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Santa Maria · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Santa Maria

Santa Maria's own rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Santa Maria Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Santa Maria's code says

Santa Maria code What Santa Maria's code adds
Bees
  • Yes, no more than 4 hives.
    Applies: Applies to lots smaller than 10,000 square feet.
    § 5-3.703 · code text
    No more than four hives shall be maintained on lots having less than 10,000 square feet in area.
  • Up to 4 hives, plus 1 more for each 5,000 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to lots larger than 10,000 square feet.
    § 5-3.703 · code text
    On lots having more than 10,000 square feet in area, no more than one additional hive may be maintained for each 5,000 square feet of additional lot area.
  • Yes. Hives must be at least 10 feet from property lines, unless kept 8 feet or more above the ground.
    § 5-3.703 · code text
    No hives shall be located within 10 feet of any property line except when situated and maintained eight feet or more above adjacent ground level.
Permit
  • Registration with the County Agricultural Commissioner is required.
    Applies: Applies to each bee colony.
    § 5-3.702 · code text
    Each colony shall be registered with the County Agricultural Commissioner.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Santa Maria?

Santa Maria's code: Yes, no more than 4 hives. (Applies to lots smaller than 10,000 square feet.) (§ 5-3.703); Up to 4 hives, plus 1 more for each 5,000 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet. (Applies to lots larger than 10,000 square feet.) (§ 5-3.703).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Santa Maria's pets, chickens and bees rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Santa Maria Municipal Code — full text