Own Chickens

Local laws · Wisconsin

Wausau chicken laws

City of Wausau allows up to 4 hens or pullets on owner-occupied residential lots with an annual $35 permit from the City Clerk and a site inspection. Roosters and slaughter are prohibited.

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

Quick facts

Chicken limit
Up to 4 hens or pullets
Roosters
Roosters prohibited
Permit or license
Annual Chicken Keeping Permit ($35/year; license year runs July 1 to June 30)
Last checked
2026-10-25

This applies inside Wausau 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

  • Apply within 30 days of getting chickens and renew before July 1 each year (late fee of twice the application fee applies).
  • Applicant must be the primary property owner of record and reside on the premises.
  • Register with Wisconsin DATCP Livestock Premises Registration and submit a copy with the application to the City Clerk.
  • Pass a premises inspection demonstrating all coop, setback, and sanitation standards in Wausau Municipal Code Sec. 8.08.012 are met.

Key rules

  • Allowed on owner-occupied residential lots zoned SR-2, SR-3, SR-5, SR-7, TF-10, MR-12, MR-20, or MR-50.
  • Coop and attached contiguous run must be in the rear yard, at least 10 feet from any property line and at least 25 feet from any principal residential structure on an adjacent lot.
  • Coop and attached run must provide at least 3 square feet per chicken and cannot exceed 24 square feet total; must be raised off the ground or placed on concrete, patio block, or gravel.
  • Chickens must stay in the coop or run at all times and be secured inside the coop from sunset to sunrise.
  • On-site slaughter and commercial activity (including selling eggs or fertilizer) are prohibited. Feed must be stored in rodent-proof containers.

Spot something out of date?

Cities update fees and rules. If you find a change, send us the official source link and we will re-check this page.

Report a correction

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. WISun PrairieUp to 4 hens (up to 15 hens at permitted schools). Roosters prohibited. WIFitchburg25 chickens per acre, prorated by lot size (0.25 animal units per acre under Sec. 22-56(14)). Subject to city noise and nuisance ordinances; check subdivision covenants. 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).