Animal Ordinances in Arlington Heights, IL (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Arlington Heights, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Arlington Heights prohibits keeping chickens, roosters, and most livestock in standard residential zoning districts. The village zoning ordinance limits animal husbandry activities to appropriately zoned areas.
Arlington Heights Chickens and Livestock Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Arlington Heights requires all dogs to be leashed or under the owner's control when off private property. The Village's animal control ordinance prohibits dogs from running at large. Dogs must be restrained by a leash, chain, or other tether when on public streets, sidewalks, parks, or other public areas. Cook County Animal and Rabies Control supplements local enforcement.
Arlington Heights Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Arlington Heights does not impose breed-specific legislation banning or restricting ownership of any particular dog breed. Illinois state law preempts municipalities from enacting breed-specific bans. The Village regulates dogs based on individual behavior rather than breed, with provisions for declaring specific animals dangerous or vicious based on documented incidents.
Arlington Heights Breed-Specific Dog Rules
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
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.
Arlington Heights Beekeeping Regulations
Some Restrictions510 ILCS 20 (Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act)
Every person keeping one or more colonies of bees shall register with the Department annually. (b) Every person keeping one or more colonies of bees may be required to post his or her registration number in a prominent place within each apiary under his or her control. (Source: P.A. 88-138.) (510 ILCS 20/2-1) Sec. 2-1. Nuisances. All bees, colonies, or items of bee equipment, where bee diseases...
Exotic Pets
Arlington Heights prohibits keeping dangerous wild or exotic animals within Village limits. The municipal code restricts ownership of wild, dangerous, or venomous animals on residential property. Illinois state law also regulates exotic animal ownership through the Dangerous Animals Act and the Herptiles-Herps Act. Common domestic pets including dogs, cats, and small caged animals are permitted.
Arlington Heights Exotic Pet Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Arlington Heights discourages feeding wildlife and may enforce nuisance provisions when feeding attracts pest animals. The Village has addressed coyote management and deer populations as suburban wildlife concerns. Feeding deer is discouraged by the Village and Illinois DNR. Intentionally feeding wildlife that creates a nuisance can result in code enforcement action under property maintenance and public nuisance ordinances.
Arlington Heights Wildlife Feeding Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLivestock
Arlington Heights prohibits keeping livestock and farm animals on residential property. The Village's zoning and animal control ordinances restrict animals such as horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs from residential districts. Arlington Heights is a fully developed suburban community and does not have agricultural zoning districts within Village limits.
Arlington Heights Livestock Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Arlington Heights city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Cook County →