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Santa Cruz County Beekeeping Regulations

Local beekeeping rules for Santa Cruz County and 4 cities: setback distances, hive limits, registration, and a link to each current municipal code.

Read this first. This is a convenience summary compiled from public municipal codes as of 2020. Rules change — this is not legal advice. Always confirm with your city or county and the official code before keeping bees.
Statewide, California requires apiary registration with your county agricultural commissioner (register at BeeWhere: https://beewhere.calagpermits.org/). Local city/county rules below are in addition to state law.

Santa Cruz

county

Registration with CA state department required.

Code: Chapter 7.32 BEES AND BEEHIVES
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation → Check the current regulation →

Capitola

city

Every animal shall be kept in a manner so as not to offend or endanger any neighbor. In the agricultural district, all normally domesticated animals, including bees, are permitted

Code: 17.81.060 Animals.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Santa Cruz

city
20 ft
from property line
2
hive limit

An administrative use permit shall be required.

Code: 24.12.650 BEES (APIARIES).
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Scotts Valley

city
25 ft
from property line
1 or 2
hive limit

Permit required. See municipal code for additional regulations.

Code: 17.46.125 - Beekeeping permits issued by the community development director.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →

Watsonville

city
100 ft
from property line
25 ft
from buildings
2
hive limit

See municipal code for additional regulations.

Code: 6-1.507 Bees.
Last verified: 2020 — confirm at the source.
Check the current regulation →
Compiled from public municipal codes, originally referenced by the California Master Beekeeper Program (2020) and re-presented for easier lookup. Verify every rule against the linked official code before keeping bees. Not legal advice.

Other counties: Alameda · Alpine · Amador · Butte · Calaveras · Colusa · Contra Costa · Del Norte · see all 58 →