If signed into law, the bill would allow property owners to keep up to four chickens, geese, ducks, quail, or guinea fowl in their backyards. Municipalities would get to decide if residents need to obtain a chicken-keeping license or if roosters are permitted. But as of the time of this article, the bill has not yet been signed into law. To determine whether or not you can own chickens in your city, contact your local animal control, zoning office, or city clerk's office. Meanwhile, I've put together a list of ten Wisconsin cities where urban chicken keeping is legal.
1. Milwaukee, WI
Urban backyard chicken keeping is legal in the city of Milwaukee, WI. However, before engaging in the practice, you need to obtain a permit from the City. With a permit, you may keep up to 4 chickens on your residential property in Milwaukee. Roosters are not permitted and you also can't slaughter chickens on your property. The permit, which is issued by the Department of Neighborhood Services, isn't allowed on commercial or mixed-use occupancies. Before you're granted a permit, the Department will notify your neighbors, who will be allowed to voice any concerns they may have. You may contact the Department at 414-286-2759 if you have any questions.
2. Madison, WI
An annual Chicken License is required to own backyard chickens in Madison, Wisconsin. You are to apply for your chicken license within a month of acquiring the chickens. The City Code prohibits the keeping of chickens in an unsanitary condition or in any manner so as to be a nuisance. A maximum of 8 chickens (hens only) is allowed as an accessory use on lots with up to 4 dwelling units. The hens must be provided with a covered enclosure located at least 25 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent lot. Roosters and the on-site slaughtering of chickens are prohibited.
3. Green Bay, WI
The City of Green Bay code Section 6-3 requires that you obtain a Chicken License to keep a limited number of hens in your backyard. The license permits you to keep no more than 4 hens in compliance with the City Code.
4. Kenosha, WI
In Kenosha, WI, an annual Backyard Chicken Coop License is required to own chickens. With a license, you may keep up to 4 hens and no roosters in your backyard. Your hen enclosure may not be located closer than 25 feet to any neighboring residence. By ordinance, chickens are permitted only on single-family dwelling properties. The ordinance expressly prohibits the keeping of chickens on duplex, triplex, quadplex, multifamily properties, and mobile home/RV parks. Furthermore, the slaughtering of chickens, selling of chickens, eggs, or manure from the property is not permitted.
5. Racine, WI
The City of Racine allows the keeping of backyard chickens on a non-commercial basis in residential zones. By ordinance, you're permitted to keep a maximum of 4 chickens (hens only) on your residential property. Hens, according to the ordinance, may only be kept on single-family residential properties. Mobile homes, condominiums, apartment complexes, and duplexes are prohibited from having backyard chickens. At single-family residential properties, henhouses must be located in the backyard and must provide at least 3 square feet of space per hen.
6. Appleton, WI
You can have backyard chickens in Appleton, WI, but not without first reading the Rules & Regulations and securing a permit from the Health Department. The permit allows you to keep up to 6 chickens on a single-family or two-family dwelling lot. Backyard chickens aren't permitted on commercial or mixed-use occupancies. If you're a renter, you must obtain written permission from the property owner before you're issued a permit.
7. Eau Claire, WI
With a Poultry License, you can keep up to 5 female chickens or quail on your residential property. You must keep your hens or quail in a coop attached to a run/enclosure at all times. Your chicken coop may be situated in the side or rear yard of your property. You must place it 10 feet from any property line, 25 feet from any neighboring residence, and 5 feet from any structure on your own property. The coop must provide a minimum of 3 square feet of space per bird. Furthermore, you must keep the coop in such as condition as not to cause an odor or health nuisance to neighbors.
8. Janesville, WI
In Janesville, WI, backyard chickens are permitted on any residential zoning lot containing one single-family dwelling unit. However, an annual residential chicken premises permit must be obtained before the keeping may occur. The City's municipal code allows no more than 4 female chickens per single-family residential lot. Hens must be kept in a henhouse attached to a chicken run, which must be located in the rear yard and kept in a sanitary condition at all times. Both the henhouse and run must be located at least ten feet from the rear property line and more than 18 feet from any principal structure located on any adjacent property.
9. La Crosse, WI
You may have up to 8 backyard chickens in La Crosse, WI, subject to certain requirements and conditions. Per Chapter 6, Sec. 6-16 of the La Crosse Municipal Code, you must obtain an annual license from the City Clerk within 30 days of acquiring the chickens. You must not keep any roosters or slaughter any chickens on your property. The city code requires all hens to be provided with a covered enclosure that must be located at least 25 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent lot.
10. Sheboygan, WI
As of the time of this article, a permit or license is not required to keep backyard chickens in Sheboygan, WI. The number of chickens you can keep is also not currently restricted. However, the City Code is against keeping chickens, ducks, or geese in an unsanitary condition. Or, keeping chickens within such proximity of dwelling houses as to be a nuisance.
Upon complaint or on its own initiative, the building inspection department will inspect properties on which chickens are kept and determine whether the conditions are unsanitary or if for any reason a nuisance is caused thereby. If the department determines that a nuisance exists, it may order the chicken owner to abate the nuisance and it will thereon be illegal to keep such chickens on the property.
Other cities that allow backyard chickens in Wisconsin
- City of Waukesha, WI - 4 chickens per parcel
- Oshkosh, WI - 4 hens per residential lot
- Wauwatosa, WI - You can have up to 4 hens
- Fond du Lac, WI - 4 hens per owner-occupied lot
- New Berlin, WI - Up to 4 hens or ducks per single-family dwelling
- Wausau, WI - 4 hens per residential zoning lot
- Sun Prairie, WI - You can have up to four hens
- Beloit, WI - 4 female chickens per property
- Manitowoc, W - Up to 6 hens per property
- Fitchburg, WI - 25 chickens per acre
- City of West Bend, WI - 4 chickens per property
- Neenah, WI - No more than 4 chickens per property
- Superior, WI - Chickens must not create a nuisance
- Stevens Point, WI - 5 hens or ducks per residential lot
- Mequon, WI - 4 hens per lot of 1.5 acres or greater
- De Pere, WI - No more than 4 hens are permitted
- Muskego, WI - 4 hens per single-family property
This list isn't exhaustive, meaning many more Wisconsin municipalities allow backyard chickens.
