Can I keep chickens in La Crosse, WI?
Yes — La Crosse allows backyard chickens, up to 8 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (La Crosse Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-16, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 8 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Chickens kept on one-family or two-family dwelling property only; covered enclosure min 3 sq ft per bird; kept in covered or fenced backyard enclosure at all times; no enclosure closer than 25 ft to any residential structure on an adjacent lot; coops/yards kept clean and subject to City/County Health Dept inspection. |
| Code section | La Crosse Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-16 |
La Crosse allows up to 8 chickens per property on one- or two-family dwelling lots under a license (obtained within 30 days of acquiring chickens; fee set by resolution, late fee if not licensed by April 1). No roosters and no slaughter of chickens is permitted; enclosures must be at least 25 ft from any residential structure on an adjacent lot. License revocable after 3+ violations in 12 months.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in La Crosse?
Yes — chickens are allowed in La Crosse (La Crosse Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-16).
How many chickens can I keep in La Crosse?
Up to 8 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in La Crosse?
Yes — La Crosse requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in La Crosse?
No — roosters are prohibited in La Crosse.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in La Crosse?
25 feet minimum. Chickens kept on one-family or two-family dwelling property only; covered enclosure min 3 sq ft per bird; kept in covered or fenced backyard enclosure at all times; no enclosure closer than 25 ft to any residential structure on an adjacent lot; coops/yards kept clean and subject to City/County Health Dept inspection.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in La Crosse?
No — slaughter is not permitted under La Crosse's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in La Crosse?
La Crosse Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-16. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
La Crosse Code of Ordinances Ch. 6 (Animals), Sec. 6-16 — read the official code
“A person may only own, keep or harbor chickens on property being used as a one-family dwelling or two-family dwelling as defined in section 115-1.” source
“The chickens shall be provided with a covered enclosure that measures a minimum of three square feet per bird, and all chickens must be kept in the covered enclosure or a fenced enclosure within the backyard of the property at all times.” source
“One property is limited to the keeping or harboring of up to eight chickens.” source
“No person shall own, keep or harbor any chickens, or build, erect or maintain and use any chicken coop without obtaining a license as required by this section.” 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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