Springfield permits backyard chickens in residential zones subject to zoning approval, with hens kept in the rear yard and properly enclosed; roosters are discouraged as a noise nuisance. Springfield Municipal Code Chapter 96 bars keeping livestock or poultry in the Lake Springfield 'Zone E' watershed and prohibits animals from running at large or being washed or watered in the reservoir.
Keeping of fowl and livestock in Springfield is governed by the city's zoning and Lake Springfield watershed rules rather than a single permissive 'backyard chicken' section. In standard residential zones, hens may be kept in the rear yard subject to zoning approval and the city's general nuisance ordinance, which the police and code enforcement use to address odor, noise, and free-range birds; roosters are typically treated as a noise nuisance. The number of chickens allowed varies by zone. The most specific written restriction is in Springfield Municipal Code Chapter 96 (Lake Springfield), which divides the watershed into zones and provides that no livestock or poultry shall be kept in 'Zone E,' that no domestic livestock or poultry may run at large in Zone E, and that no animal or poultry shall be allowed to stand, wallow, wade, swim, or be washed or watered in the reservoir. Because Springfield's own livestock rules are tied to zoning and the lake watershed, residents planning to keep hens, ducks, goats, or other animals should confirm the zone classification and any setback or enclosure conditions with the Springfield Building and Zoning Department (217-789-2171) before acquiring animals.
Keeping chickens or livestock in a zone where they are not permitted, or without required zoning approval, is enforceable by the Springfield Building and Zoning Department and the city's nuisance provisions; allowing birds to roam, or creating odor or noise, can draw a nuisance citation. Keeping livestock or poultry in the Lake Springfield Zone E, letting them run at large there, or watering or washing animals in the reservoir violates Springfield Municipal Code Chapter 96 and is enforced as a watershed-protection offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Springfield, IL
Springfield City Code section 98.05 specifically targets vehicle sound: operating a sound-reproducing device in a motor vehicle on the public way that is cle...
Springfield, IL
No Springfield-specific ordinance directly addresses aircraft noise; the field is preempted by federal law (the Federal Aviation Act and the Noise Control Ac...
Springfield, IL
Springfield prohibits storing abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles on public streets or visible on private property. Vehicles may be tagged and to...
Springfield, IL
Springfield regulates electric vehicle charging infrastructure for residential and commercial properties. Building codes may require EV-ready parking in new ...
Springfield, IL
Springfield has no blanket overnight parking ban, but City Code Sec. 79.29 limits how long a vehicle may sit on a public street: ordinary passenger vehicles ...
Springfield, IL
Springfield requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
See how Springfield's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.