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 ...
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