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Local laws · Illinois

Evanston chicken laws

City of Evanston allows 2 to 6 hens with an annual $50 Hen Coop License from the Health & Human Services Department, Illinois Dept. of Agriculture premises registration, and neighbor notice. Roosters are prohibited on residential lots.

Last checked 2026-10-25 against official city sources. Rules change, so confirm with the city before buying birds.

Quick facts

Chicken limit
2 to 6 hens (minimum of 2, maximum of 6)
Roosters
Roosters prohibited on residential properties (limited exception for accredited educational institutions under Ord. 22-O-23)
Permit or license
Annual Hen Coop License ($50/calendar year, non-transferable) plus building permit for the coop
Last checked
2026-10-25

This applies inside Evanston city limits. ZIP codes and mailing addresses can cross city lines, and nearby towns, villages, and counties have their own rules. HOA rules and leases can be stricter.

Before you apply

  • Register your premises with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (Fillable Premises Form) and include proof with your city application.
  • Provide Public Notice of Intent to Construct a Hen Coop to adjacent property owners and submit proof of ownership.
  • Submit a site plan drawing showing coop dimensions (length x width in sq ft) and distances to your house and property lines, and pass required Health/Building inspections.

Key rules

  • Governed by Evanston City Code Title 9, Chapter 4, Section 5 (9-4-5) and Title 6 accessory structure rules.
  • Hens must be kept in a rear-yard coop and fenced enclosure located at least 10 feet from the residence and at least 3 feet from all property lines.
  • Coops must be kept clean, sanitary, rodent-resistant, and free from objectionable odors.
  • Hen Coop Licenses expire December 31 each year and do not transfer with the land.

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Other cities we have checked

WIMadisonUp to 8 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIMilwaukeeUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIGreen BayUp to 5 hens. Roosters prohibited. WIAppletonUp to 6 chickens (hens only). Roosters not allowed (the rules define chickens as hens only). WIEau ClaireUp to 5 poultry (hens; quail included). Roosters, cocks, and drakes prohibited. WILa CrosseUp to 8 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIOshkoshUp to 6 chickens and/or ducks per residential lot. The permit covers hens; confirm rooster rules in Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code. WIKenoshaUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIColumbusUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIJanesvilleUp to 4 hens or 4 female ducks (not both). Roosters and drakes prohibited. WIWaukeshaUp to 4 chickens (6 on parcels over 1 acre). Roosters prohibited (ducks, geese, turkeys, and other fowl also prohibited). WISheboyganUp to 3 domestic animals/fowl over 5 months without a permit; Animal Fancier Permit required for more than 3. Subject to nuisance and noise provisions in Sheboygan Municipal Code Sec. 8-15. WIWauwatosaUp to 4 chickens (hens). Roosters prohibited. WIFond du LacUp to 4 hens and/or pullets. Roosters prohibited. WIWausauUp to 4 hens or pullets. Roosters prohibited. WISun PrairieUp to 4 hens (up to 15 hens at permitted schools). Roosters prohibited. WIFitchburg25 chickens per acre, prorated by lot size (0.25 animal units per acre under Sec. 22-56(14)). Subject to city noise and nuisance ordinances; check subdivision covenants. WIMiddletonUp to 6 hens on lots up to 0.5 acre; up to 8 hens on lots over 0.5 acre. Roosters and crowing hens prohibited. WIStevens PointUp to 5 chickens (or combination of up to 5 chickens, ducks, or rabbits). Roosters prohibited. WINeenahUp to 4 total chickens, doves, or other fowl per property. Roosters prohibited. WIBeaver DamNot allowed (0 chickens in city limits). Prohibited (all chickens and farm poultry prohibited). WIWatertownUp to 4 hens. Roosters prohibited. WIBeloitUp to 4 female chickens. Roosters prohibited (including capons). WIDe PereUp to 4 chickens (combined dogs, cats, and chickens cannot exceed 6 animals). Roosters prohibited. MNMinneapolisPermit fee tiers cover 1-6, 7-15, and 16-30 birds. Separate rooster permit fee ($110); neighbor consent required. MNSaint PaulUp to 15 hens (Tier One: 1-6, Tier Two: 7-15). Roosters prohibited. ILChicagoNo numeric limit in city code for egg-laying hens (must meet sanitation, noise, and space standards). Not explicitly banned by species, but crowing that disturbs neighbors violates Chicago noise and animal nuisance ordinances. MNRochesterUp to 3 hens (up to 12 hens for educational or instructional activity with letter of request). Roosters prohibited. MNDuluthUp to 5 female chickens. Roosters prohibited. IADes MoinesUp to 30 birds total (max 2 species) on parcels under 1 acre; up to 50 on 1 acre plus 50 per additional acre. Roosters require written consent from every abutting property owner or lawful occupant (Ord. 16,402). IACedar RapidsUp to 6 hens (female chickens). Roosters prohibited. IAIowa CityUp to 4 hens. Roosters prohibited. MIAnn ArborUp to 6 birds (chickens, ducks, or a combination of both). Roosters (male chickens) prohibited; drakes (male ducks) and hen ducks are permitted. MIGrand RapidsUp to 4 hens on lots 3,800–5,000 sq ft; up to 6 hens on lots over 5,000 sq ft (lots under 3,800 sq ft ineligible). Roosters expressly prohibited regardless of age. INIndianapolisUp to 12 adult poultry (chickens, ducks, quail, or pigeons) per lot. Up to 1 rooster allowed per lot, provided it is kept inside a fully enclosed structure from dusk to dawn. OHColumbusDetermined by coop and run space (laying hens need at least 1.5 sq ft inside the coop and 8 sq ft in the outside run per bird; large chickens need 2 sq ft coop / 10 sq ft run; bantams 1 sq ft coop / 4 sq ft run). Roosters prohibited (peafowl, geese, and turkeys also prohibited).