Can I keep chickens in Bloomington, IL?
Yes — Bloomington allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Ch. 44, Art. X (Use Provisions, Zoning Code); eCode360 44-915726, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Rear yard only; covered enclosure required; chickens confined at all times; 10 ft setback from all property lines; feed stored to prevent pest attraction; no slaughter |
| Code section | Ch. 44, Art. X (Use Provisions, Zoning Code); eCode360 44-915726 |
Bloomington allows up to 4 hens as an accessory use on single-family or two-family lots. Lots over 1 acre may keep additional hens (1 per half-acre over 1 acre). Roosters and slaughter are not permitted, a permit is required, and coops must be in the rear yard with a 10 ft setback from property lines.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Bloomington?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Bloomington (Ch. 44, Art. X (Use Provisions, Zoning Code); eCode360 44-915726).
How many chickens can I keep in Bloomington?
Up to 4 hens. Up to 4 hens on lots of 1 acre or less; plus 1 additional hen per half-acre (21,780 sq ft) over 1 acre. No explicit cap. Rear yard, permit required, 10 ft setback from property lines..
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Bloomington?
Yes — Bloomington requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Bloomington?
No — roosters are prohibited in Bloomington.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Bloomington?
10 feet minimum. Rear yard only; covered enclosure required; chickens confined at all times; 10 ft setback from all property lines; feed stored to prevent pest attraction; no slaughter
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Bloomington?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Bloomington's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Bloomington?
Ch. 44, Art. X (Use Provisions, Zoning Code); eCode360 44-915726. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Ch. 44, Art. X (Use Provisions, Zoning Code); eCode360 44-915726 — read the official code
“The Citys Ordinances pertaining to Chicken Keeping can be found here: https://ecode360.com/34415726” source
“Enclosures shall be setback a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines. Enclosures shall not be permitted in any front or side yard.” 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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