Will County, IL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Will County Code § 90.14
- Feral cat status
- Expressly exempt from at-large ban
- First-offense fine
- $100 under § 90.99
- Enforcement agency
- Animal Protection Services / county Administrator
- Scope
- Countywide, concurrent with municipal codes
Summary
Will County's animal-control ordinance bars letting any domestic or companion animal run uncontrolled countywide, but § 90.14 carves out feral cats from that at-large prohibition entirely.
No person shall permit at any time their domestic and companion animal to run uncontrolled. Feral cats are exempt.
(B) Any domestic and companion animal found running at large in violation hereof may be apprehended and impounded in the manner provided in this chapter.
(C) A dog that is actively engaged in a legal hunting activity, including training, is not considered to be running at large if the dog is on land that is open to hunting or on land which the person has obtained permission to hunt or train a dog. A dog that is in a dog-friendly area or dog park is not considered to be running at large if the dog is monitored or supervised by a person. (1980 Code, § 90.14) (Res. 99-61, adopted 2-18-1999; Res. 01-339, adopted 8-16- 2001; Res. 06-122, adopted 3-16-2006; Ord. 24-19, passed 1-18- 2024) Penalty, see § 90.99 Statutory reference: Dog running at large, see 510 ILCS 5/9
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 24-100, passed 4-18-2024 and Res. 23-387, passed 11-16-2023; and State legislation approved through 2024 Pamphlet #2).
Full Breakdown
Will County Code § 90.14 makes it unlawful for an owner to let a domestic or companion animal run uncontrolled anywhere in the county, but feral cats are expressly exempt from the at-large ban. Animal Protection Services can impound animals caught running at large under the chapter's redemption procedure. The county's separate rabies-tag rule, § 90.08, also exempts feral cats from tagging, though a feral cat presented to a vet for sterilization must still be vaccinated. The county Administrator enforces this countywide; Joliet, Bolingbrook and other home-rule cities run their own separate animal codes within their limits.
Violations & Fines
First at-large violation costs $100, second $150, third $300 under County Code § 90.99; each day of noncompliance is a separate offense, and impoundment fees and redemption costs apply on top of fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be fined for a feral cat roaming loose in Will County?
What happens if my pet cat is caught running at large?
Does Will County require cat licenses?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
Compare Will County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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