Animal Ordinances in Evanston, IL (2026)
12 verified animal ordinances for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Evanston bans horses, swine, sheep, goats, cattle and poultry generally, but allows a licensed coop of 2 to 6 hens, with roosters barred outside school agricultural programs.
Evanston Backyard Hens Rules
Significant RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-5
It shall be unlawful, and is hereby declared a nuisance for any person to keep or allow to be kept any animal of the species of horse, mule, swine, sheep, goat, cattle, poultry (with the exception of hens as herein provided), skunks, or poisonous reptiles within the corporation limits of the City of Evanston.(B)Hens shall mean the female of the species Gallus Gallus Domesticas.(C)It shall be un...
Dog Leash Laws
Evanston requires every animal except cats to be kept under restraint at all times under City Code Section 9-4-7(A). Dogs and cats can't enter food establishments even on a leash, can't set foot on school grounds or public beaches other than the designated dog beach, and must stay leashed on any public park or playground.
Evanston Animal Restraint and Leash Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-7
(A)All animals except cats shall be kept under restraint.(B)It shall be unlawful for any animal, even though on leash, to be or enter upon any public hall, restaurant, confectionery shop, coffee shop, ice cream or soft drink establishment, office, store, grocery, meat market, bakery or any store or shop for the sale of food, except any shop for the sale of animal pets, anywhere within the City ...
Breed Restrictions
Evanston does not restrict dogs by breed: City Code Section 9-4-3-1 requires a license be issued to any dog owner "irrespective of the breed type," and Section 5-3-3-3(A)(13) makes any rental-agreement clause banning a specific dog breed unenforceable. Instead, the Chief of Police can individually declare a dog "dangerous" under Section 9-4-17 based on documented behavior, triggering confinement, muzzling, insurance and licensing requirements regardless of breed.
Evanston Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-17(A)(1), (B)(1)
(A) Designation of Dangerous Dogs. 1. The Chief of Police or his/her designee may, after conducting an investigation, declare a dog to be a "dangerous dog." The investigation shall include one or all of the following: a. Consideration of evidence pertaining to the temperament of the dog; b. Evaluation of any and all testimony, documentation, or information regarding any pending or prior complai...
Beekeeping
Evanston permits residential beekeeping under Title 9 (Animals) of the City Code with registration and setback requirements. Beekeepers must register hives with the city and maintain them according to Illinois Department of Agriculture standards. Hives must be set back from property lines and a flyway barrier is required when hives are near neighboring yards.
Evanston Beekeeping Regulations
Some Restrictions510 ILCS 20 - Bees and Apiaries Act
"Apiary" means a place where one or more hives or colonies of bees are kept. "Bee diseases" means any infectious or contagious diseases of bees as specified by the Department, including but not limited to American foulbrood. "Bee equipment" means hives, supers, frames, or any other devices used in beekeeping. "Bee parasites" means any parasite of bees as specified by the Department. "Beekeeper"...
Exotic Pets
Evanston bans keeping any wild or vicious animal on residential premises outright under City Code Section 9-4-16, with no permit path for ordinary households. The only exemptions cover licensed zoological gardens, theatrical exhibits and circuses, and even those cannot force animals to perform using chemical, electrical or mechanical devices. The Animal Control Warden, the Chief of Police acting ex officio, enforces the ban, and repeat violations can bar someone from ever owning a pet in Evanston again.
Evanston Wild and Vicious Animal Ban
Heavy RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-16
No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his/her premises any wild or vicious animal. This Section shall not be construed so as to apply to a licensed or permitted "zoological garden," "theatrical exhibit" or "circus" as defined in Section 9-4-1 of this Chapter, except that no theatrical exhibit or act shall be held in which animals are encouraged to perform through the use of chemical, ele...
Wildlife Feeding
Evanston bans loose feed scattered on the ground for wild or feral mammals and birds: Section 8-3-8-2 requires all feed sit inside an approved container or feeder. The chapter caps how many feeders a lot may have, limits feeder size and placement, and fines violators ten to seven hundred fifty dollars.
Evanston Wild Bird and Mammal Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 8-3-8-2
All feed must be placed within an approved container, receptacle or feeder designed for the feeding of wild/feral mammals and/or birds as defined in this Section 8-3-8...The maximum number of feeders per residential or business/commercial lot shall be as follows: Hanging feeders 4; Suet feeders 2; Water dispensers 2; Platform feeders 1; Hummingbird feeders No limit...All feeders must be located...
Pet Limits
Evanston caps any premises at three dogs under City Code Section 9-4-3-2(A), and dogs under four months old don't count toward that limit. Kennels, pet shops and veterinary clinics that are separately authorized to house more animals are exempt. A stricter one-dog cap applies to dangerous dogs under Section 9-4-3-2(B), with only veterinary care exempted from that limit.
Evanston Household Dog Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-3-2
(A)The occupancy of any premises by more than three (3) dogs, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall be prohibited. Said prohibition shall not include dogs less than four (4) months of age. Exempted from this limitation are those commercial uses, specifically authorized elsewhere in this Code, for which occupancy by dogs is customary (such as, but not limited to, kennels, pet shops and veterinar...
Cat Rules
Declawing a cat anywhere in Evanston is illegal unless a licensed veterinarian certifies the procedure is medically necessary. City Code Section 9-4-22(B) bans onychectomy, tendonectomy and every other method of removing or disabling a cat's claws for convenience, and violators face a $2,000.00 fine for every cat declawed.
Evanston Bans Cat Declawing
Heavy RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-22
(A)Definitions. As used in this Section, the following words, terms, and phrases have the following meanings: CAT. An animal of the taxonomic family felidae. DECLAWING PROCEDURE. An onychectomy, partial or complete phalangectomy, partial digital amputation, tendonectomy, or other procedure to alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent the normal functioning of the cat's toes, claws, or paws....
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Evanston has no citywide spay-or-neuter law, but City Code Section 9-4-17(H) makes spaying or neutering mandatory for any dog the Chief of Police designates a "dangerous dog." Once designated, the owner must have the dog spayed or neutered and microchipped, both at the owner's own expense, before the dog can be released.
Evanston Dangerous Dog Spay-Neuter Mandate
Significant RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-17(H)
(H)Spay; Neuter; Microchip: Every owner of a dangerous dog must:1.Spay/neuter the dangerous dog at the owner's expense; and2.Have an identifying microchip implanted in the dangerous dog at the owner's expense. The microchip must be implanted by a veterinarian authorized by the animal warden. The owner or keeper shall provide the microchip number to the animal control department for inclusion in...
Pet Store Rules
Pet stores in Evanston cannot sell, barter, or give away cats, dogs, or rabbits: they can only host adoption events for licensed rescues, with no ownership stake or fee for the space.
Evanston Pet Store Sale Ban
Heavy RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 3-33-2
No pet store shall sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction give away, or otherwise transfer or dispose of cats, dogs or rabbits. Nothing in this section shall prohibit pet stores from collaborating with animal care facilities or animal rescue organizations to offer space for such entities to showcase adoptable dogs, cats and rabbits provided that the pet store shall not have any ownershi...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Animal hospitals need special use approval in Evanston's B1 business district, going through public hearing review rather than automatic permitting like retail or restaurant uses.
Evanston Requires Special Use Permit for Animal Hospitals
Significant RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 6-9-2-3
The following uses may be allowed in the B1 district, subject to the provisions set forth in Section 6-3-5, "Special Uses," of this Title: Administrative review uses, pursuant to Section 6-3-5-16(B) "Applicable Uses." Animal hospital. Aquaponics. Banquet hall. Bed and breakfast establishments. Boarding house. Business or vocational school. Convenience store. Craft alc...
Bird Protection
Killing, wounding, or trying to kill or wound any game or song bird within Evanston, or taking its eggs or young, is an offense under City Code Section 9-4-15. The violation carries the Animal Chapter's general fine of $10.00 to $500.00 per offense, enforced by the Animal Control Warden and Evanston Police.
Evanston Bans Killing Wild Birds
Heavy RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 9-4-15
Any person who kills, wounds or attempts to kill or wound, any game or song bird in the City or takes the eggs or young of any such bird shall be guilty of an offense and subject to the penalty prescribed by this Chapter.
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