Hen-Keeping Ordinance Gets Unanimous Approval In Woodridge

WOODRDIGE, IL — At its Dec. 18 meeting, the Woodridge Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance that allows residents in single-family homes to keep hens on their property. The new ordinance comes after an 18-month pilot program and a positive recommendation from the village's planning commission.

The pilot program extended from April 2024 through Oct. 5, 2025. A village survey of more than 500 residents showed that more than 60 percent of residents were in favor of allowing hens to be kept on residential properties.

Also approved at the Dec. 18 meeting were fees and regulations for residents who opt to keep hens.

The following regulations were outlined in the ordinance text, per village documents.

• Residents are limited to six hens. Roosters are prohibited.
• Residents can only have one hen coop.
• Coops must have five square feet per hen and cannot exceed 50 square feet.
• Coops must be no taller than seven feet.
• Coops must be located in backyards and at least 20 feet from neighboring residences.
• Regular cleaning of coops is required.
• Food must be kept in sealed containers.
• Coops must be located at least 10 feet from property lines in the property's side and rear yards.

Before building a hen coop, residents will be required to get a building permit.

A $50 license fee will be charged to cover inspections and reviews of properties where hens are kept. Residents will not be required to pay the license fee upon applying for a hen-keeping permit. Instead, the $50 payment will be due annually by May 1 to cover license renewal.