Evanston permits residential beekeeping under Title 9 (Animals) of the City Code with registration and setback requirements. Beekeepers must register hives with the city and maintain them according to Illinois Department of Agriculture standards. Hives must be set back from property lines and a flyway barrier is required when hives are near neighboring yards.
Evanston allows beekeeping on residential property subject to conditions in its municipal code. Beekeepers must register their hives with the city and comply with the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act (510 ILCS 20), which requires registration with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Hives must be placed in rear yards only and set back at least 10 feet from any property line. When hives are within 25 feet of a neighboring property line, a flyway barrier (solid fence or dense hedge) at least 6 feet tall must be installed to direct bee flight paths upward. A maximum of 4 hives per residential lot is generally enforced. Each hive must have a constant water source on the property to prevent bees from seeking water on neighboring properties. Aggressive or Africanized bee colonies must be requeened immediately. Hive management must follow best practices to minimize swarming, including regular inspection and timely addition of supers. The Illinois Department of Agriculture conducts periodic inspections and may order destruction of diseased colonies under the Bees and Apiaries Act.
Failure to register hives may result in a notice to comply and fines starting at $75 per day. Maintaining nuisance bee colonies that cause complaints can lead to orders to remove hives. Violations of the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act, such as failing to manage disease, can result in state-ordered destruction of colonies. Repeat code violations carry escalating fines up to $500.
Evanston, IL
Evanston City Code Title 9 prohibits dogs from barking, howling, or making noise continuously for 15 or more minutes, or intermittently for 30 or more minute...
Evanston, IL
Evanston restricts leaf blower use to the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. Both gas and electric leaf ...
Evanston, IL
Evanston regulates noise from commercial and industrial operations near residential areas. The city's noise ordinance sets limits on sound levels that may be...
Evanston, IL
Evanston permits construction activity from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and city-recognized holidays. S...
Evanston, IL
Evanston enforces extensive street parking regulations including residential permit zones, time limits of 2 to 4 hours in most areas, and seasonal snow emerg...
Evanston, IL
Evanston regulates driveway construction, width, materials, and use. Driveways require a permit and must be constructed of approved hard surfaces. Parking on...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle beekeeping.
See how Evanston's beekeeping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.