Skokie prohibits all livestock including horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry on residential lots. The village has no agricultural zoning, and all land is zoned residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional with no farm animal provisions.
Skokie's Chapter 14 (Animals) and zoning code prohibit the keeping of livestock anywhere in the village. Livestock is defined broadly to include horses, ponies, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, llamas, alpacas, and all poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys). As a fully urbanized suburban community adjacent to Chicago, Skokie has no agricultural or rural zoning districts. This prohibition applies regardless of lot size and cannot be waived through variance. Miniature or 'pet' varieties of farm animals (mini-pigs, mini-goats) are also considered livestock under the ordinance. Residents seeking to keep farm animals should investigate properties in unincorporated areas of McHenry or Lake County with appropriate zoning. Contact Code Enforcement at (847) 933-8235.
Livestock kept in Skokie must be removed upon notice. Fines range from $100 to $750 per animal per day. The village may impound animals that are not removed by the compliance deadline, with owners responsible for boarding and transport costs.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Skokie, IL
Aircraft overflight noise in Skokie is regulated by the FAA, not the Village. Skokie lies within the O'Hare International Airport noise corridor, and residen...
Skokie, IL
Skokie restricts lawn equipment use — including gas and electric leaf blowers — to 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunda...
Skokie, IL
Skokie enforces a village-wide overnight parking ban from 2:00 AM to 6:00 AM on all public streets. Residents and guests must obtain an overnight parking per...
Skokie, IL
Skokie Village Code Chapter 98 prohibits parking recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and campers on residential streets or in front yards. RVs and boats ...
Skokie, IL
Skokie prohibits parking of commercial vehicles over 8,000 pounds gross weight on residential streets and driveways overnight. Box trucks, semi-tractors, and...
Skokie, IL
Skokie limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Corner lots have additional sight-line restrictions at intersect...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle livestock.
See how Skokie's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.