Animal Ordinances in Peoria, IL (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Peoria, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Peoria's Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 (Animals) prohibits the keeping of livestock — including cattle, horses, swine, sheep, goats, and fowl such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys — within the city limits except on land zoned for agricultural use under Appendix B (Zoning Ordinance). Chickens are not permitted in standard residential R-1 through R-7 districts. Property owners seeking to keep poultry must verify zoning at the Community Development Department before acquiring birds.
Peoria IL Chickens, Livestock and Fowl
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Peoria Code Chapter 5 (Animals) prohibits any dog from running at large within the city. Owners must keep dogs under restraint on a leash when off the owner's premises. Peoria County Animal Protection Services administers state-mandated registration under the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/), including rabies vaccination tags. Dog waste must be removed from public property and other private property under the city's pooper-scooper rules.
Peoria IL Dog Leash and Running-at-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Peoria does not have a breed-specific ordinance and cannot enact one. Illinois Public Act 097-1108, which amended the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/24), prohibits Illinois municipalities from regulating dogs in a manner specific to breed. All dog regulations in Peoria — including dangerous-dog designation — must be based on individual animal behavior, not breed.
Peoria IL Breed-Specific Legislation (Preempted by State Law)
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Peoria's Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 (Animals) does not include an express beekeeping ordinance permitting urban apiaries in residential districts. Bees are typically treated as livestock under the city's animal regulations and are restricted to agricultural-zoned parcels under Appendix B (Zoning Ordinance). State-level registration of apiaries with the Illinois Department of Agriculture is required under the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act (510 ILCS 20/).
Peoria IL Beekeeping Rules
Heavy Restrictions510 ILCS 20 (Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act)
(510 ILCS 20/) Bees and Apiaries Act. function redirectToIlcsSearch() { window.location.href = '/search?base=ILCS'; } function redirectToIlcsActSearch() { window.location.href = '/search/ILCS'; } Back to Act Listing
Exotic Pets
Peoria's Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 (Animals) restricts the keeping of exotic, dangerous, and wild animals consistent with the Illinois Dangerous Animals Act (720 ILCS 585/) and the Illinois Herptiles-Herps Act (510 ILCS 68/). Big cats, bears, primates, venomous reptiles, and other dangerous animals are effectively prohibited within the city. Possession of certain wildlife species also requires permits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Peoria IL Exotic and Dangerous Animals
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Peoria's Code of Ordinances Chapter 18 (Property Maintenance) prohibits conditions that attract rodents, including the feeding of wildlife in a manner that creates a public nuisance. Direct feeding of deer is also restricted at the county and state level under Illinois Department of Natural Resources rules (17 IL Adm. Code 635) to reduce chronic-wasting-disease spread. Bird feeders are generally permitted if maintained to prevent rodent or bear-attraction issues.
Peoria IL Wildlife Feeding Rules
Some RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
Peoria addresses animal hoarding through the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act (510 ILCS 70/2.10), which defines 'companion animal hoarder' and makes hoarding a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for subsequent offenses. Local enforcement is by Peoria County Animal Protection Services in coordination with Peoria Police; municipal nuisance citations under Peoria Code Chapter 18 can also apply.
Peoria IL Animal Hoarding
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
Peoria's Code of Ordinances Chapter 5 (Animals) does not impose a specific numerical cap on dogs or cats per household, but excessive numbers that result in odor, sanitation, or noise complaints can be cited as nuisances under Chapter 18 (Property Maintenance). Households keeping more than the customary number for residential use should be aware of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act's hoarding standard (510 ILCS 70/2.10).
Peoria IL Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsLooking for Peoria County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Peoria city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Peoria County →