Peoria, IL Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Development Code § 5.3.2.G.2, Urban Farm
- Approval needed
- Special use (residential) or DRB review (non-residential)
- Special use fee
- Waived for urban farm applications
- Heavy equipment/delivery hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only
- Fence height
- 4 feet maximum
- Livestock
- Keeping animals is prohibited
Summary
Peoria's Unified Development Code treats an 'Urban Farm' as a distinct land use requiring zoning approval, via the special use process in residential districts and Development Review Board review in non-residential districts, under Section 5.3.2.G.2. No special-use fee applies to an urban farm application, but operators must follow standards for equipment hours, fencing, deliveries and lighting.
2. Urban Farm: The purposes of the Urban Farm regulations are to support the local economy and increase access to fresh local produce...a.Urban Farms require zoning approval through the special use process in a residential zoning district and through the Development Review Board in non-residential districts where the use is permitted, per Section 5.2. No fee is required for a special use for an urban farm. The following standards apply:i.In residential districts, mechanized equipment, similar in scale to that designed for household use, shall be permitted. Use of larger mechanized farm equipment is generally prohibited; provided, however, that during the initial preparation of the land heavy equipment may be used to prepare the land between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.vii.Fences: Fences shall not exceed 4' in height and may be placed on the property line. Chain link is permitted but wire fences are prohibited. If the Urban Farm use is abandoned, the fence must be removed.x.Keeping of animals is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 119).
Full Breakdown
2. The code waives the special use application fee specifically for urban farms. , during the farm's initial setup. Structures supporting the operation, including hoop houses, greenhouses, farm stands, shipping containers used for storage or growing, and sheds, must meet the location, size and height standards of the underlying zoning district. window and to single rear-axle trucks or smaller vehicles normally used to serve residential neighborhoods. Fencing is capped at 4 feet and may sit on the property line; chain-link is allowed but wire fencing is prohibited, and any fence must come down if the urban farm use is abandoned. Keeping animals or livestock on an urban farm site is flatly prohibited.
Violations & Fines
Operating an urban farm without the required special use or Development Review Board approval, or outside the standards of Section 5.3.2.G.2, is a Development Code violation under Section 2.15: a $300 to $750 fine that increases with repeat offenses, with each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense, and the city may seek injunctive relief against an unapproved or noncompliant urban farm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to start an urban farm in Peoria?
How is an urban farm different from a community garden under Peoria's zoning code?
Can I keep chickens or other livestock on an urban farm in Peoria?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria
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