Peoria's Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 (Animals) does not include an express beekeeping ordinance permitting urban apiaries in residential districts. Bees are typically treated as livestock under the city's animal regulations and are restricted to agricultural-zoned parcels under Appendix B (Zoning Ordinance). State-level registration of apiaries with the Illinois Department of Agriculture is required under the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act (510 ILCS 20/).
Peoria has not adopted an urban beekeeping framework analogous to ordinances in Chicago, Evanston, or Champaign. Chapter 5 of the Peoria Code of Ordinances at https://library.municode.com/il/peoria treats bees as livestock for purposes of residential-zoning restrictions, and Appendix B (Zoning Ordinance) limits livestock to agricultural-zoned parcels. At the state level, the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act (510 ILCS 20/) at https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1739 requires anyone owning bees in Illinois to register their hives with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and submit to inspection. Registration is free and helps IDOA track American foulbrood and other diseases. Peoria residents interested in beekeeping should: (1) confirm their parcel is zoned to permit apiaries through Community Development (309-494-8600); (2) register hives with IDOA at https://agr.illinois.gov/animals/apiariesandbeekeeping.html; and (3) consider neighbor relations — even where bees are allowed, a swarm or aggressive colony can result in nuisance citations under the general property-maintenance provisions of Chapter 18.
Keeping bees in a residential zone without zoning authorization is enforceable as a municipal violation, with fines from $75-$750 per occurrence under Peoria Code Chapter 1. Failure to register hives with IDOA is a separate state-level violation under 510 ILCS 20/. Bees deemed a nuisance can be ordered removed.
Peoria, IL
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Peoria, IL
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Peoria, IL
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Peoria, IL
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Peoria, IL
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Peoria, IL
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