Pets, chickens and bees in Santa Clara: the local rules

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

What Santa Clara's code says

Santa Clara code What Santa Clara's code adds
Bees	Yes; no more than 2 hives per lot, unless the City Manager agrees in writing to more. § 6.28.030 · code text No more than two hives may be maintained on any lot or parcel, unless the City Manager, in his or her sole discretion, consents in writing to a higher amount. Hives at least 10 feet from side property lines, and not in required front or side setbacks. Applies: Closer only with written permission of the neighboring owner or occupant. § 6.28.030 · code text No hive may be kept or maintained within ten feet of any side property line on the lot or parcel upon which such hives are situated, or within twenty (20) feet of any dwelling unit other than that occupied by the person maintaining the hive or hives, unless the owner or persons in possession of the adjacent property have given written permission to the location of such apiary at a closer distance. Hives at least 20 feet from any home other than the beekeeper's. Applies: Closer only with written permission of the neighboring owner or occupant. § 6.28.030 · code text No hive may be kept or maintained within ten feet of any side property line on the lot or parcel upon which such hives are situated, or within twenty (20) feet of any dwelling unit other than that occupied by the person maintaining the hive or hives, unless the owner or persons in possession of the adjacent property have given written permission to the location of such apiary at a closer distance. Hives at least 20 feet from any public road. Applies: Applies to public roads. § 6.28.030 · code text No hive may be located closer than twenty (20) feet from any public road. Hives must be surrounded by a solid fence at least 6 feet high, no farther than 30 feet away. Applies: Entrances must face a building on site; fence not needed if hives are over 10 feet up on a building or a second-story-or-higher roof. § 6.28.030 · code text All hives must be oriented so that their entrances face a house or building on the premises and must be surrounded by a solid fence not less than six feet in height, located no farther than thirty (30) feet from such hives.
Large animals	Horses must be kept in an enclosure at least 40 feet from any inhabited or habitable home. Applies: Applies to horses. § 6.15.040 · code text No horse shall be kept or maintained within the city except in an enclosure the outer limits of which shall be at least forty (40) feet from any inhabited or habitable dwelling.
Pet limit	No more than 3 adult dogs and cats in total, over 4 months old, per street address. § 6.30.020 · code text No person shall keep or maintain more than a total of three adult dogs and/or cats (any combination) over four months of age, at any street address. No more than 1 unspayed female dog or 1 unspayed female cat per street address. § 6.30.020 · code text No person shall keep or maintain more than one unspayed female dog or one unspayed female cat, at any street address.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Santa Clara allows at most 3 adult dogs and cats combined and 2 bee hives per lot, more hives only with City Manager consent.

Pets, chickens and bees in Santa Clara

Key points

What Santa Clara's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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