The Elgin City Council voted unanimously at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting to allow backyard beekeeping at the request of a local resident.
Councilmember Tish Powell wanted to know if residents could keep both chickens and bees.
Molly Center, communication specialist, said, “as long as the residents follow the ordinances, including the setbacks, both structures will be allowed. Beehives will need to be at least 25 feet from any occupied residence other than the beekeepers and 10 feet from all property lines.”
Powell responded that she “is looking forward to having local honey available in the community.”
Other regulations include a $65 permit fee and a small sign at the walkway or gate entrances stating, “Bees on Premise.” Signs would not be necessary for rooftop hives. Beekeeping will not be permitted in multifamily dwellings.
Councilmember Carol Raushenberger said the “sustainability commission did a nice job of working with the public in developing the proposed ordinance.”
Councilmembers Terry Gavin and Rich Dunne both applauded allowing backyard beehives. Dunne said he knows of a home in unincorporated Elgin that has been beekeeping for years and not caused any problems for neighbors.
Gavin added, “The commission did a nice job. This is just common sense.”
Because beehives might cause a problem for those with allergies to bee stings, the city also imposed regulations to help contain bees to owners’ back yards. They include having fresh water within 10 feet of the hive and requiring hives 20 feet from a property line to have a flyway barrier or screen.
Bees are needed in the environment to pollinate plants as well as to make honey and wax. They will serve a much greater purpose than backyard chickens that are expensive to own, need a great deal of care, and have a 18-month window to lay eggs. Chickens provide families with fresh eggs, but do not provide the same types of environmental benefits as bees do.
Beekeeping will be a positive addition for interested families and won’t cause as many problems as backyard chickens.
