Animal Ordinances in Champaign County, IL (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Champaign County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Both Champaign and Urbana allow up to six backyard hens, no roosters, with a $25 coop license. Rural, unincorporated Champaign County is farm country where livestock is a normal permitted agricultural use under county zoning.
Champaign County Chickens & Livestock Rules
Some RestrictionsChampaign County Animal Control Ordinance No. 2024-10, Sec. 7.1 (Running At Large)
All owners of companion animals and livestock shall prevent said animal from running at large in any unincorporated areas of the County. Any animal found to be running at large in such an area shall be deemed a nuisance and may be impounded.
Dog Leash Laws
Countywide, every dog and cat over four months must be vaccinated against rabies and registered with Champaign County Animal Control. Off its property, a dog must be on a leash no longer than six feet in unincorporated areas; Champaign and Urbana add city leash laws.
Champaign County Dog Leash & License Rules
Some RestrictionsChampaign County Animal Control Ordinance No. 2024-10, Sec. 12.1 (510 ILCS 5/8)
Every owner of a dog or cat residing within Champaign County and is four or more months of age shall cause such dog or cat to be inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian annually and register said dog or cat with the Department.
Breed Restrictions
No city in Champaign County may ban or restrict dogs by breed. Illinois law (510 ILCS 5/24) preempts breed-specific ordinances statewide, so pit bulls and every other breed are legal. Dogs are regulated only for individual dangerous behavior.
Champaign County Dog Breed Restrictions
Few Restrictions510 ILCS 5/24 (Animal Control Act)
to further control and regulate dogs, cats or other animals in such municipality or other political subdivision provided that no regulation, policy or ordinance is specific to breed.
Pet Limits
Champaign County's Zoning Ordinance caps household pet-keeping at five dogs or five cats before the parcel is reclassified as a regulated "kennel" use. Once a lot holds six or more dogs or six or more cats over six months old, county zoning treats it as a commercial kennel requiring a special use permit.
Champaign County Household Pet Limit Rule
Some RestrictionsChampaign County, IL Zoning Ordinance, Section 3.0 (Definitions - KENNEL)
KENNEL: A LOT or PREMISES on which six or more dogs or six or more cats (or any combination thereof) at least six months of age are kept, boarded, bred, or retained for compensation; or a LOT or PREMISES on which dogs and/or cats are raised and offered for sale, adoption, or exchange, with or without compensation.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Champaign County lets a veterinary hospital open by right in the unincorporated county only if it is fully enclosed with no outdoor runs. Any clinic that wants outdoor exercise yards or boarding beyond incidental care needs a County Board Special Use Permit under Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2, Table Note 12.
Champaign County Veterinary Hospital Zoning
Some RestrictionsChampaign County Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2, Table Note 12
A VETERINARY HOSPITAL is permitted by right only if it meets all of the following requirements; otherwise it shall be permitted only with a SPECIAL USE Permit: A. The VETERINARY HOSPITAL must be entirely enclosed and have no outdoor exercise areas or animal runs. B. The VETERINARY HOSPITAL must not permit animals to be kept either temporarily or permanently outside the HOSPITAL BUILDINGS. C. No...
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