Elmhurst Code of Ordinances Chapter 13 (Animal Control) prohibits the keeping of fowl, poultry, and livestock within residential zones of the city. Backyard chickens are not permitted. The city is generally classified among the Chicago suburbs that bar residential chickens, although periodic citizen petitions seek to amend the rule.
Elmhurst (pop. 45,786, DuPage County) regulates animals through Chapter 13 (Animal Control) of its Code of Ordinances, hosted at https://library.municode.com/il/elmhurst/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH13ANCO. Chapter 13 prohibits the keeping of fowl, poultry, livestock, swine, goats, sheep, cattle, horses, and similar animals within the city's residential zones. Only the standard domestic pets (dogs, cats, small caged animals, fish) are permitted in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 residential districts under the Zoning Code. Elmhurst is identified in regional chicken-keeping guides as one of the Chicago-area suburbs that bars backyard chickens. Citizen-petition efforts have surfaced periodically to amend the ordinance to allow a small number of hens, but no amendment has been adopted as of 2026. For comparison, neighboring DuPage County towns such as Naperville, Wheaton and Glen Ellyn allow chickens under specific permit programs.
Violations of Chapter 13 are punishable under the city's General Penalty (Code Sec. 1-7), typically a fine of not less than $75 and not more than $750 per offense, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense. Animal Control may seize and impound prohibited animals.
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