Naperville, IL Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 10-4-3-2
- New resident grace period
- 30 days
- License required for
- every cat kept in city
- Related rule
- at-large ban, § 10-4-5-3
Summary
Naperville, Illinois requires every cat kept in the city to carry a City license on its collar, with new residents given 30 days to comply.
All persons who own or keep any dog and/or cat within the corporate limits of the City shall obtain a City dog and/or cat license for each such animal. New residents of the City of Naperville shall have thirty (30) days to obtain a City dog and/or cat license.2.License Nontransferable: No person may transfer a dog and/or cat license from one dog and/or cat to another.3.Displaying License: Every owner of a dog and/or cat shall firmly secure a current City dog and/or cat license to the licensed dog and/or cat by means of a collar.4.Any dog that has been deemed as a dangerous dog under Section 10-4-5-5 of this Chapter shall be required to obtain a dangerous dog license identifying the dog as dangerous. The tag color and shape shall change annually. A fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be paid to the City of Naperville upon issuance, and after completion of an annual inspection. (Ord. No. 15-003, § 1, 1-6-2015; Ord. No. 23-147, § 2, 11-7-2023)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 101).
Full Breakdown
Naperville Municipal Code § 10-4-3-2 requires anyone who owns or keeps a cat within city limits to obtain a City cat license for each animal, secured to the cat's collar. New residents get thirty days to get licensed, and a license can't be transferred between animals. Cats are also covered by the running-at-large rule at § 10-4-5-3, which bars letting a cat roam city streets, alleys, sidewalks, or another owner's property off-leash. Naperville sits mainly in DuPage County with territory in Will County, and both licensing and at-large enforcement run through the City's Animal Control Officer.
Violations & Fines
License and at-large violations fall under Chapter 4's general penalty: $100 for a first offense, and $100 to $500 for each repeat offense, with every day a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cats need to be licensed in Naperville?
Can cats roam free in Naperville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Naperville
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