Section 1 of 5 in this document

Accessory Use Permit Application

CURRENTLY, THIS APPLICATION MAY BE USED TO APPLY FOR PERMITS RELATED TO: Chicken-Keeping

APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND PROCESSING

Please allow up to 5 business days for processing and response to your submission.
Once the submission has been reviewed, we will be in contact with you regarding the status of your permit and how to proceed with payment and issuance.
If you have not heard from us after 5 business days, please contact our front office staff at 309-434-2226 ext. 5.

Last Update: March 25, 2026

Please add the following to the "Safe Senders" list in your email program:

planning@cityblm.org
comdev@cityblm.org

Related City Code Requirements:

§ 44-908C. Accessory uses.

In addition to those uses permitted in a zoning district, the following accessory uses are permitted subject to the provisions of this subsection and any additional requirements of Article X.

Beekeeping.
Chicken keeping.
Columbariums, when accessory to a place of worship, cemetery, mortuary.
Home occupations.
Roadside stands.
Mobile food and beverage vendors.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), by special use, subject to the provisions of § 44-908E.

Use Provisions: § 44-1011 Chicken-keeping.

A. On lots less than or equal to one acre with a primary use of a single-family or two-family dwelling, or primary use of 1) preschools, 2) private and public schools, and 3) boarding schools, the keeping of up to four (4) chickens may be permitted as an accessory use and shall comply with Chapter 8 and Chapter 22 of the Bloomington Code, 1960, as amended.

B. On lots greater than one acre with a primary use of a single-family or two-family dwelling, or primary use of 1) preschools, 2) private and public schools, and 3) boarding schools, the keeping of up to four chickens plus one additional chicken per half acre in excess of one acre may be permitted as an accessory use and shall comply with Chapter 8 and Chapter 22 of the Bloomington Code, 1960, as amended.

C. Neither the keeping of roosters nor the keeping of chickens for slaughter shall be permitted.

D. Chickens shall be provided with a covered enclosure and must be kept in the covered enclosure or a fenced enclosure at all times. This does not include a standard privacy fence which encloses the yard area along the property line.

E. Enclosures are not permitted in any front or side yard and shall be set back a minimum distance of 10 feet from all property lines.

F. All feed and other items associated with the keeping of chickens that are likely to attract or to become affected by pests shall be protected and stored.

G. All chicken-keeping uses shall be permitted in accordance with the general permitting requirements, as found in § 44-1716.

Process Notes

The cost of the initial permit is $125.00.
With your intital permit you will be issued a license and first year registration, for a cost of $25.00
Before January 1 of each calendar year, all existing accessory use permits shall require registration to remain valid. The cost of annual renewal is $25.00.
Following approval of your permit and construction of your coop and enclosure, you will be required to schedule an in-person or virtual inspection of the completed improvements.
Accessory use permits are not transferable. All accessory uses must be re-permitted with a change of property ownership.

If you are ready to proceed with your application, click "Next" --->

Section 2 of 5 in this document

Basic Project Information & Request

Applicant Information

Phone Number *

Email *

Property & Request Information

I am applying for an Accessory Use Permit for:

Chicken-Keeping

Property Address

Address or Location

I am the:

Is this property subject to any Home Owners' Association, Restrictive Covenants, or other deed restrictions?

City approval of a zoning request, including an Accessory Use Permit does not override applicable deed restrictions in most cases.

We strongly recommend you speak with the Planning Division and/or your Homeowner's Association before continuing your application.

Property Owner Information

Name of Property Owner

I certify that I have the Property Owner's permission to apply for this permit.

Yes

Upload Property Owner Permission (Email, Letter, etc.)

Section 3 of 5 in this document

Project Details

We plan to have the following number of hens:

Describe the proposed construction of the coop or attach an example image at the end of this section if you are purchasing a pre-made coop.

Upload Photo(s) of area(s) where work is to be completed (where the enclosure and coop will be).

A site plan showing the work to be completed must include all of the following, or it will be returned to you as insuffient:

Property lines
Existing and proposed structures
Distances between structures and property lines
Existing or proposed fencing

Upload site plan.

My plan for storing feed and other items associated items that are likely to attract or to become affected by pests is:

Upload Additional Documents

Section 4 of 5 in this document

Comments & Review

Process Notes Reminder:

The cost of the initial permit is $125.00.
With your intital permit you will be issued a license and first year registration, for a cost of $25.00
Before January 1 of each calendar year, all existing accessory use permits shall require registration to remain valid. The cost of annual renewal is $25.00.
Following approval of your permit and construction of your coop and enclosure, you will be required to schedule an in-person or virtual inspection of the completed improvements.
Accessory use permits are not transferable. All accessory uses must be re-permitted with a change of property ownership.

Please provide any additional comments, concerns, or questions you may have about this application, permitting, or annual registration.

CERTIFICATION BY THE APPLICANT: By signing your name below, you certify that all the information contained in this application form, any attachments, documents, or plans submitted are true to the best of your knowledge and belief; and that you have approval from the owner of the property to proceed with this request. - I understand this application must be completed in its entirety and failure to do so will result in delay of review and application intake. - I understand additional information may be required to complete review of the application. The City reserves the right to request additional information to fully evaluate the request.

Yes, I understand and agree to the above statements.

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