Bolingbrook, IL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 8-25(a)-(b)
- Penalty
- $250.00 per day of violation
- Banned outright
- Horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep, swine
- Farm exception
- Working farm over 2 acres only
- Commercial exception
- Fowl/rabbits for sale in zoned commercial areas
Summary
Bolingbrook bans keeping chickens, goats, pigeons, geese, turkeys, mules, donkeys, sheep, cattle, swine or other farm fowl on residential property. Horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep and swine cannot be raised in the village at all, with a narrow exception for pre-existing farms over two acres.
(a)Except as provided for in subsection (b), 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, except that fowl and rabbits for the purpose of sale in the ordinary course of business may be kept therein in such areas as are permitted under the zoning code and other applicable ordinances. No horse, mule, donkey, bovine, goat, sheep or swine shall be raised or kept in the village.( ... b)Those residents who are presently operating a farm shall be allowed to keep or house animals which are commonly used, housed or kept in connection with the operation and maintenance of the farm; provided that the farm shall constitute an area in excess of two acres on which plants and crops are growing.
Full Breakdown
Section 8-25(a) of the Code of Ordinances bars maintaining a goat pen, chicken coop, runway, yard or any other place for keeping a goat, chicken, pigeon, goose, turkey, mule, donkey, sheep, bovine, swine or other such animal or fowl anywhere in the village. A narrow commercial carve-out lets fowl and rabbits be kept for sale in the ordinary course of business, but only in areas permitted under the zoning code, chapter 54, meaning it takes a commercial zoning classification, not a residential backyard. The same subsection flatly bars raising or keeping horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep or swine in the village, full stop, with no residential exception at all.
Subsection (b) preserves one narrow grandfather right: residents already operating a farm may keep animals customarily used in connection with that farm, but only if the property exceeds two acres of land actually growing crops or plants. A residential lot under two acres, or one not actively farmed, gets no benefit from this clause. 00 penalty under subsection (e), with each day the coop, pen or animal remains a separate offense, so a homeowner cited for an illegal chicken coop faces recurring daily fines until the animals and structure are removed.
The village's animal control officer, appointed by the police chief under section 8-3, has authority to enforce this chapter and, per that same section, may humanely destroy an animal when necessary to protect life or property.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a prohibited animal or fowl, including backyard chickens, is a $250.00 fine under section 8-25(e), with a new offense accruing for each day the violation continues. There is no permit process to legalize a residential coop; the only lawful paths are the two-acre working-farm exception in subsection (b) or commercial keeping for sale within properly zoned commercial areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a few backyard chickens in Bolingbrook?
Is there any way to legally keep goats or sheep in Bolingbrook?
What happens if code enforcement finds an illegal coop on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bolingbrook
How Bolingbrook compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Bolingbrook to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Chickens & Livestock in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Will County handle chickens & livestock.