Animal Ordinances in Bloomington, IL (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Bloomington, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the City of Bloomington, Zoning Code Section 44-1011 permits up to four chickens as an accessory use on lots one acre or smaller with a home, preschool, or school, plus one more chicken per half acre beyond that. Roosters and slaughtering chickens are banned, and every chicken-keeping use needs an accessory-use permit.
Bloomington Zoning Allows Up to Four Backyard Chickens
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 44-1011
On lots less than or equal to one acre with a primary use of a single-family or two-family dwelling, or primary use of 1) preschools, 2) private and public schools, and 3) boarding schools, the keeping of up to four chickens may be permitted as an accessory use and shall comply with Chapter 8 and Chapter 22 of the Bloomington Code, 1960, as amended. ... Neither the keeping of roosters nor the k...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Bloomington, every dog owner must keep the dog under restraint at all times, on or off the owner's premises, under § 8-206, meaning secure enclosure or a leash of sufficient strength, with fines starting at $50 for a first offense.
Bloomington Dog Leash and Restraint Law
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 8-206
It shall be the duty of every owner of any dog or anyone having any dog in his possession or custody to ensure that the dog is kept under restraint at all times that the dog is on or off the premises of the owner. ... Under physical control of a leash, chain, cord, cable and trolley, or other tether of sufficient strength and connection to the animal to prevent escape, and securely established,...
Breed Restrictions
In the City of Bloomington, dogs are declared dangerous or vicious through a Police Department complaint and hearing process, and § 8-201 specifically bars any such finding from resting solely on the dog's breed, so no breed is banned outright.
Bloomington Dangerous and Vicious Dog Declaration Process
Significant RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 8-201, 8-208(A)
Any dog that has been declared a dangerous dog by any other jurisdiction, provided that such finding was not based solely upon the breed of the dog. ... Any dog which has been found to be a dangerous dog on three separate occasions in this or any other jurisdiction provided that such finding was not based solely upon the breed of the dog; or ... Any person may file a complaint with the Police D...
Beekeeping
In the City of Bloomington, Zoning Code Section 44-1005 lets residents keep honey bees only if hives sit at least 10 feet from any property line, are registered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and stay within a lot-size cap: two hives by right on lots under an acre, plus one more per half acre above that as a conditional use.
Bloomington Zoning Caps Backyard Beehives by Lot Size
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 44-1005
No person shall maintain any colony of bees, including honey bees, combs, honey, pollen, and brood, anywhere in the City without complying with the following requirements. ... All honey bee hives shall be registered with the State Department of Agriculture as required by state law. ... Colonies shall be maintained in movable frames or similar hives located in the side or rear yard not less than...
Wildlife Feeding
In the City of Bloomington, feeding wild birds not held in captivity is illegal within a defined downtown territory bounded by Chestnut Street, Prairie Street, Oakland Avenue and Lee Street, with violators fined $10 to $100 for each offense under § 8-107.
Bloomington Bans Feeding Birds in Downtown Zone
Significant RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 8-107
It shall be illegal for any person to feed or put food out for any birds not then held in captivity within the territory in the City bounded on the north by the north line of Chestnut Street, on the east by the east line of Prairie Street, on the south by the south line of Oakland Avenue, and on the west by the west line of Lee Street. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section ...
Cat Rules
In the City of Bloomington, cats must stay on their owner's premises unless under physical control, and every dog or cat must carry current McLean County registration and rabies vaccination proof, with registration fines running from $250 to $1,000 per offense.
Bloomington Cat At-Large and Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 8-207, 8-210
It shall be illegal for the owner of any cat, or anyone having any cat in their possession or custody, to allow the cat to leave the premises of the owner or custodian, unless it is under the physical control of such person. ... The penalties for violation of this section shall be the same as the penalties established in § 8-206B. ... It shall be illegal for any person to own or have in his or ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
In the City of Bloomington, any dog formally declared dangerous or vicious by the Police Department must be spayed or neutered under § 8-208, a mandate tied to the declaration rather than a citywide requirement for all dogs and cats.
Bloomington Requires Spay/Neuter for Declared Dangerous Dogs
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 8-208(C)(3), (D)(6)
Any dog declared dangerous shall be spayed or neutered. ... The owner of a vicious dog shall have said dog spayed or neutered.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Bloomington's Zoning Code sets location standards for veterinary offices and clinics at § 44-1035: a clinic cannot sit within 300 feet of a Residential District boundary, must enclose outdoor animal areas with a six-foot wire mesh fence, and needs a lot at least 200 feet wide.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning in Bloomington, IL
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 44-1035
A Veterinary Office or Clinic shall not be located closer than 300 feet to a Residential District boundary line. ... A six-foot high wire mesh fence shall be required to enclose outdoor animal areas. ... The width of a lot containing a veterinary office or clinic shall not be less than 200 feet.
Bird Protection
In the City of Bloomington, it is illegal to be cruel to any animal or bird, and separately illegal to kill, wound or shoot at any bird or squirrel anywhere in the city, including on private property, with fines up to $500 per offense for violators.
Bloomington Bans Cruelty to and Killing of Birds
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 8-105, 8-106
It shall be illegal for any person to be cruel to any animal or bird. ... It shall be illegal for any person to kill or wound or attempt to kill or wound by the use of any firearm, bow and arrow, pelting with stones, or otherwise, any bird or squirrel within the City or to shoot an arrow or throw a stone or club or throw or shoot any other missile at any bird or squirrel within any private prop...