Arlington Heights, IL Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Section 16-104, titled 'Number of Animals,' makes it unlawful for any person to keep more than four animals over four months of age on their property, with an express carve-out for anyone licensed to operate as a pet shop, kennel, or animal shelter. The four-animal cap is not split by species under this Section, meaning a household could keep, for example, two dogs and two cats before hitting the limit, or four dogs and no cats; the ordinance counts total animals rather than setting per-species maximums.

Puppies and kittens under four months old are excluded from the count entirely, so a litter born on the property does not immediately put an owner over the limit. 00 release fee. A resident who wants to exceed four animals, for instance a hobby breeder or rescue foster, would need to obtain the applicable Village and State licensing that exempts pet shop operators, kennel operators, and animal shelters from the numeric cap, rather than seeking a variance, since Chapter 16 does not provide a variance process for Section 16-104.