Naperville Council Seeks More Information on Beekeeping Rules

Naperville City Council conducted the first reading July 21 of a proposed ordinance that would revise the city’s beekeeping rules. The council is seeking more information before deciding whether to change the requirements.

City staff proposed reinstating fencing, neighbor-notice and signage requirements for apiaries. The proposal also would increase the minimum hive setback from the current five feet to 15 feet, require hive flight paths to remain within the owner’s lot and require an on-property water source.

Naperville’s current code uses a sliding hive limit: three hives on lots smaller than one-quarter acre, six hives on lots from one-quarter to one-half acre and 10 hives on lots larger than one-half acre. The proposed ordinance contemplated new rules for new apiaries immediately after passage and gave existing legally established apiaries six months to comply. The first-reading record does not establish that those hive limits or proposed requirements were finally changed.

The July 21 meeting record shows only that the council conducted the first reading. The Daily Herald reported July 22 that the matter remained under consideration as council requested additional information. The council has not taken a final vote on the ordinance, and an enacted ordinance and effective date have not been announced. Further council consideration is the next known step.