Illinois Towns that Allow Backyard Chickens | Illinois Chickens Law

Article Summary Yes, backyard chickens are allowed to keep in most Illinois areas however some areas don’t allow backyard chickens. Before considering backyard chickens in your area in Illinois it’s important to check your local government or zoning office to understand any laws or restrictions. In some Illinois areas, you need a permit to keep backyard chickens for personal use or as pets.

 

If you live in Illinois and want to raise and keep backyard chickens for personal use (eggs and meat) or as pets.

 

But you are unsure or confused and have some questions like, are keeping backyard chickens in your town allowed, or need a permit or not?

 

So before considering backyard chickens for your backyard, you need to know the laws and regulations of keeping chickens in Illinois.

 

We talk about towns in Illinois that allow backyard chickens, towns that require a permit to keep backyard chickens, and towns that don’t allow backyard chickens.

 

 

Illinois Chicken Laws to Understand Before Keeping Backyard Chickens

Residents of Illinois are required to obtain a permit for keeping backyard chickens in their backyard. 

 

The application process includes submitting a plat of survey, which indicates the location of the chicken coop and its setbacks from property lines.

 

It’s important to check your local government or zoning office to understand any laws or restrictions and for the most up-to-date information.

 

And remember that Laws and regulations can vary by municipality or area in Illinois and are subject to change.

 

Below are some Laws and regulations for keeping backyard chickens in Illinois:

 

Property Size In certain places, there are rules/regulations specifying the minimum size of property required for keeping backyard chickens. These rules ensure that the chickens have enough space to move around and prevent overcrowding.

 

Zoning Laws Keeping chickens in the backyard can vary by municipality or area and is often regulated by local zoning laws.  It is best to check with your local government or zoning office to see if keeping chickens is permitted in your area.

 

Number of Chickens The permitted or allowed number of chickens may also differ depending on the specific area or municipality. Some places or municipalities let you have only a certain number of chickens, but others don’t have any limits.

 

Number of Roosters Many areas or municipalities prohibit roosters, because they crow loudly, which can disturb the nearest people or neighbors.  Make sure to look up and check your local rules to see if roosters are allowed or not.

 

Coop Requirements Each municipality or area may have detailed rules and guidelines for building and positioning chicken coops.  These rules might cover factors like the minimum size of the coop, the materials used in the coop, and setback distances from neighboring properties.

 

Health and Safety Some areas and municipalities might ask you to get regular check-ups for your backyard chickens to keep them happy and healthy and prevent diseases. Also, they may require proper vaccination to ensure the well-being of the chickens and the surrounding environment.

 

Waste Management Effective waste management of chickens is important for maintaining a healthy and clean environment when keeping and raising backyard chickens Municipalities often have specific rules/regulations regarding the disposal of chicken waste like composting it or ensuring it is properly bagged and disposed of in the trash.

 

 

Towns in Illinois that Permitted to Keeping Backyard Chickens | Illinois Towns that Allow Backyard Chickens

It’s important to check with the local government or zoning office for the most current information on permits and regulations regarding backyard chickens.

 

Here are the towns, counties, municipalities, and areas that allow keeping backyard chickens:

 

• Champaign

Up to 6 hens are allowed. no roosters are allowed, a permit is required, and coops are 10 feet from lot lines and 30 feet from other dwellings.

 

• Chicago (all of Cook County)

No limit of chickens and roosters are allowed and no permit is required.

 

• Elgin

Up to 4 hens allowed, no roosters allowed, a permit required and coop not visible from the street, 25 feet from neighboring dwellings, and 6 feet from lot lines.

 

• Naperville

Up to 8 hens allowed, no roosters allowed, a permit required, and coops in the rear yard, 30 feet from other homes, and 10 feet from lot lines.

 

• Springfield 

Chickens are allowed in most zones, but flock size varies by residential zone, roosters are allowed, a permit is required, and Coops at least 30 feet from neighbors and 10 feet from lot lines.

 

• All of Will County

• Bannockburn

• Bartlett

• Batavia

• Belleville

• Bensenville

• Brookfield

• Cerro Gordo

• Countryside

• Decatur

• Deerfield

• Detroit

• Downers Grove

• Evanston

• Fox Lake

• Galesburg

• Hinsdale

• Lake Bluff

• Lemont

• Loda

• Melrose Park

• Monticello

• Niles

• North Barrington

• North Riverside

• Oak Park

• Onarga

• Palos Hills

• Palos Park

• Paxton

• Pekin

• Penfield

• Perry

• Quincy

• Roberts

• Rolling Meadows

• Silvis

• St Charles

• Thawville

• Tinley Park

• Urbana

• Villa Park

• Warrenville

• Western Springs

• West Dundee

• Westmont

 

Remember the above all areas are permitted to keep backyard chickens, but laws and regulations may vary from location to location.

 

So before thinking about backyard chickens in the above areas you need to understand and check the local government or zoning office laws regarding backyard chickens.

 

 

Towns in Illinois that are Not Permitted to Keeping Backyard Chickens

Here are the towns, municipalities, and areas that aren’t allowed or are not permitted to keep backyard chickens:

 

• Aurora

no chickens allowed unless the property is agriculturally zoned

 

• Joliet

no chickens allowed

 

• Peoria

no chickens allowed

 

• Rockford 

no chickens allowed

 

• Waukegan

 no chickens allowed

 

• Bartonville

 no chickens allowed

 

 

Final Words

In many municipalities, residents are required to obtain a permit for keeping backyard chickens. However, laws and regulations vary from location to location.

 

For obtaining a permit residents must submit a plat of survey showing the chicken coop’s location and setbacks from property lines as part of the permit application process. 

 

Laws and Regulations ensure the chickens’ well-being and minimize disturbances to neighbors. 

 

It’s important to stay informed about local ordinances, as they may change over time. 

 

Checking with the local government or zoning office is advisable and also important to understand current regulations regarding backyard chickens in a specific area.