Arlington Heights's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Arlington Heights, Illinois, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pet Store Rules

Pet shops in Arlington Heights may sell or offer for adoption dogs, cats and other common pets, but only under a Pet Shop Operator's license backed by a current Illinois Department of Agriculture license, per Municipal Code Section 12-1501. Section 12-1506 forces every dog and cat sale to come with a detailed written breeder-disclosure statement.

Key details: License required: Pet Shop Operator license, Sec. 12-1501. State license: Current IL Dept of Agriculture license, Sec. 12-1503. Disclosure: Signed statement per dog/cat sale, Sec. 12-1506. Record retention: At least 2 years, Sec. 12-1506. Dyed animals: Selling dyed rabbits/fowl banned, Sec. 12-1505.

Selling a dog or cat without providing the signed Disclosure Statement, or operating without a current Illinois Department of Agriculture license on file, violates Article XV and exposes the Pet Shop Operator's Village business license to suspension or revocation for noncompliance with Code requirements.

Dog Leash Laws

Arlington Heights, Illinois, requires every dog to be "securely on a leash" whenever it is on a public street, alley, sidewalk, or other public place, under Municipal Code Section 16-210. The Village defines a leash as a cord, thong, or chain no more than eight feet long, and separately bars dogs, leashed or not, from Village parks.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 16-210. Leash defined: cord/thong/chain, 8 ft. maximum. Minimum fine: $25.00 per offense. Public parks: dogs barred even on a leash. Impoundment fee: $25.00 plus facility charges.

An unleashed dog on a public street, sidewalk, or other public place violates Section 16-210 and carries a minimum $25.00 fine per offense under Section 16-501(a); the animal may also be impounded as "uncontrolled" under Section 16-108, requiring a $25.00 impoundment fee plus facility charges before release. Unpaid tickets proceed through Administrative Adjudication under Chapter 18, Article VIII.

Exotic Pets

Arlington Heights, Illinois does not ban dangerous or wild animals outright, but Section 16-105 of the Municipal Code requires a Police Chief permit and a $30.00 daily fee before anyone can exhibit or parade a 'dangerous animal,' defined as one inherently incapable of domestication under the legal standard of ferae naturae.

Key details: Permit required: For exhibiting/parading a dangerous animal. Issuing authority: Police Chief. Fee: $30.00 per day or part of a day. Legal standard: Inherently non-domesticable, ferae naturae. Police authority: May kill dangerous animal to protect public.

Exhibiting or parading a dangerous animal in the Village without the Police Chief's permit, or without paying the required $30.00 daily fee, is a violation enforced under Chapter 16's general penalty, Section 16-501: a fine of not less than $25.00 per offense, with each day treated as a separate offense. Village police also retain authority under Section 16-106 to kill a dangerous animal when necessary to protect public safety.

This is one of the stricter rules in Arlington Heights's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Pet Limits

Arlington Heights, Illinois limits any household to four animals over four months old under Section 16-104 of the Municipal Code. The cap counts dogs, cats, and other pets together rather than by species, and it does not apply to a licensed pet shop operator, kennel operator, or animal shelter.

Key details: Household cap: 4 animals over 4 months old. Counting: Combined total, not per species. Age exclusion: Animals under 4 months not counted. Exemption: Licensed pet shop, kennel, animal shelter. Penalty: $25 minimum per offense, Section 16-501.

Keeping more than four animals over four months old without qualifying for the pet shop, kennel, or shelter exemption is enforced under Chapter 16's general penalty, Section 16-501: a fine of not less than $25.00 for each offense, with each day the excess animals remain on the property counted as a separate offense, plus a $25.00 late-payment penalty if unresolved 21 days after the hearing date.

Chickens & Livestock

Arlington Heights, Illinois bans chickens, geese, ducks, and every farm animal, including pigs, cattle, horses, goats, and sheep, from any Residential District in the Village. Section 16-103 of the Municipal Code makes keeping or raising these animals unlawful outright, with no permit or hardship exception written into the ordinance.

Key details: Banned animals: Pigs, cattle, horses, goats, sheep, farm animals. Banned fowl: Chickens, geese, ducks, similar fowl. Where: Any Residential District in the Village. Exceptions: None written into Section 16-103. Enacted by: Ord. #12-014, #13-013, #13-042.

Keeping a prohibited farm animal or fowl in a Residential District is enforced under Chapter 16's general penalty, Section 16-501: a fine of not less than $25.00 for each offense, with a separate offense deemed committed on each day the violation continues, plus a $25.00 late-payment penalty if the ticket is not resolved within 21 days after the hearing date. Tickets are processed through the Village's Administrative Adjudication process.

Compared to other cities, Arlington Heights takes a harder line on chickens & livestock. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Breed Restrictions

Arlington Heights, Illinois, does not restrict dog ownership by breed; instead, Municipal Code Section 16-501(b) imposes escalating court penalties on any animal's owner after it attacks and injures a person or another animal, running from a $25 to $750 fine on a first offense up to mandatory court proceedings and a possible destruction order after repeat attacks.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 16-501(b). Breed-specific rules: none; conduct-based, not breed-based. First offense fine: $25.00 to $750.00. Second offense (2 yrs): $100.00 to $750.00. Third offense/severe harm: $250-$750 and/or destruction order.

A first attack conviction under Section 16-501(b) draws a fine of $25.00 to $750.00; a second conviction within two years draws $100.00 to $750.00. A third conviction, or any case involving great bodily harm or death, exposes the owner to a $250.00-$750.00 fine and a possible court order to confiscate and destroy the animal, plus restitution for medical or property costs.

This is one of the stricter rules in Arlington Heights's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Beekeeping

Arlington Heights permits beekeeping on residential property subject to conditions. The Village amended its ordinance to allow backyard beekeeping with restrictions on hive placement, number of colonies, and flyway barriers. Illinois does not prohibit residential beekeeping and the Illinois Department of Agriculture maintains a voluntary apiary registration program.

Key details: Beekeeping Allowed: Yes, with conditions. Hive Location: Rear yard only. Flyway Barrier: 6-foot barrier required. Water Source: Must be provided on-site. State Registration: Voluntary through IDOA.

Failure to maintain required setbacks, flyway barriers, or water sources may result in code enforcement action. Complaints about aggressive bee behavior or swarms may trigger an inspection. Fines apply for non-compliance with hive placement requirements. Contact Code Enforcement at (847) 368-5200.

The Bottom Line

Arlington Heights is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Arlington Heights, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Arlington Heights can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.