HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding ordinance changes to permit beekeeping in unincorporated Santa Barbara County, as follows: (EST. TIME: 30 MIN.) a) Direct the Agricultural Commissioner, in coordination with the Fire Department, the Director of Planning and Development, and other relevant County departments, to evaluate and develop amendments to the Santa Barbara County Code and applicable land-use regulations that would allow appropriately scaled beekeeping in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County; i) In developing the proposed amendments, evaluate appropriate standards related to apiary location, setbacks, hive density, parcel size, registration, water supply, fire safety, nuisance prevention, and the protection of neighboring properties and public rights-of-way; 1) Develop recommendations that recognize the agricultural and community benefits of managed honeybees while protecting native pollinators and sensitive habitats, including consideration of native pollinator habitat, native plantings, location-appropriate hive densities, and additional safeguards near ecologically sensitive areas; b) Direct Agricultural Commissioner staff to consult with local beekeepers, agricultural producers, native-pollinator or other interested stakeholders in developing the proposed amendments; c) Direct Agricultural Commissioner staff to return to the Board with recommended ordinance amendments, any associated environmental review, and an analysis of implementation, enforcement, staffing, and fiscal considerations within six months; and d) Determine that the above recommended actions is not subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) as it has no potential to cause a significant impact on the environment.

Departmental Agenda Agenda Ready Introduced September 10, 2026

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