Own Chickens

Local laws · Wisconsin

Fitchburg chicken laws

City of Fitchburg allows backyard chickens on residentially zoned lots under its Limited Animal Husbandry zoning rule, capped at 25 chickens per acre (prorated by lot size, e.g., up to 5–6 chickens on a 10,000 sq ft lot) where the keeper lives on site.

Last checked 2026-10-25 against official city sources. Rules change, so confirm with the city before buying birds.

Quick facts

Chicken limit
25 chickens per acre, prorated by lot size (0.25 animal units per acre under Sec. 22-56(14))
Roosters
Subject to city noise and nuisance ordinances; check subdivision covenants
Permit or license
No city chicken license required for personal use; Wisconsin DATCP livestock premises registration required (Conditional Use Permit required to sell eggs)
Last checked
2026-10-25

This applies inside Fitchburg city limits. ZIP codes and mailing addresses can cross city lines, and nearby towns, villages, and counties have their own rules. HOA rules and leases can be stricter.

Before you apply

  • Register your premises with the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) / DATCP Livestock Premises Registration program (mandatory under state law).
  • Check subdivision deed restrictions and homeowner association covenants, which may prohibit poultry even where city zoning allows it.
  • To sell eggs produced on the property, you must obtain a Conditional Use Permit for Urban Agriculture from the City and a transient retail food license from DATCP.

Key rules

  • Allowed as Limited Animal Husbandry on residentially zoned properties (R-L, R-LM, R-M, or R-H) only when the person performing the animal husbandry lives on site.
  • Flock size is prorated at 25 chickens per acre (43,560 sq ft)—for example, about 5 chickens on a 0.2-acre (8,712 sq ft) lot.
  • Enclosures cannot be forward of the front face of the principal structure, must obey front setbacks, and must be at least 4 feet from side and rear lot lines.
  • Enclosures cannot exceed 400 square feet in floor area, 15 feet in height, or the height of the principal structure.

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Other cities we have checked

WIMadisonUp to 8 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIMilwaukeeUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIGreen BayUp to 5 hens. Roosters prohibited. WIAppletonUp to 6 chickens (hens only). Roosters not allowed (the rules define chickens as hens only). WIEau ClaireUp to 5 poultry (hens; quail included). Roosters, cocks, and drakes prohibited. WILa CrosseUp to 8 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIOshkoshUp to 6 chickens and/or ducks per residential lot. The permit covers hens; confirm rooster rules in Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code. WIKenoshaUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIColumbusUp to 4 chickens. Roosters prohibited. WIJanesvilleUp to 4 hens or 4 female ducks (not both). Roosters and drakes prohibited. WIWaukeshaUp to 4 chickens (6 on parcels over 1 acre). Roosters prohibited (ducks, geese, turkeys, and other fowl also prohibited). WISheboyganUp to 3 domestic animals/fowl over 5 months without a permit; Animal Fancier Permit required for more than 3. Subject to nuisance and noise provisions in Sheboygan Municipal Code Sec. 8-15. WIWauwatosaUp to 4 chickens (hens). Roosters prohibited. WIFond du LacUp to 4 hens and/or pullets. Roosters prohibited. WIWausauUp to 4 hens or pullets. Roosters prohibited. WISun PrairieUp to 4 hens (up to 15 hens at permitted schools). Roosters prohibited. WIMiddletonUp to 6 hens on lots up to 0.5 acre; up to 8 hens on lots over 0.5 acre. Roosters and crowing hens prohibited. WIStevens PointUp to 5 chickens (or combination of up to 5 chickens, ducks, or rabbits). Roosters prohibited. WINeenahUp to 4 total chickens, doves, or other fowl per property. Roosters prohibited. WIBeaver DamNot allowed (0 chickens in city limits). Prohibited (all chickens and farm poultry prohibited). WIWatertownUp to 4 hens. Roosters prohibited. WIBeloitUp to 4 female chickens. Roosters prohibited (including capons). WIDe PereUp to 4 chickens (combined dogs, cats, and chickens cannot exceed 6 animals). Roosters prohibited. MNMinneapolisPermit fee tiers cover 1-6, 7-15, and 16-30 birds. Separate rooster permit fee ($110); neighbor consent required. MNSaint PaulUp to 15 hens (Tier One: 1-6, Tier Two: 7-15). Roosters prohibited. ILChicagoNo numeric limit in city code for egg-laying hens (must meet sanitation, noise, and space standards). Not explicitly banned by species, but crowing that disturbs neighbors violates Chicago noise and animal nuisance ordinances. ILEvanston2 to 6 hens (minimum of 2, maximum of 6). Roosters prohibited on residential properties (limited exception for accredited educational institutions under Ord. 22-O-23). MNRochesterUp to 3 hens (up to 12 hens for educational or instructional activity with letter of request). Roosters prohibited. MNDuluthUp to 5 female chickens. Roosters prohibited. IADes MoinesUp to 30 birds total (max 2 species) on parcels under 1 acre; up to 50 on 1 acre plus 50 per additional acre. Roosters require written consent from every abutting property owner or lawful occupant (Ord. 16,402). IACedar RapidsUp to 6 hens (female chickens). Roosters prohibited. IAIowa CityUp to 4 hens. Roosters prohibited. MIAnn ArborUp to 6 birds (chickens, ducks, or a combination of both). Roosters (male chickens) prohibited; drakes (male ducks) and hen ducks are permitted. MIGrand RapidsUp to 4 hens on lots 3,800–5,000 sq ft; up to 6 hens on lots over 5,000 sq ft (lots under 3,800 sq ft ineligible). Roosters expressly prohibited regardless of age. INIndianapolisUp to 12 adult poultry (chickens, ducks, quail, or pigeons) per lot. Up to 1 rooster allowed per lot, provided it is kept inside a fully enclosed structure from dusk to dawn. OHColumbusDetermined by coop and run space (laying hens need at least 1.5 sq ft inside the coop and 8 sq ft in the outside run per bird; large chickens need 2 sq ft coop / 10 sq ft run; bantams 1 sq ft coop / 4 sq ft run). Roosters prohibited (peafowl, geese, and turkeys also prohibited).