Honeybee Keeping

Honeybee Keeping in Skokie

Skokie residents have two options for keeping beehives in Skokie:

  1. Residential Beekeeping on Private Property: Honeybee hives/colonies located in residential districts with detached residences occupied by the beekeeper, or similar property with the written permission of the owner.  Beekeepers can keep up to five hives.  Residential Permit Application (PDF)
  2. Community Apiary: In partnership with Oakton Community College the Village has a limited number of apiary sites within the community apiary site located on Oakton Community College’s Skokie campus.  Beekeepers can keep up to two hives.  Community Apiary Permit Application

Image of a honeybee on a tree

Residential Beekeeping on Private Property (General Information)

  • You must obtain a Residential Beekeeping Permit (Permit Application (PDF)) from the Health and Human Services Department to keep honeybees.  The following is required to be included with the application:
    • A scaled site plan of the proposed apiary. An "apiary" means the beehive, honeybees, equipment, and the surrounding fencing and flyway. View an Example Site Plan Template (PDF).
    • A Certificate of Insurance from the property owner's homeowner's insurance company verifying that beekeeping is covered by the insurance policy.
    • Documentation of completion of an approved introductory beekeeping course(PDF).
    • Written Consent Forms (PDF) from all neighbors on residential properties that abut the property with the proposed apiary location. Notification is not required for renewals.
    • A properly executed "hold harmless agreement" with the Village
    • Payment of a $125 initial permit fee; permits expire on March 31 annually.  Permit renewal fee is $50.  Make payments to “Village of Skokie”
  • Honeybees may only be located in residential districts with detached residences occupied by the beekeeper, or similar property with the written permission of the owner
  • The following are specifications for constructing a residential apiary in Skokie. View an Example Site Plan with Apiary (PDF).
    • Apiaries may only be located in a rear yard, with specific setbacks from the property line.
    • Honeybees must be kept in Langstroth Type beehives with removable combs.
    • There must be a convenient source of water available within ten feet of the beehive during the honeybees' active months.
      • Apiaries shall be enclosed on all sides by a fence five feet in height and at least three feet from the beehive on all sides.
      • The Apiary entrance shall have a gate with a locked latch.
      • Each beehive entrance must have a flyway barrier at least six feet in height and extending four feet wide, which directs the honeybees upwards as they exit the beehive.
      • A weatherproof sign (ten inches by twelve inches) must be posted on all lot lines facing abutting properties and on the apiary fence outside of the latched gate with the statement, "State Registered Beehive(s) on Property" or similar language.
      • Two properties with honeybees may not exist within six hundred feet of each other
      • Beekeeping is not permitted on rooftops or balconies
      • A maximum of five honeybee colonies are allowed on each property
      • Once the apiary is established, beekeepers must register their beehive(s) with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Two inspections will be conducted each year by the Skokie Health and Human Services Department. Beekeepers must have their beehives inspected by the State of Illinois Apiary Inspector at least every other year. Beekeeping permits are not transferable, and penalties exist for failure to comply with the ordinance requirements.
      • Beekeepers must monitor and maintain their honeybees so as not to become a nuisance. Visit the American Beekeeping Federation’s How to Start a Beekeeping Operation.




Community Apiary (General Information)

  • The community apiary is located at Oakton Community College's Skokie campus.
  • You must obtain a Community Apiary Permit (Community Apiary Permit Application) from the Health and Human Services Department to keep honeybees at the Community Apiary.  The following must be submitted with the application:
    • Payment of a $125 initial permit fee; permits expire on March 31 annually.  Permit renewal fee is $50.  Make payments to “Village of Skokie”
    • Beekeepers must show proof of taken an introductory beekeeping class.
    • Once the apiary is established, beekeepers must register their beehive(s) with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Two inspections will be conducted each year by the Skokie Health Department. Beekeepers must have their beehives inspected by the State of Illinois Apiary Inspector at least every other year. Beekeeping permits are not transferable, and penalties exist for failure to comply with the ordinance requirements
    • Submit documentation of having a commercial general liability insurance policy endorsed for beekeeping with a minimum combined single limits of one million dollars ($1,000,000) each occurrence and two million dollars ($2,000,000) general aggregate.  The policy shall be endorsed to include the Village of Skokie and Oakton Community College and all officers, employees and/or volunteers as additional insureds. 
  • A maximum of two honeybee colonies are allowed per beekeeper
  • Honeybees must be kept in Langstroth Type beehives with removable combs.
  • Beekeepers must monitor and maintain their honeybee colony at least twice per month from March 1 to November 30, so as not to become a nuisance. Visit the American Beekeeping Federation’s How to Start a Beekeeping Operation.