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
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.
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.
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Lake County, IN
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