Evanston, IL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed
- Yes, with registration
- Max Hives
- 4 per residential lot
- Setback
- 10 ft from property lines
- Flyway Barrier
- 6 ft tall if within 25 ft of neighbor
- State Registration
- Required under 510 ILCS 20
Summary
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.
"Apiary" means a place where one or more hives or colonies of bees are kept. "Bee diseases" means any infectious or contagious diseases of bees as specified by the Department, including but not limited to American foulbrood. "Bee equipment" means hives, supers, frames, or any other devices used in beekeeping. "Bee parasites" means any parasite of bees as specified by the Department. "Beekeeper" means a person who keeps bees. "Beekeeping" means the raising or producing of bees, beeswax, honey, and by-products and the transporting of bees, colonies or items of bee equipment. "Bees" means the common honey bee, Apis mellifera (L) in any stage of its life cycle. "Colony" means the entire honey bee family or social unit living together.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to keep bees in Evanston?
How many hives can I have?
What if my neighbor complains about my bees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
Compare Evanston to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Beekeeping in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle beekeeping.