(A) Definitions:
BEE: Any stage of the common domestic honeybee, Apis mellifera.
BEEKEEPING: The keeping of one or more colonies of honeybees on one's own property.
COLONY: A hive and its equipment and appurtenances, including bees, comb, honey, pollen, and brood.
HIVE: A man-made receptacle or container inhabited by a colony of bees.
(B) Regulations And Restrictions: Beekeeping shall comply with the following regulations and restrictions:
1. Property: Beekeeping is prohibited on multi-family property.
2. Lot Area: The minimum lot area for beekeeping shall be one- half (1/2) acre.
3. Yard Location: Beekeeping is prohibited in all front, side, and street yard areas.
4. Number Of Colonies: Lots having less than two (2) acres of lot area shall not have more than two (2) colonies. Lots having two (2) to ten (10) acres of lot area shall not have more than four (4) colonies. Lots having over ten (10) acres of lot area shall not have more than ten (10) colonies.
5. Setbacks: No colony shall be kept closer than ten feet (10') from any lot line.
6. Fencing Or Flyways: The owner shall establish and maintain a flyway barrier at least six feet (6') in height consisting of a solid wall, fence, dense vegetation or combination thereof. The flyway barrier shall be parallel to the property line, located only upon such property line as is closest to the colony, and extend ten feet (10') beyond the colony in each direction so that all bees are forced to fly at an elevation of at least six feet (6') above the ground level over the property lines in the vicinity of the hive. In instances where more than one hive is kept, a flyway shall be installed and maintained per hive. This flyway barrier requirement shall not apply if the setback between any colony and the closest lot line is twenty five feet (25') or more.
7. General Maintenance: Each owner shall ensure that no bee comb or other materials are left upon the grounds of the property where a hive is maintained. Upon their removal from the hive, all such materials shall promptly be disposed of in a sealed container or placed within a building or other beeproof enclosure.
8. Queens: In any instance in which a colony exhibits unusually aggressive characteristics by stinging or attempting to sting without due provocation, or exhibits an unusual disposition toward swarming, it shall be the duty of the beekeeper to requeen the colony. Queens shall be selected from stock bred for gentleness and nonswarming characteristics.
9. Noncommercial Use: No commercial use or retail sales of bees, honey, honeycomb or other bee products or beekeeping products shall be permitted from any residential property.
10. Water: Each beekeeper shall ensure a convenient source of water is available to the bees at all times during the year so the bees will not congregate at swimming pools, pet watering bowls, birdbaths, or other water sources where they may cause human, bird, or domestic pet contact.
11. Registration: The beekeeper must register the colonies and maintain valid registration with the Illinois Department of Agriculture or as otherwise required by the State of Illinois.
12. Compliance: All beekeepers shall be in compliance with the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act, including, but not limited to having all hives accessible for State inspectors to check on a routine basis on their practice and schedule or as needed.
13. Permit Required: Beekeeping shall require a permit from the Village. (Ord. 2018-4801, 12-17-2018)