Wisconsin Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits, Limits, and Setbacks by City and County

Last Updated: June 18, 2026

Backyard chickens are generally allowed across Wisconsin — no blanket statewide prohibition or fixed flock cap exists. Under Wisconsin state law (Wis. Stat. § 95.51) and administrative rules (ch. ATCP 17, Wis. Adm. Code), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) requires mandatory premises registration for all locations where poultry are kept, including small backyard flocks. Beyond this state rule, cities and counties set flock sizes, rooster policies, local permits, and enclosure setbacks. In residential neighborhoods and city limits, rules vary widely: many urban/suburban spots limit hens to 4–8 (often 6–8, based on lot size), strictly ban roosters to curb noise complaints, and require permits/inspections in some areas, while rural and unincorporated counties tend to be far more lenient with no hen limits or permits on sufficient acreage.

Is it legal to keep chickens in city limits or residential areas in Wisconsin? Yes in most cases, though with conditions — for example, Milwaukee allows up to 4 hens (permit required); Madison allows up to 8 (permit); Green Bay allows up to 6 (permit/setbacks apply); Kenosha allows up to 6 (permit required). Always check your specific address, as HOAs or zoning can add extra hurdles like setbacks (commonly 10–50 ft from neighbors) or rear-yard-only placement. Rural areas outside city boundaries often have no hen limits and permit roosters on sufficient acreage, provided nuisance rules (odor, noise) are met. Statewide livestock premises registration (Wis. Stat. § 95.51) is required for all poultry keepers, regardless of flock size.

With Wisconsin’s cold winters, variable summers, and common predators (foxes, raccoons, hawks), secure, insulated, and predator-proof coops are essential. This detailed guide breaks down ordinances for key cities and counties, tackles frequent searches like "how many chickens can you have in city limits?", "are roosters allowed in residential areas?", "do I need a permit for a chicken coop?", and "can I have chickens in my backyard?", and directs you to official sources for the latest verification.

All content individually researched. Local rules change, so always double check with your city or county zoning, animal control, or code enforcement.

Official Source: The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) enforces mandatory premises registration pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 95.51 and ch. ATCP 17 for all locations where poultry are kept. Health certificates may be required for imported birds. Wisconsin Premises Registration (Official Government Site)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are roosters allowed in Wisconsin cities and residential zones?

Roosters are strictly prohibited in almost all major Wisconsin cities. Roosters are generally permitted in rural and agricultural zones.

Do I need a permit for backyard chickens in Wisconsin?

Yes, most municipalities require a local permit. Additionally, all flock owners in Wisconsin are legally required to register their livestock location with the DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection) premises registration.

How many chickens can I have within Milwaukee, WI city limits?

Milwaukee, WI allows up to 4 chickens. Roosters are not allowed.

How many chickens can I have within Madison, WI city limits?

Madison, WI allows up to 8 hens. Roosters are not allowed.

How many chickens can I have within Green Bay, WI city limits?

Green Bay, WI allows up to 5 hens. Roosters are not allowed.

How many chickens can I have within Kenosha, WI city limits?

Kenosha, WI allows up to 4 chickens. Roosters are not allowed.

How many chickens can I have within Racine, WI city limits?

Racine, WI allows up to 4 hens. Roosters are not allowed.

Wisconsin Ordinances by City & County

Find your city or town below for detailed rules regarding your local limits.

Adams County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Adams, Arkdale, Dellwood, Friendship, Grand Marsh, Oxford.

Adams, WI

Dellwood, Friendship, WI

Oxford, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section: § 11-2-4 | Source: villageofoxfordwi.com

Unincorporated: Arkdale, Grand Marsh, WI

Ashland County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Ashland, Butternut, Clam Lake, Glidden, High Bridge, La Pointe, Marengo, Mellen, Odanah.

Ashland, WI

Butternut, Mellen, WI

Unincorporated: Clam Lake, Glidden, High Bridge, La Pointe, Marengo, Odanah, WI

Barron County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Almena, Barron, Barronett, Brill, Cameron, Chetek, Comstock, Cumberland, Dallas, Haugen, Mikana, Prairie Farm, Rice Lake, Turtle Lake.

Cumberland, WI

Barron, Chetek, Rice Lake, WI

Unincorporated: Almena, Barronett, Brill, Cameron, Comstock, Dallas, Haugen, Mikana, Prairie Farm, Turtle Lake, WI

Bayfield County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Bayfield, Benoit, Cable, Cornucopia, Drummond, Grand View, Herbster, Iron River, Mason, Port Wing, Washburn.

Washburn, WI

Bayfield, WI

Unincorporated: Benoit, Cable, Cornucopia, Drummond, Grand View, Herbster, Iron River, Mason, Port Wing, WI

Brown County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: De Pere, Denmark, Green Bay, Greenleaf, New Franken, Oneida, Pulaski, Suamico, Wrightstown.

Green Bay, WI

De Pere, WI

Suamico, WI

Wrightstown, WI

Unincorporated: Denmark, Greenleaf, New Franken, Oneida, Pulaski, WI

Buffalo County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Alma, Cochrane, Fountain City, Gilmanton, Mondovi, Nelson.

Alma, WI

Mondovi, WI

Cochrane, Fountain City, Nelson, WI

Unincorporated: Gilmanton, WI

Burnett County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Danbury, Grantsburg, Hertel, Siren, Webster.

Webster, WI

Grantsburg, WI

Siren, WI

Unincorporated: Danbury, Hertel, WI

Calumet County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Brillion, Chilton, Forest Junction, Hilbert, New Holstein, Potter, Sherwood, Stockbridge.

Chilton, WI

Brillion, New Holstein, WI

Sherwood, Hilbert, WI

Unincorporated: Forest Junction, Potter, Stockbridge, WI

Chippewa County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Bloomer, Boyd, Cadott, Chippewa Falls, Cornell, Holcombe, Jim Falls, New Auburn, Stanley.

Chippewa Falls, WI

Stanley, WI

Bloomer, Boyd, Cadott, Cornell, WI

Unincorporated: Holcombe, Jim Falls, New Auburn, WI

Clark County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Abbotsford, Chili, Colby, Curtiss, Dorchester, Granton, Greenwood, Humbird, Loyal, Neillsville, Owen, Thorp, Unity, Willard, Withee.

Neillsville, WI

Abbotsford, Colby, Loyal, Owen, Thorp, WI

Curtiss, Dorchester, Granton, Unity, Withee, WI

Greenwood, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section: § 7-1-6 | Source: greenwoodwi.com

Unincorporated: Chili, Humbird, Willard, WI

Columbia County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Arlington, Cambria, Columbus, Doylestown, Fall River, Friesland, Lodi, Pardeeville, Portage, Poynette, Rio, Wyocena.

Columbus, WI

Lodi, WI

Portage, WI

Arlington, Cambria, Fall River, Poynette, WI

Unincorporated: Doylestown, Friesland, Pardeeville, Rio, Wyocena, WI

Crawford County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Eastman, Ferryville, Gays Mills, Lynxville, Mount Sterling, Prairie Du Chien, Seneca, Soldiers Grove, Steuben, Wauzeka.

Prairie Du Chien, WI

Gays Mills, Soldiers Grove, Wauzeka, WI

Unincorporated: Eastman, Ferryville, Lynxville, Mount Sterling, Seneca, Steuben, WI

Dane County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Belleville, Black Earth, Blue Mounds, Brooklyn, Cambridge, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Dane, Deerfield, Deforest, Madison, Marshall, Mazomanie, Mcfarland, Middleton, Morrisonville, Mount Horeb, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Verona, Waunakee, Windsor.

Madison, WI

Sun Prairie, WI

Middleton, WI

Belleville, Fitchburg, Stoughton, Verona, WI

Unincorporated: Black Earth, Blue Mounds, Brooklyn, Cambridge, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Dane, Deerfield, Deforest, Marshall, Mazomanie, Mcfarland, Morrisonville, Mount Horeb, Oregon, Waunakee, Windsor, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 8 female birds total | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Zoning Permit $15 | Setback: 4ft from lines, 25ft from structures, 75ft from water | Key Restrictions: Rear/side yard only; covered structure required | Section: Ch. 10, § 10.195 | Source: danecountyplanning.com

Dodge County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Ashippun, Beaver Dam, Brownsville, Burnett, Clyman, Fox Lake, Horicon, Hustisford, Iron Ridge, Juneau, Lebanon, Lomira, Lowell, Mayville, Neosho, Randolph, Reeseville, Rubicon, Theresa, Waupun, Woodland.

Mayville, WI

Waupun, WI

Beaver Dam, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section: § 150-15 | Source: dailydodge.com

Ashippun, Brownsville, Burnett, Clyman, Fox Lake, Horicon, Hustisford, Iron Ridge, Juneau, Lomira, Lowell, Neosho, Randolph, Reeseville, Rubicon, Theresa, WI

Unincorporated: Lebanon, Woodland, WI

Door County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Baileys Harbor, Brussels, Egg Harbor, Ellison Bay, Ephraim, Fish Creek, Forestville, Maplewood, Sister Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Washington Island.

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Baileys Harbor, Brussels, Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Forestville, Sister Bay, WI

Unincorporated: Ellison Bay, Fish Creek, Maplewood, Washington Island, WI

Douglas County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Brule, Foxboro, Gordon, Hawthorne, Lake Nebagamon, Maple, Poplar, Solon Springs, South Range, Superior, Wascott.

Superior, WI

Lake Nebagamon, Poplar, Solon Springs, WI

Unincorporated: Brule, Foxboro, Gordon, Hawthorne, Maple, South Range, Wascott, WI

Dunn County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Boyceville, Colfax, Downing, Downsville, Eau Galle, Elk Mound, Knapp, Menomonie, Ridgeland, Rock Falls, Sand Creek, Wheeler.

Menomonie, WI

Colfax, WI

Boyceville, Downing, Elk Mound, Knapp, Ridgeland, Wheeler, WI

Unincorporated: Downsville, Eau Galle, Rock Falls, Sand Creek, WI

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Altoona, Augusta, Eau Claire, Eleva, Fairchild, Fall Creek.

Altoona, WI

Augusta, Fall Creek, WI

Eau Claire, WI

Unincorporated: Eleva, Fairchild, WI

Hen Limit: Limited for household egg production | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: County Poultry License required | Setback: 20ft from side/rear lines, 50ft from dwellings | Section: Ordinance No. 165-32 (Title 8) | Source: co.eau-claire.wi.us

Forest County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Argonne, Armstrong Creek, Crandon, Laona, Wabeno.

Crandon, WI

Unincorporated: Argonne, Armstrong Creek, Laona, Wabeno, WI

Grant County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Bagley, Beetown, Bloomington, Boscobel, Cassville, Cuba City, Dickeyville, Fennimore, Glen Haven, Hazel Green, Kieler, Lancaster, Livingston, Montfort, Mount Hope, Muscoda, Patch Grove, Platteville, Potosi, Sinsinawa, Stitzer, Woodman.

Boscobel, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 11.02 | Source: swnews4u.com

Fennimore, WI

Platteville, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 6 | Source: platteville.org

Unincorporated: Bagley, Beetown, Bloomington, Cassville, Cuba City, Dickeyville, Glen Haven, Hazel Green, Kieler, Lancaster, Livingston, Montfort, Mount Hope, Muscoda, Patch Grove, Potosi, Sinsinawa, Stitzer, Woodman, WI

Green County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Albany, Brodhead, Browntown, Juda, Monroe, Monticello, New Glarus.

Brodhead, WI

Monroe, WI

Monticello, WI

New Glarus, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $15.00 annual fee | Setback: 15ft from all lot lines; restricted to rear yards or non-address side yards | Key Restrictions: Only on single-family lots; signatures of consent from all abutting neighbors required | Section: Village Chicken Ordinance | Source: newglarus360.com

Unincorporated: Albany, Browntown, Juda, WI

Green Lake County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Berlin, Dalton, Green Lake, Kingston, Markesan, Marquette, Princeton.

Berlin, WI

Green Lake, WI

Markesan, WI

Princeton, WI

Unincorporated: Dalton, Kingston, Marquette, WI

Iowa County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Arena, Avoca, Barneveld, Cobb, Dodgeville, Edmund, Highland, Hollandale, Linden, Mineral Point, Rewey, Ridgeway.

Dodgeville, WI

Mineral Point, WI

Unincorporated: Arena, Avoca, Barneveld, Cobb, Edmund, Highland, Hollandale, Linden, Rewey, Ridgeway, WI

Iron County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Gile, Hurley, Iron Belt, Mercer, Montreal, Saxon, Upson.

Hurley, WI

Montreal, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 3 | Source: montrealwis.com

Unincorporated: Gile, Iron Belt, Mercer, Saxon, Upson, WI

Jackson County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Alma Center, Black River Falls, Hixton, Mather, Melrose, Merrillan, Millston, Taylor.

Black River Falls, WI

Melrose, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 7-1-13 | Source: melrosewi.gov

Merrillan, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with an annual renewal by March 31st | Setback: At least 50ft from dwellings on adjoining properties; restricted to rear yards only | Key Restrictions: Properties must be a minimum of 6,000 square feet and cannot be contiguous with a commercially zoned property | Section: Title 13, Chapter 1 | Source: merrillanwi.gov

Unincorporated: Alma Center, Hixton, Mather, Millston, Taylor, WI

Jefferson County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Fort Atkinson, Helenville, Ixonia, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, Waterloo, Watertown.

Fort Atkinson, WI

Lake Mills, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 chickens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $10.00 annual fee | Setback: At least 15ft from any neighboring property line; prohibited in front yards | Key Restrictions: Only on residential lots with a single-family residence | Section: Backyard Chicken License | Source: cityoflakemillswi.gov

Watertown, WI

Unincorporated: Helenville, Ixonia, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Palmyra, Sullivan, Waterloo, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Zoning and Land Use Permit required if enclosure exceeds 100 square feet | Setback: Minimum 15ft from any side or rear lot line; must meet all road setbacks | Key Restrictions: Allowed only as an accessory use to an existing single-family residence | Section: Sec. 11.02 | Source: jeffersoncountywi.gov

Juneau County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Camp Douglas, Elroy, Hustler, Lyndon Station, Mauston, Necedah, New Lisbon, Union Center, Wonewoc.

Elroy, WI

Mauston, WI

New Lisbon, WI

Unincorporated: Camp Douglas, Hustler, Lyndon Station, Necedah, Union Center, Wonewoc, WI

Kenosha County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Bassett, Benet Lake, Bristol, Camp Lake, Kenosha, New Munster, Pleasant Prairie, Powers Lake, Salem, Silver Lake, Somers, Trevor, Twin Lakes, Wilmot, Woodworth.

Bristol, WI

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Required with written permit from Health Administrator unless zoned Agriculture | Setback: Not specified | Key Restrictions: Only permitted in A-1 and A-2 Zoning Districts with permit | Section: § 6-5 | Source: villageofbristol.org

Kenosha, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 chickens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $200.00 new application fee ($100.00 renewal fee) | Setback: At least 25ft from all property lines | Key Restrictions: Only permitted at single-family residential properties | Section: Type 086 License | Source: kenosha.org

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Salem (Salem Lakes / Silver Lake / Trevor), WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens on lots up to 10k sq ft; 6 hens up to 15k sq ft; 10 hens up to 2 acres; 20 hens over 2 acres | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with mandatory state premises registration with DATCP | Setback: 5ft from property lines on lots under one acre, 10ft if over one acre, 75ft from any high water mark | Key Restrictions: Restricted to single-family residential properties; completely prohibited at multi-family dwellings, duplexes, and mobile homes | Section: § 186-14 | Source: ecode360.com

Twin Lakes, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § Rules & Regulations | Source: twinlakeshoa.org

Unincorporated: Bassett, Benet Lake, Camp Lake, New Munster, Powers Lake, Somers, Wilmot, Woodworth, WI

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg.

Algoma, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens in open coops; up to 6 hens in enclosed coops | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $10.00 annual fee for enclosed coops ($20.00 for open coops) | Setback: At least 25ft from all property lot lines; prohibited within front yard setbacks | Section: § 6-5 (Ordinance No. 843) | Source: cityofalgoma.org

Unincorporated: Casco, Kewaunee, Luxemburg, WI

La Crosse County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Bangor, Holmen, La Crosse, Mindoro, Onalaska, Rockland, West Salem.

Holmen, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 7-1-13 | Source: holmenwi.gov

La Crosse, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 8 chickens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $40.00 fee | Setback: At least 25ft from any residential structure on an adjacent lot | Key Restrictions: Only on property used as a single-family or two-family dwelling | Section: § 6-16 | Source: cityoflacrosse.org

Onalaska, WI

Unincorporated: Bangor, Mindoro, Rockland, West Salem, WI

Lafayette County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Argyle, Belmont, Benton, Blanchardville, Darlington, Gratiot, Shullsburg, South Wayne, Woodford.

Darlington, WI

Unincorporated: Argyle, Belmont, Benton, Blanchardville, Gratiot, Shullsburg, South Wayne, Woodford, WI

Langlade County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Antigo, Bryant, Deerbrook, Elcho, Elton, Pearson, Phlox, Pickerel, Summit Lake, White Lake.

Antigo, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with an annual fee | Setback: At least 25ft from the nearest neighbor's residence, 10ft from lot lines | Key Restrictions: Only in R-1/R-2 single-family residential districts | Section: § 10-42 | Source: cityofantigo.org

Unincorporated: Bryant, Deerbrook, Elcho, Elton, Pearson, Phlox, Pickerel, Summit Lake, White Lake, WI

Lincoln County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Gleason, Heafford Junction, Irma, Merrill, Tomahawk.

Merrill, WI

Tomahawk, WI

Unincorporated: Gleason, Heafford Junction, Irma, WI

Manitowoc County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Cleveland, Collins, Francis Creek, Kellnersville, Kiel, Manitowoc, Maribel, Mishicot, Newton, Reedsville, Saint Nazianz, Tisch Mills, Two Rivers, Valders, Whitelaw.

Kiel, WI

Manitowoc, WI

Two Rivers, WI

Unincorporated: Cleveland, Collins, Francis Creek, Kellnersville, Maribel, Mishicot, Newton, Reedsville, Saint Nazianz, Tisch Mills, Valders, Whitelaw, WI

Marathon County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Aniwa, Athens, Brokaw, Edgar, Eland, Elderon, Galloway, Hatley, Marathon, Mosinee, Ringle, Rothschild, Schofield, Spencer, Stratford, Wausau.

Mosinee, WI

Rothschild, WI

Schofield, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 4-46 | Source: cityofschofield.org

Wausau, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens or pullets | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $35.00 fee | Setback: At least 10ft from property lines, 25ft from any adjacent principal residential structure | Key Restrictions: Only in specific single-family or multi-family residential zones; property owner must reside on the premises | Section: Chapter 8.08 | Source: wausauwi.gov

Unincorporated: Aniwa, Athens, Brokaw, Edgar, Eland, Elderon, Galloway, Hatley, Marathon, Ringle, Spencer, Stratford, WI

Marinette County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Amberg, Athelstane, Coleman, Crivitz, Dunbar, Goodman, Marinette, Niagara, Pembine, Peshtigo, Porterfield, Pound, Wausaukee.

Marinette, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 9.0317 | Source: marinette.wi.us

Unincorporated: Amberg, Athelstane, Coleman, Crivitz, Dunbar, Goodman, Niagara, Pembine, Peshtigo, Porterfield, Pound, Wausaukee, WI

Marquette County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Briggsville, Endeavor, Montello, Neshkoro, Packwaukee, Westfield.

Montello, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not required | Setback: 200ft from any building used for human habitation | Key Restrictions: Only in Residential Zoning Districts; limited to 6 total household pets combined | Section: § 18-115 & § 7.1 | Source: marquettecountywi.gov

Unincorporated: Briggsville, Endeavor, Neshkoro, Packwaukee, Westfield, WI

Menominee County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Keshena, Neopit.

Unincorporated: Keshena, Neopit, WI

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Cudahy, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Saint Francis, South Milwaukee.

Cudahy, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 2 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required via the inspection department | Setback: At least 25ft from all property lines and adjacent residential structures, 10ft from the principal structure | Key Restrictions: Restricted to detached single-family residences; coops must be in the rear yard and placed on a hard surface or elevated | Section: § 4-100 to § 4-102 | Source: cityofcudahywi.gov

Franklin, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 20 fowl per acre | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit from the Building Inspector | Setback: Not specified | Key Restrictions: Only permitted in designated rural/agricultural areas with a minimum land area of 3 acres; prohibited on standard urban residential lots | Section: § 183-68C | Source: franklinwi.gov

Greendale, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 9.11 | Source: greendale.org

Hales Corners, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 6.02 | Source: halescornerswi.gov

Milwaukee, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 chickens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $35.56 one-time fee | Setback: Enclosures must be at least 25ft from any residential structure on an adjacent lot; restricted to rear yards | Key Restrictions: Allowed on residential premises only; commercial or mixed-use properties are excluded; slaughtering is prohibited | Section: § 78-6.5 | Source: city.milwaukee.gov

Oak Creek, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 10 chickens per acre | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required | Setback: Not specified | Key Restrictions: Permitted as part of agricultural use standards scaled by total acreage; prohibited on standard high-density urban residential lots | Section: § 17.0402 | Source: oakcreekwi.gov

South Milwaukee, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 7.12 | Source: smwi.org

Unincorporated: Saint Francis, WI

Monroe County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Cashton, Cataract, Kendall, Norwalk, Oakdale, Sparta, Tomah, Tunnel City, Warrens, Wilton.

Sparta, WI

Tomah, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual license with site plan approval | Setback: Minimum 25ft from any neighbor's residential structure; restricted to backyards | Key Restrictions: Limited to single-family detached residential lots; mandatory state premises registration required | Section: § 8-154 | Source: tomahwi.gov

Unincorporated: Cashton, Cataract, Kendall, Norwalk, Oakdale, Tunnel City, Warrens, Wilton, WI

Oconto County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Abrams, Gillett, Lakewood, Lena, Little Suamico, Mountain, Oconto, Oconto Falls, Sobieski, Suring, Townsend.

Oconto, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with an annual application process | Setback: Restricted to rear yards and must maintain clear setbacks from adjacent neighbor boundary lines | Section: § 7-1-13 | Source: cityofoconto.com

Oconto Falls, WI

Unincorporated: Abrams, Gillett, Lakewood, Lena, Little Suamico, Mountain, Sobieski, Suring, Townsend, WI

Oneida County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Harshaw, Hazelhurst, Lake Tomahawk, Mc Naughton, Minocqua, Pelican Lake, Rhinelander, Three Lakes, Tripoli.

Rhinelander, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit with fee | Setback: At least 20ft from any principal dwelling on adjacent property; restricted to rear yards | Key Restrictions: Prohibited in mobile home parks and on vacant lots; free-ranging is prohibited; onsite slaughtering is banned | Section: § 7-1-25 | Source: rhinelanderwi.org

Unincorporated: Harshaw, Hazelhurst, Lake Tomahawk, Mc Naughton, Minocqua, Pelican Lake, Three Lakes, Tripoli, WI

Outagamie County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Appleton, Bear Creek, Black Creek, Combined Locks, Dale, Freedom, Greenville, Hortonville, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, Nichols, Seymour, Shiocton.

Appleton, WI

Total ban on poultry within city limits | Section § 3-52 | Source: appleton.org

Kaukauna, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required from the Health Department | Setback: At least 25ft from a residential structure, church, school, or business on a neighboring lot; 3ft from side and rear lot lines | Key Restrictions: Limited to one-family and two-family dwellings | Section: § 11.12 | Source: cityofkaukauna.com

Unincorporated: Bear Creek, Black Creek, Combined Locks, Dale, Freedom, Greenville, Hortonville, Kimberly, Little Chute, Nichols, Seymour, Shiocton, WI

Ozaukee County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Belgium, Cedarburg, Fredonia, Grafton, Mequon, Port Washington, Saukville.

Cedarburg, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit from the Town/City Clerk | Setback: At least 40ft from a neighboring residential structure, 10ft from side or rear lot lines, and 75ft from the high-water mark of any lake or river | Key Restrictions: Restricted to rear yards (unless screened and granted variance due to property history); slaughtering and commercial sale of eggs are prohibited | Section: § 95-24 | Source: cityofcedarburg.wi.gov

Mequon, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 chickens per parcel | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $65.00 annual fee | Setback: Must comply with accessory enclosure configurations outlined in application | Key Restrictions: Only permitted on residential lots measuring 0.75 acres or greater | Section: Chicken Permit Regulations | Source: cityofmequonwi.gov

Unincorporated: Belgium, Fredonia, Grafton, Port Washington, Saukville, WI

Pepin County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Arkansaw, Durand, Pepin, Stockholm.

Durand, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required from the City Clerk | Setback: At least 15ft from side and rear property borders, 25ft from any adjacent residential house | Section: § 11-2-12 | Source: cityofdurand.com

Unincorporated: Arkansaw, Pepin, Stockholm, WI

Pierce County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Bay City, Beldenville, East Ellsworth, Ellsworth, Elmwood, Hager City, Maiden Rock, Plum City, Prescott, River Falls, Spring Valley.

Ellsworth, WI

Prescott, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual license from City Clerk | Setback: At least 10ft from property lot boundaries and 25ft from neighboring main structures | Section: § 142-18 | Source: prescottwi.org

River Falls, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required from City Clerk with a site plan review | Setback: Minimum 25ft from any neighbor's dwelling structure and 10ft from side/rear property boundaries | Key Restrictions: Only permitted on single-family parcels; mandatory registration with WI DATCP required | Section: § 6.08.130 | Source: rfcity.org

Unincorporated: Bay City, Beldenville, East Ellsworth, Elmwood, Hager City, Maiden Rock, Plum City, Spring Valley, WI

Polk County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Amery, Balsam Lake, Centuria, Clayton, Clear Lake, Cushing, Dresser, Frederic, Luck, Milltown, Osceola, Saint Croix Falls, Star Prairie.

Amery, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 5 poultry birds total | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $35.00 inspection fee and $10.00 annual license; requires signed approval from all abutting neighbors | Setback: At least 25ft from residential structures on adjacent lots, 6ft from the on-property house, and 8ft from property lines | Key Restrictions: Only on single-family properties; coop floor space must not exceed 64 sq ft or 8ft in height; commercial egg sales or breeding are prohibited | Section: § 171-22 to § 171-26 | Source: amerywisconsin.org

Saint Croix Falls, WI

Unincorporated: Balsam Lake, Centuria, Clayton, Clear Lake, Cushing, Dresser, Frederic, Luck, Milltown, Osceola, Star Prairie, WI

Portage County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Almond, Amherst, Amherst Junction, Bancroft, Custer, Junction City, Nelsonville, Plover, Rosholt, Stevens Point.

Plover, WI

Total ban on poultry within village limits | Section § 190-2 | Source: ploverwi.gov

Stevens Point, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens (ducks also allowed) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required special animal permit with a $10.00 fee | Setback: Must comply with standard accessory structure setbacks | Key Restrictions: Banned on properties not matching single-family or permitted multi-family residential setups | Section: Chapter 12 | Source: stevenspoint.com

Unincorporated: Almond, Amherst, Amherst Junction, Bancroft, Custer, Junction City, Nelsonville, Rosholt, WI

Price County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Brantwood, Catawba, Fifield, Kennan, Ogema, Park Falls, Phillips, Prentice.

Park Falls, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required from the City Clerk | Setback: 15ft from property borders and 25ft from any neighboring principal residential dwelling | Section: Municipal Code Animals | Source: cityofparkfalls.com

Unincorporated: Brantwood, Catawba, Fifield, Kennan, Ogema, Phillips, Prentice, WI

Racine County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Burlington, Caledonia, Franksville, Kansasville, Racine, Rochester, Sturtevant, Union Grove, Waterford.

Burlington, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 adult poultry birds | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required; application requires a signed consent agreement from 75% of owners within 300ft of the premises | Setback: No less than 5ft from property boundaries and outside a 30ft radius of any neighboring occupied structure | Key Restrictions: Restricted to fenced backyards | Section: Ordinance No. 980 (Amending Chapter 104) | Source: burlington-wi.gov

Caledonia, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 chickens on lots under 4 acres; up to 12 chickens on lots over 4 acres | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual license ($20.00 for six birds; $40.00 for twelve birds) | Setback: At least 25ft from neighboring residences, 3ft from property lines, and 5ft from the primary owner residence | Key Restrictions: Restricted to single-family backyards only; 75ft setback from waterways applies | Section: § 12.25 | Source: caledonia-wi.gov

Racine, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required with a $55.00 Health Department application plus an $80.00 Building Department permit | Setback: At least 25ft from neighboring residential structures | Key Restrictions: Limited strictly to single-family residential properties; coops must be in the rear yard | Section: § 10-6 | Source: cityofracinewi.gov

Unincorporated: Franksville, Kansasville, Rochester, Sturtevant, Union Grove, Waterford, WI

Richland County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Blue River, Cazenovia, Gotham, Lone Rock, Richland Center, Sextonville, Viola.

Richland Center, WI

Unincorporated: Blue River, Cazenovia, Gotham, Lone Rock, Sextonville, Viola, WI

Rock County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Afton, Avalon, Beloit, Clinton, Edgerton, Evansville, Footville, Hanover, Janesville, Milton, Orfordville.

Beloit, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 female chickens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual residential permit | Setback: At least 10ft from any lot line, 10ft from the rear wall of the owner residence, and 20ft from any principal structure on adjacent property | Key Restrictions: Only permitted on a residential zoning lot containing one single-family residential dwelling unit; limited to the rear yard area | Section: § 7.244 | Source: beloitwi.gov

Footville, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens per dwelling unit | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit | Setback: At least 10ft from side or rear lot lines and 20ft from the door or window of any adjacent occupied structure | Key Restrictions: Must be located in the backyard of the residence; maximum coop building size is 20 square feet; rental properties require a signed agreement from the property owner | Section: Footville Chicken Ordinance | Source: villageoffootville.com

Janesville, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit from the Building Division | Setback: At least 25ft from any adjacent residential dwelling structure | Key Restrictions: Allowed on single-family properties only | Section: Backyard Chicken Permits | Source: janesvillewi.gov

Orfordville, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens per dwelling unit | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit | Setback: At least 10ft from side or rear lot lines and 15ft from the door or window of any adjacent occupied structure | Key Restrictions: Must be located in the backyard of the residence; maximum coop building size is 20 square feet | Section: Orfordville Chicken Ordinance | Source: orfordville.org

Unincorporated: Afton, Avalon, Clinton, Edgerton, Evansville, Hanover, Milton, WI

Rusk County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Bruce, Conrath, Glen Flora, Hawkins, Ladysmith, Sheldon, Tony, Weyerhaeuser.

Ladysmith, WI

Unincorporated: Bruce, Conrath, Glen Flora, Hawkins, Sheldon, Tony, Weyerhaeuser, WI

Sauk County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Baraboo, Hillpoint, La Valle, Lake Delton, Lime Ridge, Loganville, Merrimac, North Freedom, Plain, Prairie Du Sac, Reedsburg, Rock Springs, Sauk City, Spring Green, Wisconsin Dells.

Baraboo, WI

Hen Limit: Strictly prohibited in residential zones; allowed in Agricultural Districts only | Roosters: Allowed in Agricultural Districts | Permit: No specialized backyard chicken permit exists due to residential prohibition | Key Restrictions: City code completely bans the keeping of poultry, fowl, or livestock in any residential or non-agricultural zoning district | Section: Municipal Code Chapter 11 | Source: cityofbaraboo.com

Unincorporated: Hillpoint, La Valle, Lake Delton, Lime Ridge, Loganville, Merrimac, North Freedom, Plain, Prairie Du Sac, Reedsburg, Rock Springs, Sauk City, Spring Green, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required (Statewide DATCP premises registration still applies) | Setback: Subject to standard agricultural accessory structure setbacks per local zoning maps | Section: Sauk County Code Chapter 7 | Source: co.sauk.wi.us

Sawyer County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Couderay, Edgewater, Exeland, Hayward, Ojibwa, Radisson, Stone Lake, Winter.

Hayward, WI

Hen Limit: Allowed under strict zoning-specific parameters (primarily rural-residential and agricultural zones) | Roosters: Banned in standard high-density residential zones | Permit: Required zoning or land use permit depending on plot map | Key Restrictions: Backyard chicken keeping restricted heavily within urban city limits; general standard permits 4-6 hens where allowed | Section: Hayward Zoning Ordinance | Source: cityofhaywardwi.gov

Unincorporated: Couderay, Edgewater, Exeland, Ojibwa, Radisson, Stone Lake, Winter, WI

Shawano County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Birnamwood, Bonduel, Bowler, Caroline, Cecil, Green Valley, Gresham, Krakow, Leopolis, Mattoon, Shawano, Tigerton, Tilleda, Wittenberg, Zachow.

Shawano, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit ($10 fee) | Key Restrictions: Residents must maintain a clean, predator-proof enclosure and register their flock location with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) | Section: City Chicken License Policy | Source: cityofshawano.com

Tigerton, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 12 chickens | Roosters: Restrictions apply based on proximity to neighbors | Permit: Required annual permit; requires a mandatory site inspection from village officials prior to issuance | Key Restrictions: Must maintain mandatory biosecurity rules and state DATCP premises registration | Section: Tigerton Fowl Ordinance | Source: tigertonwi.com

Unincorporated: Birnamwood, Bonduel, Bowler, Caroline, Cecil, Green Valley, Gresham, Krakow, Leopolis, Mattoon, Tilleda, Wittenberg, Zachow, WI

Hen Limit: No county-level limits | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required by the county | Key Restrictions: Shawano County completely eliminated chicken-specific rules from its farm animal ordinance. All enforcement and specific limitations have been entirely handed over to individual town or village boards | Section: Shawano Planning & Zoning Update | Source: co.shawano.wi.us

Sheboygan County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Adell, Cascade, Cedar Grove, Elkhart Lake, Glenbeulah, Greenbush, Hingham, Kohler, Oostburg, Plymouth, Random Lake, Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Waldo.

Sheboygan, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required backyard chicken license | Setback: Enclosure must satisfy standard accessory structure setbacks and must not be placed in front or side yards; cannot be placed in a manner that creates a nuisance to neighbors | Section: Chapter 18-14 | Source: sheboyganwi.gov

Plymouth, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required local permit | Key Restrictions: Coops and runs must be kept strictly within the rear yard of single-family homes; proper waste management required to prevent odors | Section: Chapter 11 | Source: plymouthwi.gov

Unincorporated: Adell, Cascade, Cedar Grove, Elkhart Lake, Glenbeulah, Greenbush, Hingham, Kohler, Oostburg, Random Lake, Sheboygan Falls, Waldo, WI

Hen Limit: Not specified by the county | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required by the county (Wisconsin DATCP premises registration still applies) | Setback: Must comply with individual town zoning boundaries and general accessory building guidelines | Section: Sheboygan County Sanitary & Zoning Regulations | Source: sheboygancounty.com

St. Croix County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Baldwin, Deer Park, Glenwood City, Hammond, Houlton, Hudson, New Richmond, Roberts, Somerset, Wilson, Woodville.

Hudson, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens on residential properties (Up to 20 allowed on designated public properties) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual license from the City Clerk ($50 initial, $20 renewal) | Setback: Coop and attached run must be a minimum of 25ft from adjacent residential structures, decks, or patios on abutting properties, and at least 10ft from the licensee’s property line | Key Restrictions: Limited to owner-occupied or tenant-occupied single-family residential zoning lots (no vacant lots); coops must be located in the rear yard, cannot exceed 50 sq ft in floor area or 8ft in height, and must feature a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent floor surface (wood or dirt floors are banned); on-site egg sales and home slaughter are strictly prohibited | Section: Code Section 99-21 | Source: hudsonwi.gov

Unincorporated: Baldwin, Deer Park, Glenwood City, Hammond, Houlton, New Richmond, Roberts, Somerset, Wilson, Woodville, WI

Hen Limit: Not specified at the county level | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required at the county level | Key Restrictions: Multi-acre rural lots generally default to standard agricultural freedom. However, individual towns (such as the Town of Hudson, which allows up to 12 hens with a 50ft setback) maintain distinct town-level restrictions that override county silence | Section: St. Croix County Land Use & Development | Source: sccwi.gov

Taylor County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Gilman, Hannibal, Jump River, Lublin, Medford, Rib Lake, Stetsonville, Westboro.

Medford, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 chickens (Newborn chicks up to 3 weeks old may be kept indoors or in an outbuilding in addition to the 4 adult birds) | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit ($15 fee) via the City Clerk; notification of all abutting property owners is mandatory | Key Restrictions: Only allowed on lots zoned R-1 Single Family or R-2 One- and Two-Family Districts; rental tenants must attach a signed landlord approval form to the application; chickens are completely prohibited in mobile home parks, vacant lots, and R-3 Multi-Family residential zones; egg sales and on-site slaughter are banned; coop structural floors must provide at least 4 sq ft per chicken and cannot exceed 6ft in height | Section: Medford Chicken Permit Code | Source: medfordwi.gov

Unincorporated: Gilman, Hannibal, Jump River, Lublin, Rib Lake, Stetsonville, Westboro, WI

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Arcadia, Blair, Dodge, Ettrick, Galesville, Independence, Osseo, Pigeon Falls, Strum, Trempealeau, Whitehall.

Arcadia, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit from the City Clerk | Setback: At least 15ft from any property line and 25ft from neighboring residential homes; restricted to rear yards | Key Restrictions: Only permitted on single-family or two-family residential properties | Section: § 138-11 | Source: cityofarcadiawi.com

Galesville, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit | Setback: Minimum 10ft from property borders and 25ft from any adjacent principal residential structure | Section: Village Animal Code | Source: galesvillewi.gov

Unincorporated: Blair, Dodge, Ettrick, Independence, Osseo, Pigeon Falls, Strum, Trempealeau, Whitehall, WI

Vernon County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Chaseburg, Coon Valley, De Soto, Genoa, Hillsboro, La Farge, Ontario, Readstown, Stoddard, Viroqua, Westby.

Viroqua, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit with fee | Setback: Minimum 15ft from side or rear lot lines and 25ft from adjacent dwellings; restricted to backyards | Key Restrictions: Limited strictly to single-family owner-occupied properties | Section: § 6.04.095 | Source: viroqua-wi.com

Westby, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual license from City Clerk | Setback: At least 15ft from property lines and 25ft from any neighboring principal residential dwelling | Section: Chapter 7 | Source: cityofwestby.org

Unincorporated: Chaseburg, Coon Valley, De Soto, Genoa, Hillsboro, La Farge, Ontario, Readstown, Stoddard, WI

Vilas County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Boulder Junction, Conover, Eagle River, Lac Du Flambeau, Land O Lakes, Manitowish Waters, Phelps, Presque Isle, Saint Germain, Sayner, Star Lake, Woodruff.

Eagle River, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit from the City Clerk | Setback: Minimum 15ft from property boundaries and 25ft from adjacent residential dwellings | Section: Municipal Code Chapter 12 | Source: eagleriverwi.gov

Unincorporated: Boulder Junction, Conover, Lac Du Flambeau, Land O Lakes, Manitowish Waters, Phelps, Presque Isle, Saint Germain, Sayner, Star Lake, Woodruff, WI

Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required by the county (Local town boards may enforce individual zoning overlays) | Setback: Subject only to general rural accessory building lines | Section: Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance Article XI | Source: vilascountywi.gov

Walworth County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Darien, Delavan, East Troy, Elkhorn, Fontana, Genoa City, Honey Creek, Lake Geneva, Lyons, Pell Lake, Sharon, Springfield, Walworth, Whitewater, Williams Bay, Zenda.

Whitewater, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required backyard chicken license | Setback: Coops or runs must be at least 25ft away from the doors or windows of any neighboring dwelling, and a minimum of 5ft from any rear or side-yard property lines | Section: Municipal Code | Source: whitewater-wi.gov

Unincorporated: Darien, Delavan, East Troy, Elkhorn, Fontana, Genoa City, Honey Creek, Lake Geneva, Lyons, Pell Lake, Sharon, Springfield, Walworth, Williams Bay, Zenda, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 6 hens allowed in standard residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-5, R-5A, C-3) | Roosters: Not allowed in residential districts | Permit: Subject to county zoning registration and town-level restrictions; local town boards or HOAs reserve the right to enforce more stringent rules | Setback: Enclosure cannot exceed 100 sq ft, must be fully mobile, must sit at least 10ft from side or rear lot boundaries, and at least 20ft from any residential building on an adjacent parcel | Section: Walworth County Zoning Ordinance | Source: co.walworth.wi.us

Washburn County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Birchwood, Minong, Sarona, Shell Lake, Spooner, Springbrook, Trego.

Spooner, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual backyard poultry permit from the City Clerk | Key Restrictions: Birds must be confined within an enclosed coop or attached outdoor run at all times; roaming freely outside the containment structure is prohibited; standard sanitation rules apply to prevent neighborhood nuisances | Section: Chapter 14 Animals | Source: cityofspooner.org

Unincorporated: Birchwood, Minong, Sarona, Shell Lake, Springbrook, Trego, WI

Hen Limit: Not specified at the county level | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required by the county (Wisconsin DATCP registration applies statewide) | Setback: Must comply with standard agricultural and accessory structural setbacks per individual township zoning definitions | Section: Washburn County Zoning Ordinance | Source: co.washburn.wi.us

Washington County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Allenton, Colgate, Germantown, Hartford, Hubertus, Jackson, Kewaskum, Newburg, Richfield, Slinger, West Bend.

West Bend, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required local chicken license issued by the Finance Department | Key Restrictions: Adherence to structural requirements for backyard coops is mandatory; layout plans must fit entirely within residential backyard limits; commercial sales of eggs and on-site processing are banned | Section: Ordinance 2823 | Source: westbendwi.gov

Hartford, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit with fee ($25 initial); requires written notification or signed consent from abutting neighbors | Setback: Minimum 25ft from any neighboring principal structure and 10ft from all property boundaries | Section: Chapter 11 Animals | Source: ci.hartford.wi.us

Unincorporated: Allenton, Colgate, Germantown, Hubertus, Jackson, Kewaskum, Newburg, Richfield, Slinger, WI

Hen Limit: No county-level limits on rural land | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required by the county | Key Restrictions: Unincorporated boundaries fall under the joint authority of Washington County Planning and individual town boards, which can dictate stricter residential parcel exclusions | Section: Washington County Code Chapter 275 | Source: washcowisco.gov

Waukesha County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Big Bend, Brookfield, Butler, Delafield, Dousman, Eagle, Elm Grove, Genesee Depot, Hartland, Lannon, Menomonee Falls, Merton, Mukwonago, Muskego, Nashotah, New Berlin, North Lake, North Prairie, Oconomowoc, Okauchee, Pewaukee, Sussex, Wales, Waukesha.

Waukesha, WI (City)

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens allowed on single-family properties | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required backyard hen permit | Key Restrictions: Established via code updates to allow urban chicken keeping; birds must remain inside a secure coop or run situated within the rear yard; slaughtering is prohibited | Section: § 33.07 (Ordinance 2023-4) | Source: waukesha-wi.gov

Pewaukee, WI (City)

Hen Limit: Up to 5 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit ($100 fee) | Key Restrictions: Subject to a highly structured 13-point regulatory checklist detailing sanitation, run configuration, and vector control | Section: Municipal Code | Source: cityofpewaukee.us

Brookfield, WI

Hen Limit: Banned on standard residential lots; minimum of 3 acres required under general livestock rules | Roosters: Allowed only on agricultural acreage matching livestock tiers | Permit: No specialized small-flock backyard permit available | Key Restrictions: Strict historical zoning prevents standard residential chicken keeping; proposals for small-scale residential chicken modifications have been historically rejected | Section: Chapter 6.04 | Source: ci.brookfield.wi.us

Menomonee Falls, WI

Hen Limit: Banned on standard suburban lots; minimum of 3 acres required | Roosters: Prohibited in residential zones | Key Restrictions: Maintained a 3-acre restriction following extensive board debates, preventing standard subdivision lots from managing small flocks | Section: Village Animal Ordinance | Source: menomonee-falls.org

Unincorporated / County Zoning Jurisdiction: Big Bend, Butler, Delafield, Dousman, Eagle, Elm Grove, Genesee Depot, Hartland, Lannon, Merton, Mukwonago, Muskego, Nashotah, New Berlin, North Lake, North Prairie, Okauchee, Sussex, Wales, WI

Hen Limit: Allowed under strict regional guidelines; numbers vary based on town rules | Roosters: Prohibited in high-density residential subdivisions | Permit: Required County Recreational Chicken Keeping Registration ($50 fee) | Key Restrictions: Properties under direct county or shoreland zoning must file the recreational registration and comply with designated best management practices. Neighboring towns maintain independent rules (e.g., Butler allows up to 6 fowl; Elm Grove allows 4 hens with local permit; Hartland allows 2 hens in residential zones with annual approval) | Section: Waukesha County Shoreland & Land Use Code | Source: waukeshaacounty.gov

Waupaca County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Big Falls, Clintonville, Embarrass, Fremont, Iola, King, Manawa, Marion, New London, Ogdensburg, Readfield, Scandinavia, Waupaca, Weyauwega.

Waupaca, WI (City)

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual license from the City Clerk ($10 fee) | Setback: Enclosures must sit at least 20ft from any neighboring residential structure and 5ft from property boundaries; limited to backyards | Section: Chapter 10 | Source: cityofwaupaca.org

Unincorporated: Big Falls, Clintonville, Embarrass, Fremont, Iola, King, Manawa, Marion, New London, Ogdensburg, Readfield, Scandinavia, Weyauwega, WI

Hen Limit: Not specified by county zoning ordinances | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required by the county | Key Restrictions: General rural guidelines protect traditional hobby farming, but incorporated villages within these lines manage independent local codes | Section: Waupaca County Planning & Zoning | Source: waupacacounty-wi.gov

Waushara County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Coloma, Hancock, Pine River, Plainfield, Poy Sippi, Redgranite, Saxeville, Wautoma, Wild Rose.

Wautoma, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required local permit with fee | Setback: Coops must be kept in the rear yard and maintain a minimum 15ft buffer from side and rear property borders | Section: City Code Title 7 | Source: cityofwautoma.com

Unincorporated: Coloma, Hancock, Pine River, Plainfield, Poy Sippi, Redgranite, Saxeville, Wild Rose, WI

Winnebago County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Butte Des Morts, Eureka, Larsen, Menasha, Neenah, Omro, Oshkosh, Pickett, Waukau, Winnebago, Winneconne.

Oshkosh, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required permit from the City Clerk ($25 initial fee) | Setback: Enclosures must be placed in the rear yard, at least 25ft from any residential building on an adjacent lot, and 10ft from property lines | Section: Chapter 6 Animals | Source: oshkoshwi.gov

Neenah, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required backyard chicken permit from the Health Department | Setback: Structures must sit a minimum of 25ft from neighboring residential buildings and satisfy standard side/rear property line boundaries | Section: Chapter 3 | Source: neenahwi.gov

Unincorporated: Butte Des Morts, Eureka, Larsen, Menasha, Omro, Pickett, Waukau, Winnebago, Winneconne, WI

Hen Limit: Varies depending on local town overlays (e.g., Town of Menasha / Town of Winneconne rules apply locally) | Roosters: Restricted near dense suburban parcels | Permit: Not required under baseline county agricultural rules, but town boards govern localized subdivisions | Section: Winnebago County Town Zoning Regulations | Source: co.winnebago.wi.us

Wood County, Wisconsin Chicken Laws

Cities & Towns: Arpin, Auburndale, Babcock, Blenker, Hewitt, Marshfield, Milladore, Nekoosa, Pittsville, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Vesper, Wisconsin Rapids.

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual permit from the City Clerk | Setback: Coops must be confined to the backyard and located at least 20ft from any neighboring dwelling | Section: Chapter 19 | Source: wirapids.org

Marshfield, WI

Hen Limit: Up to 4 hens | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Required annual license issued by the City Clerk | Setback: Must be at least 10ft from side or rear lot lines and 25ft from neighboring residential structures | Section: Chapter 9 | Source: ci.marshfield.wi.us

Unincorporated: Arpin, Auburndale, Babcock, Blenker, Hewitt, Milladore, Nekoosa, Pittsville, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Vesper, WI

Hen Limit: No baseline restriction on agricultural plots | Roosters: Allowed | Permit: Not required under general county land rules | Setback: Governed by broad residential-accessory structure buffers within specific townships | Section: Wood County Planning & Zoning Ordinance | Source: co.wood.wi.us

Zoning, Building Permits and HOA Notes

Coops are accessory structures and must comply with local zoning rules on size, placement, and setbacks. Some cities require building permits for larger coops or permanent structures. Homeowners associations can restrict or ban chickens even where city or county ordinances allow them. Nuisance, sanitation, and noise rules apply statewide.

Verify: Check your city or county website, contact the zoning office, and review HOA covenants before building a coop.

Wisconsin Predator Challenges

Wisconsin flocks face predators such as hawks, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, and neighborhood dogs. Secure coops and covered runs are essential.

Top risks: Foxes, raccoons, hawks.
Protection tips: Use hardware cloth, bury fencing at least 12 inches deep, lock coops at night, and cover runs to deter hawks.

Permits and Local Requirements

Wisconsin does not require a statewide backyard chicken permit. However, DATCP requires premises registration for all poultry keepers. Many cities require local animal permits, zoning approvals, or building permits for coops. Rural counties often have no permit requirements for small flocks, but nuisance and sanitation rules still apply.

Selling Backyard Eggs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is friendly toward small-scale egg producers. Small direct sales are often exempt under small-producer rules. Eggs must follow DATCP labeling and handling requirements.

Direct Sales Only: Allowed without permit for small scale to consumers.
Labeling: Include producer name, address, "Ungraded," safe handling instructions.
Storage: Refrigerate properly; avoid selling addled/moldy eggs.
Larger Sales: May require DATCP registration/inspection if wholesale or high volume.

Wisconsin State Poultry Slaughter Rules

Under Wisconsin regulations governed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (Wis. Stat. § 97.43) and administrative rules (ch. ATCP 55), backyard poultry owners must follow specific state requirements for slaughtering and processing meat. Wisconsin operates its own comprehensive state meat and poultry inspection program that mirrors federal standards while providing distinct local exemptions:

Personal Use: Fully exempt and legal. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 97.43, you may slaughter poultry you raised on your own premises for your exclusive personal use, or for consumption by members of your immediate household, non-paying guests, and employees. No state license or official inspection is required for personal consumption, provided sanitary conditions are maintained.
Commercial Sale (The 1,000-Bird Exemption): Wisconsin law explicitly exempts poultry producers from licensing and inspection requirements if they raise and slaughter fewer than 1,000 birds annually on their own farm. To qualify for this exemption, the birds must be sold directly to consumers from the place where the birds were raised, and the packaging must be clearly labeled with the producer's name, address, net weight, and the explicit statement "NOT INSPECTED".
Commercial Scale (1,000 to 20,000 Birds): Under Wis. Stat. § 97.43(11), operations processing more than 1,000 but less than 20,000 birds per year are fully subject to DATCP regulations regarding licensing, facility sanitation, and standard practices to ensure the product is not adulterated. However, they may be exempt from continuous daily, bird-by-bird inspector presence if consumer safety is maintained. These products may be sold to local retail stores, hotels, and restaurants within state lines.
Humane Standards: Required. All personal and commercial slaughtering must comply with state animal welfare laws, requiring humane handling and sanitary procedures to ensure that the resulting food product is sound, clean, and fit for human consumption.
Nuisance Laws: Enforced locally. While state law permits small-scale exempt slaughter on your own property, local municipal ordinances often strictly override this in residential zones. On-site processing inside city limits may be restricted or completely prohibited by local zoning, code enforcement, or health departments due to noise, visibility, odor, or waste disposal rules.

Wisconsin utilizes its own robust state inspection system to manage small producer exemptions. For official compliance and facility setup guidelines, review the Wisconsin DATCP Meat and Poultry Businesses resource page.

How do I raise backyard chickens successfully?

Ready to build your coop? Follow our Step-by-Step DIY Chicken Coop Guide and construct a sturdy, well-ventilated coop built specifically to handle Wisconsin's humid summers, sub-zero winter blasts, and heavy snowfall.

Already have chickens? Set your flock up for long-term success in the Badger State. From selecting cold-hardy breeds that easily survive freezing upper-Midwest winters to managing seasonal mud and intense predator pressure from Wisconsin's native raccoons, foxes, coyotes, badgers, and hawks, our guides help you maintain a productive, neighborhood-friendly flock.

Complete Resource: View Our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Management Guide

Disclaimer: This is not official legal advice. Information is for general reference only, based on Wisconsin Department of Agriculture guidance and municipal and county ordinances available at the time of research. Local laws, zoning, and HOA rules change frequently. Always verify directly with your city, county, planning department, animal control, or HOA for your address. See our full Disclaimer & Legal Notice.

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