Yolo County’s annual nut buying period will begin August 1, 2026, and continue through April 1, 2027. The period is established under the county’s nut theft ordinance and applies to unprocessed almonds, walnuts and pistachios.

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance in 2014 to help deter the theft of nuts from orchards and their illegal sale. The annual nut buying period supports enforcement of the ordinance through compliance checks at locations where nuts are bought and sold.

During the nut buying period, anyone in possession of unprocessed almonds, walnuts or pistachios must have Proof of Ownership documentation. The documentation must remain with the nuts while they are in that person’s possession.

When probable cause exists, the Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner or a peace officer may inspect the nuts and request Proof of Ownership. The documentation must include:

• The name, address, telephone number and signature of the seller
• The name, address, telephone number and signature of the buyer
• The seller’s vehicle license plate number
• The seller’s driver’s license number
• The weight of the nuts purchased
• The date and time of the transaction
• The variety and condition of the nuts
• The source of the nuts

When the seller is the grower, the source information must include the address where the nuts were grown. When the seller is not the grower, it must include the name, address and telephone number of the person who supplied the nuts. The address where the nuts were grown must also be included when known.

Proof of Ownership forms are available from the Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 120 West Main Street, Suite D, in Woodland. Forms are also available from the Yolo County Farm Bureau at 69 W. Kentucky Avenue in Woodland.

For more information, contact the Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at (530) 666-8140.