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Ventura County · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Ventura County

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

Ask about pets, chickens and bees in Ventura County See coverage

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

What Ventura County's code says

Ventura County code What Ventura County's code adds
Bees
  • Yes; at most 2 beehives.
    Applies: Backyard beekeeping on lots of at least 10,000 square feet; not in front yards; at least 10 feet from side and rear lines.
    § 8107-2.6.2 · code text
    | 2 | 10,000 sq. ft. | Not Allowed | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 150 ft. |
  • Yes; at most 3 beehives.
    Applies: Backyard beekeeping on lots of at least 20,000 square feet; not in front yards; at least 20 feet from side and rear lines.
    § 8107-2.6.2 · code text
    | 3 | 20,000 sq. ft. | Not Allowed | 20 ft. | 50 ft. | 20 ft. | 50 ft. | 300 ft. |
  • Yes; at most 4 beehives.
    Applies: Backyard beekeeping on lots of at least 1 acre; not in front yards; at least 50 feet from side and rear lines.
    § 8107-2.6.2 · code text
    | 4 | 1 acre | Not Allowed | 50 ft. | 100 ft. | 50 ft. | 100 ft. | 450 ft. |
  • No hives on lots under 10,000 square feet; backyard beekeeping is limited to 4 hives.
    Applies: Backyard beekeeping in unincorporated areas outside the coastal zone.
    § 8107-2.6.2 · code text
    Backyard beekeeping is limited to a maximum of four (4) beehives pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 8107-2.6.2(d) below.
  • Allowed only in the OS, AE, RA and TP zones, at least 400 feet from any off-site home.
    Applies: Applies to beekeeping other than backyard beekeeping.
    § 8107-2.6.1 · code text
    This type of beekeeping is only allowed in the OS, AE, RA, and TP Zones.
Large animals
  • Up to 2 equine units.
    Applies: RO, RE and RA lots of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, with a waiver.
    § 8107-2.5.2 · code text
    Up to two (2) units of equines may be kept on RO, RE, and RA zoned lots of ten thousand (10,000) to twenty thousand (20,000) square feet if a waiver is obtained pursuant to Section 8111-1.1.2.
Permit
  • A Zoning Clearance is required.
    Applies: Applies to building any structure over 7 feet tall to house beehives.
    § 8107-2.6.2 · code text
    A Zoning Clearance is required for the construction of any structure over seven (7) feet tall to house beehive(s).
  • A Zoning Clearance is required.
    Applies: Keeping more pets than normally allowed, up to twice the number, on a lot of at least the zone's minimum size.
    § 8107-2.4.6 · code text
    A Zoning Clearance must be obtained from the Planning Division before bringing additional pet animals onto the property.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Ventura County?

Ventura County's code: Yes; at most 2 beehives. (Backyard beekeeping on lots of at least 10,000 square feet; not in front yards; at least 10 feet from side and rear lines.) (§ 8107-2.6.2); Yes; at most 3 beehives. (Backyard beekeeping on lots of at least 20,000 square feet; not in front yards; at least 20 feet from side and rear lines.) (§ 8107-2.6.2).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Ventura County Municipal Code — full text