Lake County, IL Animal Ordinances: Beekeeping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- UDO § 151.113(R)
- Hive limit
- 2 hives + 2 nucleus hives per 10,000 sq ft
- Setback to habitable structures
- 30 feet
- Setback to property lines
- 10 feet (30 ft from roads)
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County allows backyard beekeeping as an accessory use, with hive limits by lot size and mandatory setbacks, fencing, and water requirements.
The keeping of honey bees, of the European species Apis mefifera, shall be permitted in the Agricultural, Rural Estate. Estate, R1, R2, R3, and R4 Zoning Districts on lots less than 200,000 square feet in area, as an accessory use to a principal use... Two full beehives (hives) and two "nucleus hives" shall be permitted on lots up to and including a minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet of area... Hives shall be located a minimum of 30 feet from any existing habitable structures on any adjoining parcel.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Lake County's Unified Development Ordinance permits keeping European honey bees as an accessory use in the Agricultural, Rural Estate, Estate, and R1-R4 zoning districts on lots under 200,000 sq. ft. Hive counts scale with lot size (two hives plus two nucleus hives up to 10,000 sq. ft., more per additional 10,000 sq. ft., unlimited above 200,000 sq. ft.). Hives need 30-foot setbacks from roads/alleys/easements, 10 feet from other property lines, and 30 feet from neighboring habitable structures. Parcels of 40,000 sq. ft. or less need a 4-foot fence (or a warning sign) plus a 6-foot flyway barrier if the hive entrance faces a property line. This applies only in unincorporated Lake County; Waukegan, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville, and other municipalities set their own rules.
Violations & Fines
Zoning enforcement can order noncompliant hives relocated or removed; aggressive colonies verified by an Illinois Apiary inspector must be destroyed, moved, or requeened within 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep bees anywhere in unincorporated Lake County?
Do beekeeping rules apply inside Lake County's cities?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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