Urbana allows residents to keep up to 6 hens with a Coop License under Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl) of the Urbana Code of Ordinances. Roosters are prohibited. The annual coop license fee is $25, coops must be in the rear yard and fully enclosed, providing a minimum of 4 square feet per hen indoors and 8 square feet per hen in the outdoor run.
Urbana's Code of Ordinances Chapter 4 (Animals and Fowl) is one of the more permissive small-flock ordinances in Illinois. Only residents of single-family and two-family dwellings are eligible for a Coop License. The license costs $25 and authorizes up to 6 hens per residence — no roosters are allowed. Coops must be located in the rear yard only, with a minimum of 4 sq ft of indoor floor area per hen and a minimum 8 sq ft of outdoor run area per hen. The coop and run must be fully enclosed on all sides, including the top, with predator-resistant construction. Larger livestock (goats, pigs, cattle, horses, sheep) are not permitted in standard residential zones. The Urbana Animal Control division enforces both the license and zoning provisions; license renewal is annual. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's presence has made Urbana one of the central Illinois cities most receptive to backyard chicken keeping.
Keeping hens without a Coop License or exceeding the 6-hen cap is a code violation. Urbana Animal Control may revoke the license and require removal of birds. Fines for violating Chapter 4 are set by the city schedule of fees; repeat violators may be referred to the Champaign County Circuit Court.
See how Urbana's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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