6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Will County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Will County may allow backyard chickens with limits. Roosters typically banned in residential areas. Livestock requires agricultural zoning or minimum lot size.
Will County enforces animal control through the Will County Animal Control division per the Illinois Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5). Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated against rabies, and contained on the owner's property. Dogs running at large may be impounded. Contact Will County Animal Control for complaints.
Will County does not have breed-specific legislation banning particular dog breeds in unincorporated areas. Illinois has no statewide breed ban preemption, but Will County has not enacted county-level breed restrictions. All dogs must comply with licensing and vaccination requirements under 510 ILCS 5.
Will County amended its zoning ordinance in 2018 (Ordinance 18-192) to address beekeeping as an accessory use. In R-2A, R-3, and R-4 districts, beekeeping may be approved as a special use on lots of at least 12,500 sq ft. A 25-foot setback from adjacent dwellings is required for structures housing bees. Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act (510 ILCS 20) requires state registration.
Will County's exotic and wild animal ordinance (§155-9.25) requires special use permits for keeping exotic animals in unincorporated areas. Minimum acreage requirements apply: 2 acres for small indigenous animals, 5 acres for larger animals, and 10 acres for all other exotic uses. Wildlife hybrids (wolf dogs, coy dogs) are prohibited except in approved facilities.
Illinois Wildlife Code 520 ILCS 5/2.37 prohibits feeding of white-tailed deer statewide. Will County municipalities additionally restrict feeding of waterfowl and prohibit conditions attracting coyotes. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie area sees heightened enforcement.
3 cities in Will County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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