Are Chickens Allowed in Naperville, Illinois?
Yes — in Naperville, backyard chickens (or other fowl/livestock) are allowed under certain rules. You’ll need to follow Naperville’s ordinance for fowl & livestock, get the proper permits, meet enclosure and setback requirements, and obey limits (e.g. roosters are not permitted). Below is a full breakdown of what the law says now, what you need to check, and what to consider before keeping chickens.
What the Naperville Ordinance Says
Animal Control: Fowl & Livestock Rules
- Naperville city code (section 10-4-6: Fowl and Livestock) requires that if you want to construct, add onto, or modify a pen, coop, building or enclosure for housing fowl or livestock, you must first obtain a permit.
- There is a limit on how many chickens/fowl you can keep: up to 8 fowl per property.
- Roosters (crowing fowl) are not allowed. Only hens or non-crowing fowl are permitted.
- Enclosures must follow setback rules — for example, a coop or pen must be at least 25 feet (sometimes 30 feet depending on interpretation) from any neighboring occupied residence other than your own.
- Any pen, coop, building or enclosure used for housing fowl or livestock must be large and strong enough to contain the animals on the owner’s property — no roaming beyond.
- Sanitation and waste/rodent control rules apply: feed must be stored properly to avoid attracting pests; enclosures and pens must be kept clean; refuse and manure must be handled in a way to prevent health or nuisance issues.
Permit & Zoning Requirements
- You need a permit if you are building or modifying any coop/enclosure for fowl or livestock. The permit is handled through the city’s Transportation, Engineering & Development (TED) department.
- Even though fowl are allowed in many residential zones, zoning ordinances may have additional restrictions. Some zones may have prohibitions, or extra setback or structure requirements.
Practical Summary: What You Must Do If You Want Chickens in Naperville
- Confirm your property is in a zone that allows fowl under Naperville’s ordinance. If not, you may need additional approvals or it may be prohibited.
- Plan your coop/pen: make sure it meets size requirements, is strong/secure, and keeps animals contained entirely on your property.
- Ensure the coop is placed with sufficient setbacks — at least 25–30 feet from neighboring occupied residences.
- Get the permit before constructing or modifying any enclosures. This is mandatory under section 10-4-6.
- Keep the coop/enclosure clean; store feed in rodent-proof containers; control odors, waste, and pests. Follow sanitation rules.
- Don’t use roosters — they are prohibited. Only hens/non-crowing fowl are permitted.
Things That Are Not Allowed / Common Restrictions
- No roosters.
- Certain zoning districts may have additional restrictions or even prohibitions.
- No coop too close to neighbor homes — must meet required setbacks.
- Pen, coop, or enclosure must keep chickens entirely on the owner’s property. No roaming beyond property lines.
What You Should Double-Check / Ask the City
- Call or email Naperville Animal Control or the TED department to make sure there have been no recent changes since the last published ordinance.
- Ask what the permit fee is, what paperwork is required, and whether inspections are needed.
- Check your lot size and property layout to ensure the coop location and setbacks are practical.
- Talk to neighbors early to avoid complaints over noise, smell, or aesthetics. Even if you comply legally, keeping good relations is helpful.
Conclusion
So, in short: yes — chickens are allowed in Naperville under local law, with restrictions. You can have up to 8 non-crowing chickens (hens), but you must get a permit for any coop or enclosure construction or modification. Coops must respect setbacks from neighboring homes, be secure and kept clean, and follow sanitation and waste rules.
If you want, I can try pulling up the exact Naperville municipal code PDF for section 10-4-6 so you can see all the legal text yourself. Do you want me to do that?
