CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the first reading on an ordinance amending Section 10-4-7 (Bee Keeping) of the Naperville Municipal Code
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Louden, Director of TED
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Not required
BACKGROUND:
During Public Forum at the June 16, 2026 City Council meeting, a member of the public requested that Naperville’s existing beekeeping ordinance be re-evaluated based on impacts to neighboring properties. In response, the City Council directed staff to evaluate the beekeeping ordinances of surrounding communities and provide a report at an upcoming meeting.
Background Regarding Naperville’s Beekeeping Ordinance
In 2016, staff prepared an ordinance establishing the City’s beekeeping regulations in response to complaints regarding bees being kept on existing residential (and limited commercial) properties. Prior to 2016, ordinances did not expressly permit or prohibit beekeeping operations.
To prepare the proposed ordinance in 2016, staff researched the beekeeping regulations of surrounding municipalities. The following regulations were recommended to accommodate the desire for beekeeping while also minimizing the impact on neighboring properties:
• Permit beekeeping in all zoning districts except for multi-family
• Permit a maximum of two hives per property
• Prohibit hives from being located in the front yard
• Require hives to be placed at least 15’ from any property line
• Require a solid 6’ tall fly away fence if the hive is located within 100’ of another occupied structure and/or 150’ of a school property
• Require a 4’ tall fence around the hive or entire property
• Require all colonies to be registered with the State of Illinois
• Require neighbor notice and a sign on the property
An ordinance incorporating the above regulations was presented to the City Council for a first reading on October 18, 2016; eight members of the public spoke against the proposed amendment and one in favor. Based upon Council direction to staff following public input, staff revised the proposed ordinance to:
• Eliminate fencing requirements
• Eliminate signage and notice requirements
• Replace the two-hive limit with a sliding scale to permit:
o Up to 3 hives on properties less than ¼ acre in size
o Up to 6 hives on properties between ¼ and ½ acre in size
o Up to 10 hives on properties greater than ½ acre in size
When the revised ordinance was presented on November 1, 2016, prior to its passage, Council further amended the ordinance to:
• Reduce the required setback from 15’ to 5’
The approved ordinance has been in place since 2016 as Section 10-4-7 (Beekeeping) of the Naperville Municipal Code.
DISCUSSION:
Based on City Council direction at the June 16, 2026 meeting, staff researched the beekeeping ordinances of surrounding municipalities (see attached summary). Staff additionally found “Best Management Practices for Beekeeping in Illinois” as issued by the Illinois State Beekeepers Association (attached).
Based on a review of the information gathered, many of the original October 2016 ordinance components are currently utilized in surrounding communities and recommended as a best practice.
Accordingly, staff has prepared an amended ordinance for City Council consideration which:
• Reinstitutes fencing, neighbor notice, and signage requirements
• Increases the required setback from 5’ to 15’
• Requires flight paths into the hive to remain within the owner’s lot
• Requires an on-property water source for the bees
Effective Date
Staff is proposing that the amended ordinance be effective immediately for any new apiaries established after passage of the amendments. Any apiaries currently in existence that were legally established in accordance with Section 10-4-7 shall be provided six months from the date of ordinance passage to comply with the amended code. Staff finds that this time period is necessary to facilitate movement of the hives (which is recommended for cool months), any new registration required from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and any permits/construction necessary for fencing and landscaping.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A