Suppose you live in Illinois and want to raise backyard chickens for personal use or as pets. But you are unsure and have questions, like, do Illinois towns allow backyard chickens, or do you need a permit for this?

 

Before considering backyard chickens for your backyard, you need to be familiar with the laws and regulations of keeping chickens in Illinois or any other region.

 

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, meaning we will cover all Illinois Chicken laws.

 

 

Article Summary of Illinois Chickens Law   Yes, backyard chickens can be raised in most Illinois areas; however, some places don’t allow it.   Before considering backyard chickens in your area in Illinois, it’s essential 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.

 

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Illinois Chicken Laws – Understand Before Keeping Backyard Chickens in Illinois

Residents of Illinois are required to obtain a permit to keep 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 essential to check your local government or zoning office for the most up-to-date information and to understand any laws or restrictions.

 

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, rules/regulations specify 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 controlled by local zoning laws.    It is best to check with your local government or zoning office to see if keeping chickens is allowed 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, the coop heater in winter, and setback distances from neighboring properties.

 

Health and Safety Some areas and municipalities might require regular check-ups for 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, such as composting it or ensuring it is properly bagged and disposed of in the trash.

 

 

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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, areas, and cities that allow backyard chickens in Illinois:

 

• Champaign

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

 

• Chicago (all of Cook County)

Chicago itself has no limit on chickens and roosters, and no permit is required, but you will now think: What suburbs in Chicago have backyard chickens?

 

• Evanston: There can be a maximum of six hens, not roosters, a permit is necessary, and some other rules must be followed.
• Oak Park: Three hens and no roosters; a permit and other restrictions.
• Downers Grove: Maximum four hens, no roosters, need application and more rules.
• Naperville: Eight hens and no roosters. A permit is important and other restrictions. 
• Elgin: Six hens and no roosters. A permit is important, and other restrictions. 
• Aurora: Four hens and roosters are not allowed, a permit is needed, and some other rules must be followed.
• Hinsdale: Three hens, no roosters, a permit is essential, and have few other rules.
• Lake Forest: Usually, six hens, no roosters, a permit is vital, and few other restrictions.
• Batavia: Four hens and no roosters, and an application is required. There are a few other rules to follow.
• Libertyville: Six hens, no roosters, a permit is crucial, and a few other restrictions.
• Some other suburbs in Chicago that allow chickens are the Western suburbs: Brookfield, Berwyn, Berkeley, Westchester, Riverside, Highland Park, Bartlett, Grayslake, Des Plaines, Bensenville Wheeling, and Lombard.

 

Note: Some suburbs in Chicago, including Skokie, Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Maywood, and Wilmette, do not allow backyard chickens. These suburbs restrict or do not permit backyard chickens due to noise, cleanliness, and neighborhood harmony concerns.

 

• Elgin

Up to 4 hens allowed, no roosters allowed, a permit required, and a 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, but a permit is required, and Coops must be at least 30 feet from neighbors and 10 feet from lot lines.

 

• Other Towns

In Illinois, backyard chickens are permitted in all the areas below, but laws and regulations may vary from location to location.

 

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

 

• 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

 

Also Read: Best Chicken Hatcheries in Georgia | Georgia Chicken Law

 

 

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Towns in Illinois that are Not Permitted to Keeping Backyard Chickens

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

 

• Aurora

Not allowed unless the property is agriculturally zoned.

 

• Joliet

No chickens.

 

• Peoria

no chickens allowed

 

• Rockford 

Chickens are not allowed.

 

• Waukegan

 no chickens allowed

 

• Bartonville

No chickens in this area.

 

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Final Words – Towns in Illinois That Allow Backyard Chickens

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

 

To obtain 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. 

 

It is advisable to check with the local government or zoning office to understand current regulations regarding backyard chickens in a specific area.

 

I hope you found this guide helpful! Feel free to share your experiences or questions in the comments below, and happy chicken-keeping!

 

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FAQs about Towns in Illinois That Allow Backyard Chickens

Can you have chickens in Romeoville, IL?

Owning chickens in Romeoville, Illinois, is not permitted according to their village ordinance.

 

Can you have chickens in Bloomingdale, IL?

Chickens are usually let in Bloomingdale, IL, but rules and restrictions must be checked before keeping them there. Roosters are not generally allowed, and hens are allowed depending on the property size. A permit is also necessary; other rules must be seen before keeping chickens in Bloomingdale, IL.

 

Is it legal to own chickens in Illinois?

It is legal to own chickens in Illinois, but you should check the local laws and regulations of your area, city, town, etc.

 

Can you have chickens in Illinois?

You can own chickens in Illinois, but before doing so, you must check your city, town, or area’s local laws and regulations for keeping chickens.

 

Can you have chickens in Decatur IL?

The simple answer is yes, you can keep chickens in Decatur, Illinois. However, as with all other towns, cities, or areas, Decatur, Illinois, also has rules and restrictions about chicken keeping, so check before keeping.

 

Are roosters allowed in Illinois towns?

Roosters are generally not allowed due to noise concerns. Chicago and Springfield allow them, but most towns, such as Champaign and Elgin, prohibit them.

 

Is a permit required to keep backyard chickens in Illinois?

A permit is necessary to keep backyard chickens in many towns, including Champaign, Elgin, and Naperville. Chicago, however, does not require a license.

 

Do all towns in Illinois allow backyard chickens?

No, not all towns permit backyard chickens. Towns like Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, and Rockford do not allow chickens unless the property is zoned for agriculture.