TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Tracy Cleveland - Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures
REPORT BY: Jaspreet Faller - Staff Services Analyst
SUBJECT: Resolution waiving apiary registration fee for hobbyist beekeepers
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution authorizing a waiver of the registration fee for any beekeeper, apiary owner, apiary operator, or person that is a hobbyist, not engaged in the business of beekeeping and possesses nine or fewer colonies. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
On October 7, 2025, the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) issued an advisory letter to “All County Agricultural Commissioners” in California, providing blanket approval for County Board of Supervisors to waive the apiary registration fee payable to the CDFA for those who meet the criteria of hobbyist beekeepers, possessing nine or fewer colonies, pursuant to Title 3, Section 2951 of the California Code of Regulations.
Waiver of CDFA registration fees for hobbyist beekeepers is intended to encourage interaction and participation with our local hobbyists, reduce the regulatory burden on small scale operations, while supporting and promoting overall bee health. The CDFA registration fee for nine or fewer colonies is $10. Historically, this registration fee was payable to County Agricultural Commissioners, not the CDFA, and it is still listed in the County’s fee schedule.
Requested Action:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing waiving the CDFA registration fee for hobbyist beekeepers that possess nine or fewer colonies, direct the Agricultural Commissioner to convey the Board’s waiver to the CDFA, and direct the Chief Executive Officer or designee to update the County’s fee schedule consistent with the Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Additional Information |
This is an uncommon situation where the County has authority to waive a fee payable by members of the public to the State. Unlike other instances where the Board might consider eliminating or waiving County fees, there will be no fiscal impact to the County if the Board elects to waive the CDFA registration fees. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.