Share and Follow

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Some people in Champaign County have tried to bring the barn to their backyard — with some pushback. Now, the county is trying to limit what types of animals can call residential property home.
The proposal allows for six hens or guinea fowl, three ducks, geese, turkeys or rabbits. 12 pigeons are also fair game. But, you can’t have all of those at once.
The baseline limit is six hens or three of the previously mentioned birds. You can mix and match if you want.
The county’s Director of Planning and Zoning John Hall said this ordinance comes after a household last year had hogs and more than 40 chickens on site.
“Neighbors didn’t really like what was going on,” Hall said. “Older members visited the properties and viewed the situation for themselves and they thought, ‘Yeah, this doesn’t make sense for people in a residential zoning district to be living next to this.'”
If passed this would apply to residential lots within 1,000 feet of Champaign city limits. The ordinance will be presented at the next zoning board of appeals meeting. Hall said there will be a months long process after that before it has a chance to pass.