Lake County, IN Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Ordinance
- Lake County UDO Sec. 154-9-050
- Base hive limit
- 4 hives
- Setback
- 20 ft (10 ft with barrier)
- Location
- Rear yard only
- Water
- Within 25 ft, Mar-Nov
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County allows backyard beekeeping as an accessory use. Up to four hives are permitted, plus one more per 2,500 sq ft of lot over 10,000 sq ft, with no limit above 4.5 acres. Hives go in the rear yard, set back 20 feet (10 feet with a flyway
The maximum number of beehives permitted is 4, plus one additional hive for each 2,500 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet. There is no limit on the number of beehives permitted on lots over 4.5 acres in area.
Full Breakdown
Lake County UDO No. 2560, Sec. 154-9-050, governs keeping honeybees as an accessory use in all districts except traditional and hobby farms. Beehives are allowed only in the rear yard and must be set back at least 20 feet from lot lines, reducible to 10 feet if a flyway barrier at least six feet tall extending 10 feet beyond the hive is provided. The maximum number of beehives is four, plus one additional hive for each 2,500 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet, with no limit on lots over 4.5 acres. An on-site water source must be within 25 feet of hives from March through November. Beekeeping must comply with Indiana Code Title 14, Article 24.
Violations & Fines
Enforced as a zoning violation by the Plan Commission/Building Department; exceeding hive limits or setbacks may result in notice, fines, and abatement of the accessory use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many beehives can I keep?
Where must hives be placed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Indiana animal ordinances overview
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