Will County, IL Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing provision
- Will County Code § 155-9.25(D)
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Will County only
- Exempt uses
- Licensed zoos, sanctuaries, research labs
- Also banned
- Wolf-dog and wild-cat hybrids
- Path to compliance
- Special use permit, § 155-16.40
Summary
Unincorporated Will County bars keeping exotic, crossbred, or hybrid wild animals as pets outside licensed zoos, circuses, research labs, or sanctuaries under the zoning code's animal-use rules.
Exotic animal: No person shall own, or keep in their custody any exotic or crossbred or hybrid exotic animals in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital or animal sanctuary.
(2) Wildlife domestication: No person shall keep, or permit to be kept, or domesticate any wildlife contrary to federal, state and local laws, and regulations.
(3) Indigenous wildlife: No person shall be permitted to own, harbor or keep in his or her custody any wildlife indigenous to the State of Illinois for the purpose of selling, giving or trading the animal as a pet, irrespective of holding a fur-bearing mammal permit or game breeders permit from the Illinois Department of Conservation. Fur-bearing farms are exempt from this requirement provided that the operation meets the requirement of state and county regulations.
(4) Wildlife hybrids: No person shall own or keep in their custody any domestic animal-wildlife hybrid such as coy dogs, wolf dogs, domestic cats bred to wild cats (e.g. Asian leopard cat, Geoffrey’s cat, and bobcat) or any other wild canine or feline hybrid, in any place other than a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory or veterinary hospital. (Ord. 21-233, passed 7-15-2021)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinance No. 24-100, passed 4-18-2024 and Res. 23-387, passed 11-16-2023; and State legislation approved through 2024 Pamphlet #2).
Full Breakdown
Will County's zoning ordinance prohibits owning or keeping exotic, crossbred, or hybrid exotic animals anywhere except a properly maintained zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory, veterinary hospital, or animal sanctuary. Wolf-dogs, coy-dogs, and wild-domestic cat hybrids fall under the same ban. Licensed rehabilitation facilities, sanctuaries, and zoological parks may instead seek a special use permit with acreage and 250-500 foot setbacks from homes and R-zoned lots. This applies only in unincorporated Will County; Joliet, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Plainfield, and Lockport enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Zoning Administrator enforces; unpermitted exotic-animal keeping is a zoning violation subject to permit denial, stop-work orders, injunctive relief, or administrative adjudication under Chapter 43, with each week uncorrected a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep an exotic animal as a pet in Will County?
Does this rule apply inside Joliet or Bolingbrook?
Are wolf-dogs or hybrid cats covered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Will County
Compare Will County to another location·View the Illinois animal ordinances overview
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