Animal Ordinances in Madison County, IL (2026)
10 rules for unincorporated Madison County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Madison County limits backyard poultry to hens only, roosters are banned, and County Code § 93.100(B) requires a rear-yard coop and run set back 20 feet from property lines. Keeping goats under § 93.100(C) needs a special use permit capped at two does or wethers per lot.
Madison County Chicken and Goat Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadison County Code § 93.100(B), (C)
(1) For the purposes of this section, the term CHICKEN includes only hens. Roosters are prohibited. ... (4) A chicken coop and chicken run shall be required on all properties where chickens are kept. (5) The chicken coop shall accommodate all chickens permitted on the property, must be located in the rear yard, and must be a minimum distance of 20 feet from the nearest property line. (6) All ch...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Madison County it is a public nuisance under Code § 50.205(A) for an owner to let a dog run at large, meaning off its own property and not under leash or another recognized control method. Owners inside Alton, Edwardsville, Collinsville and other cities follow that city's own leash law instead.
Madison County IL Dog At-Large Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 50.205(A)
(A) It shall be a public nuisance for any owner of a dog to permit said dog to run at large in any unincorporated area of the county. A dog is deemed to be running at large if it is on any public way or public place, or upon the private premises of any person other than those of the keeper of the dog, unless the dog is under control by leash or other recognized control methods,
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Madison County does not ban dogs by breed. Under Code § 50.081, the County Health Administrator declares a dog dangerous case by case, following state procedures. Once declared, the owner pays a $50 fine into the Pet Population Control Fund and must have the dog spayed or neutered and microchipped within 14 days, at the owner's own expense.
Madison County IL Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadison County Code § 50.081
(A) The Administrator shall follow all statutory procedures set forth in 510 ILCS 5/15.1 in determining whether to declare a dog to be a dangerous dog. ... (C) (1) If deemed dangerous, the Administrator shall order: (a) The dog’s owner to pay a $50 public safety fine to be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund; and (b) The dog to be spayed or neutered within 14 days at the ow...
Beekeeping
Keeping honeybees in a residential district in unincorporated Madison County requires a special use permit under County Code § 93.100(A), which caps a permit at three colonies, bars hives from the front yard, and demands a 20-foot setback plus a six-foot flyway barrier.
Madison County Beekeeping Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadison County Code § 93.100(A)
(1) In Residential Zoning Districts, the keeping of bees is prohibited without a special use permit and unless compliance with all of the conditions required by this section are maintained. A permit shall allow a maximum of three colonies of domestic honeybees. ... (3) Colonies shall not be located in the front yard setback area. (4) Colonies shall be at least 20 feet from side and rear propert...
Cat Rules
In unincorporated Madison County it is a public nuisance under Code § 50.205(C) for an owner to let a cat six months or older run at large, though the rule drops away once the cat is spayed or neutered. Feral colonies get a separate track: § 50.302 lets registered caregivers keep, feed and ear-tip community cats without a county license.
Madison County IL Cat At-Large & Colony Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code §§ 50.205(C), 50.302
(C) It shall be a public nuisance for any owner of a cat six months of age or older to permit said cat to run at large in any unincorporated area of the county. A cat is deemed to be running at large if it is on any public way or public place, or upon the private premises of any person other than the keeper of the cat, unless the cat is under control by leash or other recognized control metho...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Madison County does not require pet owners generally to spay or neuter their animals, but Code § 50.045 bars the Animal Care and Control Department from releasing any unclaimed dog or cat unless it has already been sterilized and microchipped. The same section limits shelter transfers to state-licensed rescue groups.
Madison County IL Shelter Spay/Neuter Release Rule
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 50.045
(A) The Madison County Animal Care and Control Department shall release any dog or cat when not redeemed by the owner unless the animal has been rendered incapable of reproduction and microchipped. (B) No animal shelter shall release dogs or cats to an individual representing a rescue group unless the group has been licensed by the State Department of Agriculture or is a representative of a...
Microchipping
Madison County does not require microchips for pets generally, but Code § 50.084 makes it mandatory for any dog or animal already declared dangerous or vicious. The chip must be Administrator-approved, registered with the county, and implanted within 30 days of the declaration, or the owner is in violation.
Madison County IL Dangerous Dog Microchip Rule
Some RestrictionsMadison County Code § 50.084
(A) Any dog, or other animal that has been declared dangerous or vicious by the Administrator shall have a microchip approved by the Administrator implanted. The microchip number shall be registered with the Administrator. The microchip shall be implanted within 30 days of the animal’s designation as dangerous or vicious. (B) It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or other animal dec...
Pet Groomer Rules
In unincorporated Madison County, kennels, pet grooming and pet training operations are a special use in the Agricultural District under Zoning Code § 93.023(D)(17), not a use allowed by right. Operators need County Board approval following a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing before opening.
Madison County Kennel & Pet Grooming Permits
Significant RestrictionsMadison County Code § 93.023(D)(17)
(D) A Special uses. (See §§ 93.162, 93.178) ... (17) Kennels, pet grooming, and pet training.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Unincorporated Madison County will not let a veterinary clinic or hospital operate as a home occupation. Section 93.083(D)(8) lists 'veterinary clinics or hospitals' among the uses specifically prohibited from home-based operation, alongside general clinics and hospitals banned in the same subsection, so a vet practice needs a properly zoned commercial site instead.
Madison County Bars Home Veterinary Clinics
Significant RestrictionsMadison County Code § 93.083(D)(3), (D)(8)
(D) Prohibited uses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter, the following uses are specifically prohibited as home occupations: ... (3) Clinics or hospitals: ... (8) Veterinary clinics or hospitals:
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Madison County does not issue its own wildlife-rescue permits. Code § 50.048 instead regulates nuisance wildlife control operators trapping wild animals in unincorporated areas: they must notify the county pound within 24 hours, follow state humane-care law, and may pick up only wild animals, never stray cats or dogs.
Madison County IL Nuisance Wildlife Operator Rules
Significant RestrictionsMadison County Code § 50.048
(A) In order to prevent the destruction of lost pets and to provide owners with a central facility through which to locate stray pets, the public pound shall be notified within 24 hours by any private agency, organization, nuisance wildlife control operator or individual picking up or confining a stray animal. ... (E) Nuisance wildlife control operators may only pick-up wild animals and are...
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