Rock Island County, IL Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- SE-1 livestock setback
- 100 ft from residential zoning
- SE-2 comparison
- Livestock not allowed in SE-2
- Farm animal tiers
- Large, medium, small (defined)
- Small animals listed
- Chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, etc.
- Urban Chickens chapter
- Ch. 157, added 2025, not yet codified
Summary
In the SE-1 Suburban Estates Low Density District of unincorporated Rock Island County, livestock must be kept at least 100 feet from any residentially zoned private property, one of the features distinguishing SE-1 from the county's other suburban and residential districts.
The following are permitted uses in the SE-1 District: (A) Farm; (B) Livestock not less than 100 feet from residentially zoned private property; (C) Nursery or greenhouse; (D) Structure for storage or treatment of seeds; (E) Roadside stand selling products grown on premises; (F) Dwelling, single-family detached (one per tax parcel); and (G) Any other similar uses deemed to be consistent by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-1: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2024-12-A, passed 12-17-2024; and State legislation current through 2024 Illinois Legislative Service, Pamphlet #6).
Full Breakdown
130(B) explains why this district carries that allowance when others do not: 'the primary difference between the SE-1 and the SE-2 Districts is lot size and the allowance of livestock,' meaning SE-2 Suburban Estates Medium Density does not permit livestock keeping the way SE-1 does. 006, classifies FARM ANIMALS into three tiers: large animals such as horses and cattle, medium animals such as sheep and goats, and small animals including rabbits, chinchillas, chickens, turkeys, pheasants, geese, ducks, and pigeons, and defines them as animals 'other than household pets' kept for commercial production and sale, family food production, education, or recreation.
006's FARMING definition, ties the raising of farm poultry and farm animals on agricultural land to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency regulation of feeding and raising practices. 131(B). 111, without the SE-1 district's explicit 100-foot figure.
Violations & Fines
Keeping livestock closer than 100 feet to residentially zoned private property in the SE-1 District violates Section 154.131(B) and is a zoning violation subject to penalty under Section 154.999; the county Building Inspector can require relocation or removal of the animals to bring the property into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must livestock be kept from a residential neighbor in unincorporated Rock Island County?
Can I keep livestock in the SE-2 district instead of SE-1?
Does the county have a specific backyard chicken ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock Island County
How Rock Island County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Rock Island County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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