A change in DuPage County’s zoning code allowing beekeeping on smaller properties has raised concerns among some that beekeeping could sting native bees, such as the rusty-spotted bumblebee.
Courtesy of Alma C. Schrage
Beekeepers in unincorporated DuPage County no longer need acres of land to house their bee colonies.
County committee members voted 10-8 on Tuesday to amend the zoning ordinance to allow beekeeping on properties less than one acre in size.
Before the vote, beekeeping in the county was only permitted on properties larger than one acre.
The change sparked debate among board members, who feared that the potential increase in the honey bee population would have negative impacts on native pollinators such as the endangered rusty-spotted bumblebee. However, board members who supported the change pointed out that honey bees have been buzzing around for centuries.
“How long have native bees been on this earth? Forever. How long have honey bees been on this earth? Forever,” said Sam Tornatore, a county board member and chair of the development committee. “Why this has become a problem in DuPage County in 2024 is beyond me.”
Board members postponed a vote on the proposed ordinance earlier this month, but last week they held a joint meeting of the environment and development committees to consider the issue in more detail.
Under new zoning regulations approved by the DuPage County Board, beekeeping will be allowed on properties less than one acre in size.
Courtesy of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage
Under the approved changes, beekeepers will be allowed to keep up to two hives on properties less than one acre and up to four hives on properties more than one acre. The change will also force five beekeepers, all of whom live on properties less than one acre and who have violated the county ordinance, to come into compliance, officials said.
Before board members cast their votes on Tuesday, several beekeepers spoke in favor of the ordinance, saying the problem should be the shrinking habitat of pollinators and not the hives.
“I agree that the rust spot is in trouble, but don’t blame other pollinators,” said Pete Soltesz, president of the Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association, one of the largest beekeeping associations in the Midwest.
“I think they made a really wise decision today,” Soltesz said after the meeting.
Board members Liz Chaplin, Mike Childress, Sadia Covert, Dawn DeSart, Lucy Chang Evans, Paula Deacon Garcia, Mary FitzGerald Ozog and Yeena Yoo voted against the change.
“I don’t think there is any evidence that honey bees are going extinct,” said Yoo, who has read various studies on the subject. “But there is enough evidence, testimony and commentary that this is happening to our native bees.”
Yoo and others echoed concerns raised by the Sierra Club’s River Prairie Group. The group’s chair, Connie Schmidt, said Tuesday that an increase in honey bees could bring disease and displace native bees as demand for the same food supply increases.
“Introducing additional competition and the threat of disease and parasites from additional honey bee colonies that potentially endanger our native bees does not appear to be an ecological decision,” said Schmidt, who urged board members to study the issue more closely before voting.
Board members noted that the approved change includes oversight by 4H, as beekeepers must register with 4H as a local project. They also pointed out that several municipalities in DuPage County allow beekeeping on properties less than one acre.
