa Cruz County, CA
More than half of Santa Cruz County residents live in the Wildland Urban Interface - one of the highest shares in California. CAL FIRE maps designate most ru...
See how Santa Cruz's open carry rules stack up against other locations.
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