Can I keep chickens in Springfield, IL?
Yes — Springfield allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited. (No specific chicken ordinance in municipal code; § 96.022 restricts livestock only in reservoir zones A-E, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop rules | Must be fenced in; free ranging is not allowed |
| Code section | No specific chicken ordinance in municipal code; § 96.022 restricts livestock only in reservoir zones A-E |
Springfield allows chickens in residential areas as long as they are fenced in. Roosters are not permitted. The animal control chapter (Ch. 91) does not address chickens; the only livestock restriction in the code (§ 96.022) applies to reservoir zone areas only, not standard residential zones. Local reporting from Illinois Times (Spring 2024) confirms chickens are allowed with fencing; no hen count limit was found in the code.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Springfield?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Springfield (No specific chicken ordinance in municipal code; § 96.022 restricts livestock only in reservoir zones A-E).
How many chickens can I keep in Springfield?
It depends on your lot. No hen count limit found in municipal code; chickens allowed when fenced per local ordinance interpretation and 2024 local reporting; roosters prohibited.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Springfield?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Springfield.
Are roosters allowed in Springfield?
No — roosters are prohibited in Springfield.
What law covers backyard chickens in Springfield?
No specific chicken ordinance in municipal code; § 96.022 restricts livestock only in reservoir zones A-E. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
No specific chicken ordinance in municipal code; § 96.022 restricts livestock only in reservoir zones A-E — read the official code
“Chickens (but not roosters) are allowed to be kept in Springfield as long as they are fenced in” source
“Chapter 91 Animal Control covers dogs, cats, and bees only — no mention of chickens or poultry in residential settings” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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