Chicago Urban Beekeeping Ordinances

[!IMPORTANT] Chicago beekeepers must comply with both City and State regulations. State registration is mandatory.

Chicago is known as a very bee-friendly city, with hives famously atop City Hall. However, regulation is layered between the state of Illinois and the city itself.

Registration with the State (Illinois Department of Agriculture)

Under the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act, any person keeping honeybees in Illinois is legally required to register annually with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Registration is free and helps the state monitor colony health and prevent the spread of disease.

Key Legal Requirements:

• Annual registration is mandatory for anyone keeping one or more bee colonies.
• Failure to register can classify the colony as a public nuisance, allowing the Department to order removal or destruction.
• Registration enables access to inspections by state apiary inspectors.

Beekeepers in Chicago must comply with this state requirement, regardless of any local city policy.

Zoning: Where Beekeeping Is Allowed

Beekeeping is governed locally by the Chicago Zoning Ordinance, which permits beekeeping as an “accessory use” under the zoning definition of Apiary.

“Apiary (limited to 5 colonies on a zoning lot as accessory use).” — Chicago Municipal Code §17-17-0270.7

This means:

• You can keep bees in residential, commercial, or institutional zones as long as it is not the main activity on the property.
• No separate zoning variance is required, as long as the total number of colonies does not exceed 5.
• Beekeeping must not interfere with nuisance regulations.

Colony Limits: Up to 5 Colonies per Property

The Chicago Municipal Code limits beekeeping to no more than five (5) colonies on a single zoning lot.

• Up to 5 colonies = allowed by right.
• More than 5 colonies = zoning violation.

This limit serves as a practical threshold; generally, if you stay under this limit and manage responsibly, you are less likely to face nuisance complaints.

Flyway Barriers

While Chicago does not explicitly mandate flyway barriers by ordinance, responsible beekeeping practices strongly recommend using a 6-foot-high barrier near property lines.

If your hives are located within 25 feet of any property boundary, you should install a 6-foot flyway barrier (fence or hedge). This forces bees to fly upward, avoiding contact with neighbors and minimizing nuisance risks.

Nuisance Considerations

Both the state Act and Chicago’s general regulations authorize action against any apiary deemed a public nuisance.

You may be in violation if:

• Bees become aggressive or swarm neighbors.
• Hives are not registered.
• You exceed the five-hive limit.
• You fail to prevent disease.

To avoid this: Maintain gentle colonies, provide water, and prevent swarming.

Summary

Category	Regulation/Requirement
Registration	Mandatory annual registration with Illinois Dept. of Agriculture
Zoning	Beekeeping allowed in any zone as accessory use; no special permit needed
Colony Limit	Maximum of 5 colonies per zoning lot
Flyway Barrier	Recommended: 6-foot fence or hedge near lot line; not legally mandated by Chicago
Nuisance Standard	Applies if bees are unmanaged, unregistered, or interfere with neighbors