Backyard Chickens in Aurora, Illinois

Can you keep chickens in Aurora?

Thinking about keeping hens in Aurora, Illinois? Hold off on ordering chicks just yet — as of now, the City of Aurora's ordinance bans farm animals, including chickens, on typical residential lots citywide, with chickens legally permitted only on agriculturally-zoned property. That said, change may be on the horizon: a City Council committee has been actively debating whether to lift the ban and allow limited backyard flocks. Peggy's Happy Chickens will keep tracking this issue so you know the moment the rules change.

Not straightforward

Backyard chickens are currently prohibited in most of Aurora, Illinois. According to a City of Aurora Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee discussion reported by The Beacon-News, "Currently, the city's ordinance bans people from keeping dangerous animals, bees or farm animals within city limits." Chickens fall under this farm-animal ban in residential zones. Multiple independent sources confirm that in Aurora, Illinois, residents can only keep chickens on land that is agriculturally zoned — ordinary residential lots do not qualify. Even where kept on agricultural land, roosters are not permitted within city limits, and slaughtering chickens is not allowed on residential properties. As of the most recent reporting, City Council aldermen on the Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee have been actively discussing a proposal to lift the residential ban and allow a small number of hens with permit requirements, coop rules, and a continued rooster ban, but no ordinance has been passed and enforcement of the existing ban continues.

Read the ordinance ↗

The rules at a glance

Hens in city limits: Restricted
How many hens: Not Allowed
Roosters: No
Permit required: No
Permit cost: Not specified
Setback from property line: Not specified

Peggy knows Aurora

The rules, straight from the municipal code.

Because backyard chickens are not currently permitted on standard residential lots in Aurora, IL, there are no residential coop/permit rules in effect. Chickens are only lawful on agriculturally-zoned parcels. If the city's pending proposal is eventually adopted, aldermen have indicated any new ordinance would likely: prohibit roosters, require a coop, prohibit on-site slaughtering, and require properties to be properly maintained — but these are proposed concepts only, not current law. Residents keeping chickens in violation of the current ban risk having birds impounded and being ticketed by Animal Control after a warning period.

Where this comes from

Keeping a flock happy in Aurora

🌡️ Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone 6a (Humid Continental Climate)

Aurora, Illinois sits in the Chicago metro region and experiences a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters (average January lows in the teens °F) and warm, humid summers. Backyard flocks kept elsewhere in the region typically need insulated, ventilated coops and heated waterers from roughly November through March to prevent freezing.

🦝 Who's after your hens

RaccoonHawkFoxCoyoteOpossum

Aurora Animal Control has reported noticing more coyote activity in neighborhoods with frequent backyard-chicken-related complaints, alongside typical urban/suburban predators like raccoons, hawks, foxes, and opossums. Poorly maintained coops that develop odors are more likely to attract these predators.

🐔 Breeds that do well here

Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte, Orpington, Australorp (cold-hardy dual-purpose breeds suited to Illinois winters)

Our package comes with two Rhode Island Reds – hardy in heat and cold, and friendly with kids.

Questions people ask about Aurora

▸Can I legally keep backyard chickens in Aurora, Illinois right now?

Not on a typical residential lot. The city's current ordinance bans farm animals, including chickens, within city limits, except on agriculturally zoned property. Animal Control has stated many residents don't realize chickens aren't allowed and can have birds impounded if they don't rehome them after a warning.

▸Is Aurora considering changing its chicken ordinance?

Yes. The Rules, Administration and Procedures Committee of the Aurora City Council has held multiple meetings discussing lifting the ban on backyard chickens, but as of the latest reporting no official ordinance has been drafted or passed.

▸Would roosters be allowed if Aurora changes its ordinance?

No. Aldermen discussing the proposal have consistently indicated that even if the ban on hens is lifted, roosters would still be prohibited due to noise concerns.

▸What happens if Animal Control finds chickens on a residential property now?

Officers typically give the owner about a week to rehome the chickens. If the birds are still present after a follow-up check, they can be impounded and the owner ticketed.

▸Can I keep chickens on agriculturally zoned land in Aurora?

Some secondary sources indicate chickens may be kept on land that is agriculturally zoned within Aurora, though roosters remain prohibited citywide and slaughtering chickens on residential property is not allowed. Contact the City's Zoning/Planning office to confirm whether a specific parcel qualifies.

City rules change, and this page is a summary rather than legal advice. Please confirm with Aurora or your HOA before you order – and call us on (559) 321-7271 if you'd like a hand. Last checked September 18, 2026.