Illinois Agricultural Zoning Protection Law: Statewide Right to Farm Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Conservation Act: 505 ILCS 5
County Zoning Limit: 55 ILCS 5/5-12001
Minimum Acreage: 5 acres
LMFA: 510 ILCS 77

Full Breakdown

The Agricultural Areas Conservation and Protection Act (505 ILCS 5) lets owners of 350 or more contiguous acres petition counties to designate Agricultural Areas, restricting state and local actions that interfere with farming for ten-year renewable terms. The Counties Code (55 ILCS 5/5-12001) bars county zoning from regulating agricultural uses on farms larger than five acres outside municipal limits, except for limited livestock setbacks. Municipalities retain broader zoning authority within city limits under 65 ILCS 5/11-13. The Livestock Management Facilities Act (510 ILCS 77) governs siting of large animal feeding operations.

Violations & Penalties

Violations of agricultural area protections or improper zoning may be challenged by injunction in circuit court; LMFA siting violations carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Illinois counties zone farms outside city limits?

Generally no. Section 5-12001 of the Counties Code prohibits county zoning of agricultural uses on tracts larger than five acres outside municipal boundaries, with narrow exceptions for livestock setbacks.

What is an Illinois Agricultural Area?

An Agricultural Area is a designation under 505 ILCS 5 covering 350 or more contiguous acres that protects participating farms from state and local actions that would unreasonably restrict farming for ten years.

Illinois Agricultural Areas Conservation and County Zoning