Cook County, IL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Fowl enclosure rule
- Adequate enclosure required, no acreage minimum
- Livestock minimum lot
- Five-acre minimum lot for livestock
- Fowl vs. livestock
- Fowl excluded from livestock definition
- Applies where
- Unincorporated Cook County only
- Penalty
- $100-$1,000 fine per offense per day
Summary
In unincorporated Cook County, chickens and other fowl need only an adequate enclosure, but livestock like goats or cattle require a five-acre minimum lot: the zoning code excludes fowl from that livestock definition entirely.
B.Livestock. The keeping of livestock shall be limited to a minimum lot area of five acres; livestock shall be kept in an adequate enclosure suitable for the confinement of such animals. For the purposes of this section, fowls shall not be considered livestock. ... D.Fowl. Fowls shall be kept in an adequate enclosure suitable for the confinement of such animals.
Full Breakdown
Cook County's zoning ordinance (Appendix A) governs unincorporated territory and any municipality without its own zoning code. Under Section 8.7.7, fowl, including chickens, must be kept in an adequate enclosure suitable for confinement, and the ordinance explicitly excludes fowl from the definition of livestock. Livestock such as cattle, goats or swine can only be kept on a lot of at least five acres, while horses are treated as a separate category needing only an adequate enclosure. Farms, veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, kennels, zoos and animal shelters are exempt from this section entirely.
Violations & Fines
Violating the zoning ordinance's animal-keeping standards draws a fine of $100 to $1,000 per offense; the Department of Building and Zoning enforces it, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens in unincorporated Cook County?
How much land do I need to keep goats or cattle?
Does this rule apply in Chicago or other Cook County towns?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
How Cook County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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