Animal Ordinances in Cook County, IL (2026)

Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 8.7.7

B.Livestock. The keeping of livestock shall be limited to a minimum lot area of five acres; livestock shall be kept in an adequate enclosure suitable for the confinement of such animals. For the purposes of this section, fowls shall not be considered livestock. ... D.Fowl. Fowls shall be kept in an adequate enclosure suitable for the confinement of such animals.

Cook County Code § 10-8(p)

No person shall permit at any time their animal to: (1) Run uncontrolled; (2) Be off leash, except in accordance with applicable law or regulation(s); (3) Molest persons or vehicles by chasing, barking or biting; (4) Attack other animals; (5) Damage property other than the owner's.

Cook County Code § 10-78(g)(5)

(a)A dog may be declared vicious if the Court determines that without justification, the dog attacks a person or companion animal causing serious physical injury or death, or any individual dog that has been found to be a "dangerous dog" upon three separate occasions. ... (5)Vicious dogs shall not be classified in a manner that is specific as to breed.

Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 8.7.7(E)

E. Beekeeping. Bee colonies may be kept on residential and commercial zoning lots, provided they comply with the following regulations: 1. Colonies must be registered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. 2. An adequate water source shall be provided between March and November. 3. Apiaries shall be located in the rear of a zoning lot. 4. Apiaries shall be setback no less than ten feet fr...

Cook County Code § 10-8(o)

(o)No person shall keep or permit to be kept or display for exhibition purposes any wild animal contrary to Federal, State and local laws or regulations.

Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 8.7.7(A)

Pets may be kept on any lot of residential use, provided that no more than three adult pets shall be kept at any one residential unit and when kept outdoors, pets shall be housed in an adequate enclosure suitable for the confinement of such animals.

Cook County Code § 10-97

(a)[Permitted.] Feral Cat Colonies shall be permitted and Feral Cat Colony Caretakers shall be entitled to maintain and care for Feral Cats by providing food, water, shelter and other forms of sustenance, provided that the Feral Cat Colonies are registered with a Department-approved Sponsor, as defined in Subsection 10-97(b), and that the Feral Cat Colony Caretaker takes all appropriate and ava...

Cook County Code § 10-82

If deemed dangerous, the Administrator, or designee, shall order the dog be spayed or neutered within ten days at the owner's expense and microchipped, if not already, and one or more of the following as deemed appropriate under the circumstances and necessary for the protection of the public...

Cook County Code § 10-85

A clinic for microchipping companion animals of County residents should be conducted at least once a year under the direction of the Administrator at the animal control facility, animal shelter, or other central location within the County. The maximum amount that can be charged for microchipping an animal at this clinic shall be as set out in Section 32-1. Funds generated from this clinic shall...

Cook County Code § 10-13

A pet shop operator may offer for sale only those dogs, cats or rabbits obtained from: (1) An animal control center...; or (2) A humane society or rescue organization; (3) Animal obtained from breeders. No pet shop operator may offer for sale any dog, cat or rabbit obtained from a breeder unless...the breeder owns or possesses no more than five female dogs, cats or rabbits capable of reproducti...

Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 8.7.7(G)

G.Exemptions. This section shall not apply to farms, veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, kennels, zoos, or animal shelters.

Cook County Code § 2-6(f)-(g)

(f)New construction and major renovation projects shall incorporate bird-safe building materials and design features, including, but not limited to, those recommended by the City of Chicago's "Bird-Safe Building Design Guide for New Construction and Renovation," the City of Toronto's "Bird-Friendly Development Guidelines," and New York City Audubon's "Bird-Safe Building Guidelines."(g)The Count...