Dog license in Chicago

Updated 16 Oct 2026

Every dog four months of age or older kept in Chicago must be registered with the Office of the City Clerk under Municipal Code 07-12-140. The registration tag must be attached to the dog's collar or harness in public.

How much is a dog license in Chicago?

• $5 a year (or $15 for three years) for a sterilized (spayed or neutered) dog.
• $2.50 a year (or $7.50 for three years) for sterilized dogs owned by seniors aged 65 and older.
• $50 a year (or $150 for three years) for an unsterilized dog ($5 a year or $15 for three years for seniors).

License terms run for one or three years to match the duration of the dog's rabies vaccination. Failing to register a dog carries a fine of $30 to $200, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.

How to apply

Apply online through the City Clerk's EzBuy portal, or visit a City Clerk office location in person. You need your dog's rabies vaccination certificate number and expiration date from a licensed veterinarian. Online tags arrive by mail within 12 business days.

Each registration emblem carries a unique number. If your dog is lost, anyone who finds it can call 312-744-DOGS to help locate you.

Rabies vaccination

Cook County and Illinois law require every dog to be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines are administered by licensed veterinarians, with one-year and three-year formulations available. Proof of rabies immunization is required for city licensing, boarding facilities, and park permits.

Leash laws and Dog Friendly Areas

Under Chicago Municipal Code 7-12-030, dogs outside private property must be kept on a leash at all times. Violating the leash law carries a fine starting at $300. Owners who fail to clean up after their dogs face fines of up to $500 (Municipal Code 7-12-420).

The only places where dogs can legally exercise off-leash are the Chicago Park District's 34 Dog Friendly Areas (DFAs), including Belmont Harbor, Montrose Beach, Fred Anderson, and Mary Bartelme. To enter a DFA, your dog needs an annual Park District DFA permit and tag, which costs $10 per dog (valid January 1 through December 31). DFA permits are issued through participating veterinary clinics and require a city dog license or rabies proof, a negative parasite fecal test within 12 months, and vaccines for DHPP, Bordetella, and Leptospirosis. Using a DFA without a permit carries a fine of up to $500.

Vets and trainers in Chicago

The rabies shot and DFA permit health exams are provided by licensed vet clinics.

More: 24-hour emergency vets in Chicago · Dog training costs in Chicago