Animal Ordinances in Bolingbrook, IL (2026)
7 verified animal ordinances for Bolingbrook, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Bolingbrook bans keeping chickens, goats, pigeons, geese, turkeys, mules, donkeys, sheep, cattle, swine or other farm fowl on residential property. Horses, mules, donkeys, cattle, goats, sheep and swine cannot be raised in the village at all, with a narrow exception for pre-existing farms over two acres.
Bolingbrook Backyard Chicken and Livestock Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBolingbrook Code of Ordinances § 8-25(a)-(b)
(a)Except as provided for in subsection (b), no goat pen, chicken coop, runway, yard or other place for the keeping of any goat, chicken, pigeon, goose, turkey, mule, donkey, sheep, bovine, swine or other such animal or fowl, of any kind, shall be maintained within the village, except that fowl and rabbits for the purpose of sale in the ordinary course of business may be kept therein in such ar...
Dog Leash Laws
Bolingbrook requires owners to keep dogs and cats from running at large at all times. A pet found loose on a street, sidewalk or public place without a secure leash and without the property owner's permission will be picked up and impounded.
Bolingbrook Dogs and Cats Running at Large Ban
Some RestrictionsBolingbrook Code of Ordinances § 8-42
(a)It is unlawful to fail to prevent any dog or cat from running at large in the village at any time. Dogs or cats which are running at large shall be taken up and impounded.(b)The penalty for violation of this section shall be $75.00, plus the cost of impoundment, if paid within ten days of the date of violation, and each day that such violation shall occur or continue shall constitute a separ...
Breed Restrictions
Bolingbrook does not ban dogs by breed; section 8-62 expressly bars classifying a vicious dog by breed. Instead, a dog is individually declared vicious or dangerous after a court hearing based on its actual conduct, triggering enclosure, insurance and registration duties.
Bolingbrook Vicious and Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsBolingbrook Code of Ordinances § 8-62(a)-(d)
(a)The animal control officer or his or her designee shall issue a citation against the owner of a dog he or she determines qualifies as a vicious dog as defined herein. The citation shall specify the date time and location of a hearing before the court.(b)At the hearing the village must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the dog shall be deemed a vicious dog...(4)No dog shall be dee...
Exotic Pets
Bolingbrook outlaws keeping any predatory mammal or bird, any dangerous animal such as a big cat, bear, wolf or venomous reptile, or any state-protected wild bird or fur-bearing animal. A licensed falconer or salvage-license holder is the only exception the code allows.
Bolingbrook Ban on Dangerous and Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsBolingbrook Code of Ordinances § 8-25(a), (c)-(d)
No predatory mammal or bird of any species may be kept or raised within the village.( ... c)No dangerous animal as defined herein or dog trained or used for dog fighting may be kept or raised within the village.(d)Wildlife prohibited. No person shall possess, harbor or keep any bird or fur-bearing animals which are deemed protected species by the state department of conservation. The provisions...
Wildlife Feeding
Bolingbrook prohibits ground feeding wildlife such as geese, deer, raccoons and coyotes, or scattering table scraps and seed outdoors, in any residential zoning district. Elevated bird feeders that hold feed in a proper container are exempt under Section 34-10, adopted in 2022.
Bolingbrook Ban on Ground Feeding Wildlife
Significant RestrictionsBolingbrook Code of Ordinances § 34-10(a)-(b)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to ground feed, as defined in this section, or place table scraps, seeds, domestic animal food or any like or similar substance out of doors in any residential zoning district of the village, outside of appropriate waste containers.(b)"Ground feeding" shall be defined as the feeding of animals and/or birds, including without limitation, cats, chipmunks, ra...
Pet Limits
Bolingbrook caps residential households at three dogs or three cats, or any combination adding up to three, under section 8-40. A litter of puppies or kittens gets a 120-day grace period from birth before counting against that cap.
Bolingbrook Household Dog and Cat Limit
Some RestrictionsBolingbrook Code of Ordinances § 8-40
(a)No person shall own or harbor in any residential unit more than three dogs or three cats or any combination thereof above three; provided, however, that such limitations shall not apply for a period of 120 days from the date of birth of offspring of dogs or cats in such dwelling unit.(b)The penalty for violation of this section shall be $75.00, and each day that such violation shall occur or...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Bolingbrook does not require spay or neuter for pets generally, but an owner whose dog is declared vicious must prove it has been neutered and microchipped within 15 days at the owner's expense as a condition of keeping the animal.
Bolingbrook Spay/Neuter Rule for Vicious Dogs
Light RestrictionsBolingbrook Code of Ordinances § 8-63(d)(3)
(d)Conditions for keeping. In addition, the owner of a vicious dog must comply with the following conditions:(1)The owner shall register such dog with the village and procure a tag in accordance with the provisions of this Division...(3)The owner must provide proof that the animal has been neutered and micro-chipped within 15 days, if not already, at the owners' expense.
Looking for Will County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bolingbrook city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Will County →