Can I keep chickens in Fond du Lac, WI?
Yes — Fond du Lac allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 15 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Code of the City of Fond du Lac Ch. 216 (Animals), Ch. 433 (Licenses & Permits), Ch. 720 (Zoning); Ord. No. 3591, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($50) |
| Coop setback | 15 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | One detached henhouse per lot used exclusively for hens; max 12 sq ft henhouse and 12 sq ft covered run; max height 8 ft; no temporary/movable coops (no chicken tractors); enclosed, predator-proof, insulated, ventilated; permit not issued if lot already has a shed/gazebo/similar accessory building. |
| Code section | Code of the City of Fond du Lac Ch. 216 (Animals), Ch. 433 (Licenses & Permits), Ch. 720 (Zoning); Ord. No. 3591 |
Fond du Lac allows up to 4 hens (no roosters) on an owner-occupied single-family lot in a residential zoning district, under an annual chicken-keeping permit costing $50. Birds must be housed in a detached henhouse no larger than 12 sq ft, kept at least 15 ft from side/rear lot lines, with no slaughter and no commercial use permitted.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Fond du Lac?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Fond du Lac (Code of the City of Fond du Lac Ch. 216 (Animals), Ch. 433 (Licenses & Permits), Ch. 720 (Zoning); Ord. No. 3591).
How many chickens can I keep in Fond du Lac?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Fond du Lac?
Yes — Fond du Lac requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $50).
Are roosters allowed in Fond du Lac?
No — roosters are prohibited in Fond du Lac.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Fond du Lac?
15 feet minimum. One detached henhouse per lot used exclusively for hens; max 12 sq ft henhouse and 12 sq ft covered run; max height 8 ft; no temporary/movable coops (no chicken tractors); enclosed, predator-proof, insulated, ventilated; permit not issued if lot already has a shed/gazebo/similar accessory building.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Fond du Lac?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Fond du Lac's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Fond du Lac?
Code of the City of Fond du Lac Ch. 216 (Animals), Ch. 433 (Licenses & Permits), Ch. 720 (Zoning); Ord. No. 3591. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Code of the City of Fond du Lac Ch. 216 (Animals), Ch. 433 (Licenses & Permits), Ch. 720 (Zoning); Ord. No. 3591 — read the official code
“The maximum size of a henhouse shall not exceed 12 square feet. The maximum size of a covered run shall not exceed 12 square feet. The maximum height of a henhouse, including the area of a covered run, shall not exceed 8 feet.” source
“A total of four hens and/or pullets per lot are permitted.” source
“Licensing fee is $50 for up to four (4) hens” source
“A chicken keeping permit is required to keep and maintain or allow than four (4) hens on an owner-occupied lot located in a residential zoning district within the City of Fond du Lac” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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