Apiculture/beekeeping.

(a) General regulations. All beekeeping activities shall comply with the following:

1. State registration. The beekeeper must register the colonies and maintain valid registration with the Illinois Department of Agriculture or as otherwise required by the State of Illinois.

2. Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act. All beekeepers shall be in compliance with the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act, including, but not limited to having all hives accessible for state inspectors to check on a routine basis on their practice and schedule or as needed.

3. Fences. Any fencing used for beekeeping shall comply with Fences and Walls (citation needed for section below).

4. Water. Each beekeeper shall ensure a convenient source of water is available to the bees at all times during the year so the bees will not congregate at swimming pools, pet watering bowls, birdbaths, or other water sources where they may cause human, bird, or domestic pet contact.

5. General maintenance. Each beekeeper shall ensure that no bee comb or other materials might encourage robbing, are left upon the grounds of the apiary site. Upon their removal from the hive, all such materials shall promptly be disposed of in a sealed container or placed within a building or other bee-proof enclosure.

6. Maximum size for a single hive shall not exceed 20 cubic feet in size.

7. Apiary Location. Apiaries may only be located and maintained in residential districts with detached residences occupied by the Beekeeper.

1. Apiaries shall be located only in a rear yard at least sixty (40) feet from a front lot line.
2. Apiaries shall be located at least six (6) feet from a side property line.
3. Apiaries shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from a property line that abuts a street right-of-way.
4. Apiaries shall be located at least five (5) feet from a rear lot line that does not abut an alley.
5. Apiaries and Beehives shall not be permitted on rooftops or balconies.
6. Beekeepers shall not keep more than three (3) Colonies in their Apiary on any property.

8. Setbacks.

a. Where there is a wall, lattice or solid fence, dense hedge or bushes, or similar barrier between the subject property and adjacent property, no setback from the property line is required. Where there is no existing barrier between the two properties, hives shall be set back at least five feet from the property line.

b. No hive shall be closer than ten feet from a dedicated road, sidewalk, or path.

9. Flyway barriers. Any hive within 20 feet from the principle building of an abutting lot or from a dedicated road, sidewalk, or path, shall have a flyway barrier consisting of:

a. A lattice or solid fence, wall, or dense hedge or bushes at least six feet in height in front of the hive openings such that the bees fly upward and away from neighboring properties or dedicated roads, sidewalks or paths. An existing barrier described previously in this section may be acceptable.

b. Set no more than five feet from the hive openings.

c. Extend at least two feet in width from either side of the hive opening.