Can I keep chickens in New Berlin, WI?
Yes, with conditions — New Berlin allows chickens only in certain zones or lot configurations (up to 4 hens where permitted). Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 5 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (New Berlin Municipal Code Ch. 275 (Zoning), Art. V, Sec. 275-69 (Animal keeping), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Conditional (zone / lot rules) |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 5 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Chickens/ducks kept in a secure enclosure; enclosure must be at least 25 ft from neighboring dwellings and at least 5 ft from the property line. |
| Code section | New Berlin Municipal Code Ch. 275 (Zoning), Art. V, Sec. 275-69 (Animal keeping) |
New Berlin permits keeping and raising of up to a total of 4 chickens and/or ducks per property as an accessory use, but only in the R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-4.5, R-5, R-6 and R-7 zoning districts (zone-dependent, hence conditional). No roosters and no slaughtering are allowed; birds must be in a secure enclosure at least 25 ft from neighboring dwellings and 5 ft from the property line.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in New Berlin?
Yes, with conditions — New Berlin allows chickens only in certain zones or situations (New Berlin Municipal Code Ch. 275 (Zoning), Art. V, Sec. 275-69 (Animal keeping)).
How many chickens can I keep in New Berlin?
Up to 4 hens. Total of 4 chickens and/or ducks combined, permitted only in listed residential zoning districts (R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-4.5, R-5, R-6, R-7); not all residential zones qualify. Source text read via secondary code mirror (Zoneomics).. Rules vary by zoning district — check the full summary for your zone.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in New Berlin?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in New Berlin.
Are roosters allowed in New Berlin?
No — roosters are prohibited in New Berlin.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in New Berlin?
5 feet minimum. Chickens/ducks kept in a secure enclosure; enclosure must be at least 25 ft from neighboring dwellings and at least 5 ft from the property line.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in New Berlin?
No — slaughter is not permitted under New Berlin's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in New Berlin?
New Berlin Municipal Code Ch. 275 (Zoning), Art. V, Sec. 275-69 (Animal keeping). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
New Berlin Municipal Code Ch. 275 (Zoning), Art. V, Sec. 275-69 (Animal keeping) — read the official code
“The keeping and raising of chickens and/or ducks for personal use shall be considered an accessory use in the R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-4.5, R-5, R-6 and R-7 Zoning Districts.” source
“Up to a total of four chickens and/or ducks allowed per property.” source
“No roosters.” source
“Enclosures shall be located no closer than 25 feet to neighboring dwellings and a minimum of five feet from the property line.” 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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