Can I Have Chickens In My Backyard in Illinois?

Yes, you can have chickens in your backyard in Illinois, but it depends on where you live. Illinois does not have a single statewide law covering backyard chickens, so each city, town, or village sets its own rules. In many places, hens are allowed with restrictions such as limits on flock size, rooster bans, setback requirements for coops, and cleanliness standards to prevent odor or pests. 

Some communities, like Chicago, allow chickens with few restrictions as long as they don’t create a nuisance, while others, like Naperville, limit the number of hens and require coop approval. In rural areas, regulations are often minimal, making it easier to keep a flock. These rules exist to balance neighborhood interests, addressing concerns about noise, odor, predators, and property values. If you’re considering chickens, your best step is to check with your local zoning or planning office (and HOA if applicable) before building a coop. Once you confirm the regulations, you’ll be ready to enjoy the benefits of backyard chickens in Illinois.

Is It Legal to Have Chickens in Your Backyard in Illinois?

Yes, it can be legal to have chickens in your backyard in Illinois, but it depends on local ordinances. Cities, towns, and villages set their own rules, which may limit the number of hens, ban roosters, or require permits and coop setbacks. 

Do You Need A Permit For Chickens in Illinois?

Yes, depending on your local jurisdiction, in many Illinois cities, you need a permit or approval to keep chickens, while in others, you may not.

Some municipalities require:

• A poultry-keeping permit or license
• An approved coop layout or inspection
• Limits on the number of hens (often 4–6)
• Rooster prohibitions
• Setback rules (distance from property lines, homes, streets)

Always check with your city or village zoning or agricultural office to see what’s required where you live before you bring any birds home.

How Many Chickens Can I Have in Illinois?

On average, most cities in Illinois allow between 4 and 8 hens, while roosters are almost always prohibited. The exact number varies depending on local ordinances, so it’s important to check your city’s rules. If you don’t see your community listed below, feel free to skip ahead to the full chart of Illinois cities and towns.

Can I Let My Chickens Free-Range in My Backyard?

Yes, in many cases you can let your chickens free-range in your backyard, but it depends on local rules and your setup.

Some Illinois towns and cities allow hens to free-range as long as they stay contained on your property, while others require chickens to be kept in a coop or enclosed run at all times. Even if your local ordinance doesn’t specifically ban free-ranging, you’ll still need to follow setback requirements and nuisance rules (noise, odor, damage to neighbors’ property).

If you want the best of both worlds, many backyard chicken keepers in Illinois use a fenced yard, movable chicken tractor, or covered run so birds can roam safely without breaking local regulations.

To be certain, check your city or county’s chicken ordinance or zoning office.

Can I Have A Rooster In My Backyard in Illinois?

In most parts of Illinois, keeping a rooster in a residential backyard is not permitted due to concerns about noise and neighborhood disturbance. While many towns welcome small flocks of hens, they draw the line at roosters, which are known for their loud crowing throughout the day. Cities such as Champaign, Elgin, Lombard, and Bensenville have ordinances that explicitly ban them, even if hens are allowed under permit. Rural communities, however, may be more flexible, especially in areas with agricultural zoning. Since rules differ from one municipality to another, the safest approach is to review your local code or contact the zoning office before making plans to add a rooster to your flock.

Can I Sell My Chicken Eggs in Illinois?

Yes, under certain conditions, you can sell chicken eggs in Illinois. 

Here’s how it works:

• If you sell eggs directly from your own flock to household consumers, and those consumers pick up the eggs on your property, you generally do not need a license.
• If you want to sell eggs off your property (for example, at a market, farm stand, or to a store), then you must have an Illinois Egg License.
  • Limited Producer-Dealer License: For sales from your own flock or fewer than 3,000 birds. 
  • Full Producer-Dealer License: For selling eggs from your flock of 3,000 or more birds, or selling eggs not from your own flock. 
• When you sell eggs under license, you must follow rules on grading, labeling, packaging, temperature control, and record keeping under the Illinois Egg & Egg Products Act.

Chicken Laws For Cities in Illinois

Backyard chicken regulations in Illinois can look very different from one city to the next. While some municipalities embrace small flocks with a few basic rules, others limit or even prohibit poultry within residential neighborhoods. Find your city below for more info.

Does Arlington Heights, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Arlington Heights, IL, does not allow backyard chickens. The village code explicitly prohibits keeping “any chickens, geese or ducks” within residential districts.

Does Aurora, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Aurora, Illinois, does allow backyard chickens (hens and ducks), under certain rules. The relevant law is Section 14-134 – Keeping of Chickens and Domesticated Ducks in the Aurora municipal code.

Does Berwyn, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Berwyn, IL does allow keeping some chickens under specific rules. The Berwyn Code of Ordinances § 616.08 places conditions on poultry ownership.

Here are the key points:

• You may keep up to 3 chickens on a residential lot.
• Roosters are explicitly prohibited.
• Chickens must be kept in a covered outdoor coop/enclosure.
• They cannot be allowed to roam freely, they must stay confined during permitted hours (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) under supervision in a fenced yard. 
• Coops must follow setbacks (from side/rear yard lot lines) and be sanitary, ventilated, properly constructed, and reasonably sized (no more than 20 sq ft).
• A coop license is required, with a fee of $10 per chicken per year. Applicants must obtain consent from adjacent landowners and meet other rules.

Does Bloomington, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Bloomington, IL does allow backyard chickens, but under regulated conditions.

Here are the key rules from Bloomington’s zoning code:

• On lots 1 acre or smaller, up to 4 chickens are allowed as an accessory use.
• On larger lots, you can have 4 chickens plus an additional chicken per half-acre beyond the first acre.
• Chickens must be kept in a covered or fenced enclosure, and enclosures cannot be in the front or side yard, they must be set back at least 10 feet from property lines. 
• Roosters are not permitted, and raising chickens for slaughter is also banned. 
• All feed and materials must be stored in a way that doesn’t attract pests.
• Even with these regulations, residents may need to apply for permits or special-use approval depending on the zoning overlay or lot specifics. 

Does Bolingbrook, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Bolingbrook, IL, does not allow backyard chickens. According to the Bolingbrook village code, “no goat pen, chicken coop, runway, yard or other place for the keeping of any goat, chicken, pigeon, goose, turkey, mule, donkey, sheep, bovine, swine or other such animal or fowl, of any kind, shall be maintained within the village.” The only exception is for fowl or rabbits kept for sale in the ordinary course of business and only in zones where such activity is permitted. In short, residents cannot keep backyard chickens for personal use within the Bolingbrook city limits.

Does Champaign, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Champaign, IL does allow backyard chickens, but the city has clear rules in place. Residents must first obtain a coop license before keeping hens,

Here are the key details:

• You can keep up to six hens.
• You must obtain a coop license from the city.
• Housing standards apply: minimum space per hen, required run size, full enclosure with top, etc.
• The coop must be in the backyard (not front or side yard).

Does Chicago, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Chicago, IL allows residents to keep backyard chickens, and unlike many surrounding suburbs, the city places very few restrictions on them. There is no official limit on the number of hens you can own, and roosters are technically permitted as long as they don’t create excessive noise. However, chickens and other livestock may not be raised for slaughter within city limits. Coops and runs must be well-maintained, sanitary, and managed in a way that doesn’t become a nuisance to neighbors. Overall, Chicago is considered one of the more chicken-friendly cities in Illinois, giving urban homesteaders plenty of freedom to raise their own flocks.

Does Cicero, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, the Village of Cicero, IL, does not allow backyard chickens. Residents have even started petitions asking for the rules to be changed, but as it stands today, the municipal code does not provide any provision that permits the keeping of hens. This makes it illegal to raise chickens within Cicero.

Does Decatur, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Decatur, IL does not allow backyard chickens under its municipal code. ​​According to Decatur’s Chapter 47: Control of Animals, Fowl and Dogs, it is unlawful to keep chickens, ducks, rabbits, or other domestic fowl unless they are in an enclosure that is at least 75 feet from any dwelling (other than the owner’s), and the enclosure cannot be placed in the front or side yard.

Does Des Plaines, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Des Plaines, IL does allow backyard hens, but under strict rules and with a permit.

Here are some key points of how it works under their municipal code:

• You may keep up to six hens, but roosters are prohibited.
• Residents need to get a permit from the Department of Community & Economic Development. A non-refundable $35 fee is required
• Hens must stay in a coop and enclosure meeting size and location rules
  • They must be in fenced rear yards, not visible from the street 
  • Enclosures ≤ 100 sq ft; coops ≤ 24 sq ft & 8 ft tall 
  • Minimum setback distances from property lines or structures apply
  • Raising chickens for slaughter is not allowed. 

Does Elgin, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Elgin, IL does allow backyard chickens, but only under strict regulations. Residents must obtain a city-issued license and secure a building permit before constructing a coop or enclosure, which must also pass inspection. The ordinance permits up to four hens, while roosters are prohibited, and chickens must always remain in a coop or screened enclosure, such as a mobile chicken tractor. Coops must follow setback rules, staying at least 25 feet from neighboring properties and out of street view. In addition, slaughtering chickens on residential property is not allowed. These rules are designed to let residents enjoy keeping hens while maintaining neighborhood standards.

Does Evanston, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Evanston, IL allows backyard chickens, but only hens and only with a license. Residents must apply for a Hen Coop License, and the ordinance limits flocks to between two and six hens while prohibiting roosters. Coops must be placed in the rear yard, at least 10 feet from the home and three feet from property lines, and they must also comply with accessory use zoning rules regarding size and placement. Before a license is approved, applicants may need to meet building code requirements and notify neighbors to ensure compliance. These regulations allow Evanston residents to raise hens for eggs while keeping standards in place to protect neighbors and maintain property values.

Does Joliet, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Joliet, IL does not permit backyard chickens. According to Joliet’s “Animals” section under its planning & zoning rules, unless your property is classified as a farm, you cannot keep farm animals, including fowl such as chickens, within city limits.

Does Mount Prospect, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Mount Prospect, IL does not allow backyard chickens. The village ordinance explicitly states that “no person shall keep, maintain and/or harbor any live … chickens … within the corporate limits of the Village,” except for veterinary or hospital purposes.

Does Naperville, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Naperville, IL allows backyard chickens (fowl), but you must obtain a permit before building or modifying a coop or enclosure. According to Naperville’s municipal code (Section 10-4-6: Fowl and Livestock), a permit is required for any pen, coop, building, or other structure intended to house poultry or livestock.

Does Normal, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, based on the information available, Normal, IL does not allow backyard chickens. The town’s FAQ states that while you may have “up to two of any animal” in a residence, livestock (including poultry) are excluded under the municipal code.

Does Orland Park, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Orland Park, IL, now allows backyard hens, but only on properties of at least one acre with a permit. Up to eight hens are allowed, roosters are banned, and coops must meet strict size and setback requirements. Slaughtering on-site is prohibited, and a building permit is needed for any coop or enclosure.

Does Palatine, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

It appears that Palatine, IL, currently prohibits backyard chickens, unless you obtain a special use zoning approval under very strict conditions. 

Does Peoria, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

As of now, Peoria, IL does not officially allow backyard chickens within city limits. The City Council has considered proposals to legalize them, but no ordinance has been adopted yet. 

Does Rockford, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Rockford, IL does not currently allow backyard chickens. The city’s official FAQ states: “No. The City of Rockford does not permit ownership of any type of fowl.”

Interestingly, there’s a Domestic Fowl Application document that outlines a permit process (maximum of five hens, coop rules, etc.), suggesting there’s been discussion about allowing them. However, a proposal to legalize backyard hens (up to four) was rejected in early 2023 by the Rockford City Council. 

Does Schaumburg, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Schaumburg, IL does not currently allow backyard chickens under its existing municipal code. A 2023 staff memo notes that Schaumburg “does not permit chickens” under current rules, and a proposal to change that would require zoning amendments and a special use permit.

Does Skokie, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No, Skokie, IL does not allow backyard chickens. The village’s FAQ page states that Skokie Village Code Section 18-7 “Keeping livestock” prohibits the keeping of chickens and other poultry or livestock in the village. 

Does Springfield, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Springfield, IL does allow backyard chickens, but with some restrictions. Residents may keep hens as long as they are properly fenced in, though roosters are not permitted. According to the municipal code, chickens are prohibited in Zone E, which means they can be kept in other zones as long as local requirements are followed. 

Does Tinley Park, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

Yes, Tinley Park, IL allows residents to keep up to four hens with a poultry license, but roosters are not permitted. Coops must be under 24 square feet, no taller than six feet, and placed in the rear yard at least 10 feet from property lines and 75 feet from schools, streets, or neighboring homes. Runs must be enclosed and predator-proof, and a building permit is required for any coop or enclosure.

Does Waukegan, IL, Allow Backyard Chickens?

No,  Waukegan, IL does not currently allow backyard chickens under its municipal code.

Laws for Keeping Backyard Chickens in Illinois By County

Backyard chicken regulations in Illinois vary widely from one county to the next. While some counties allow small flocks with minimal restrictions, others may require permits, zoning approval, or limit the number of hens. The table below provides a helpful starting point listing each county’s planning/zoning department so you can easily find the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Thinking of Starting Your Backyard Flock?

If you’re ready to dive into backyard chicken keeping, choosing the right coop is one of the most important first decisions. At the Hen House Collection, we offer a wide range of wooden chicken coops with versatile features like roll-away nesting boxes, predator-proof coop doors, and custom options that fit flocks of all sizes. Whether you want a movable “tractor” style coop or a classic walk-in design, our durable, attractive coops help keep your chickens safe, comfortable, and easy to care for.