Macon County, IL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Manure storage setback
- 75 feet from all property lines
- Farming exemption
- Cattle, hogs, sheep, poultry raised as farming
- RE5 livestock structure setback
- 75 feet from any street or lot line
- General penalty
- Up to $1,000 per violation, per day
- Chronic nuisance penalty
- $400-$1,000 per day
- Enforcing agency
- Macon County Health Department
Summary
In unincorporated Macon County, keeping chickens or livestock is legal, but the county's nuisance code controls how you keep them: coops, pens, and stables cannot be left in a foul or filthy condition, manure must be stored fly-tight and at least 75 feet from every property line, and true farming operations raising cattle, hogs, sheep, or poultry are exempt from this nuisance category.
(B) No person shall keep any chicken coop, corral, animal pen, stable, grounds or premises in a foul, offensive, nauseous, or filthy condition. (C) All manure waste from animals must be removed from the premises and stored in a fly tight container or otherwise meet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations regarding manure storage. No manure storage shall be closer than 75 feet from all property lines. (D) Farming operations such as cattle, hogs, sheep or poultry, are exempt from this category.
Full Breakdown
118, provided any structure other than a fence sits at least 75 feet from any street or lot line, matching the manure-storage setback in the nuisance code. 20) governs coop and pen sanitation county-wide: a chicken coop, corral, animal pen, or stable cannot be kept foul, offensive, nauseous or filthy, and any accumulated manure has to go into a fly-tight container or otherwise meet EPA manure-storage standards, sitting no closer than 75 feet to any property line. The county carves out a broad exemption for actual farming: cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry raised as part of a farming operation are exempt from the whole Category 6 nuisance category, so this rule targets backyard-scale coops and pens rather than working farms.
The Macon County Health Department investigates nuisance complaints for the unincorporated area. 99: a fine of up to $1,000 per violation, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense. 99(C) raises the fine to $400 to $1,000 per day.
Violations & Fines
Letting a coop, pen, or stable go foul or filthy, or storing manure closer than 75 feet to a property line, is a Category 6 nuisance under § 90.20 and draws the general county penalty: up to $1,000 per violation under §§ 90.99(A) and 10.99, with every day the condition continues counted separately. A property the county classifies as a chronic nuisance faces $400 to $1,000 per day instead, under § 90.99(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in unincorporated Macon County?
How far must a chicken coop or manure pile be from my property line?
What happens if my coop or pen becomes a nuisance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Macon County
How Macon County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Macon County 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.