Can I keep chickens in Waukesha, WI?
Yes — Waukesha allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (City of Waukesha Municipal Code Sec. 33.07 (Chickens and Other Fowl), Ch. 33 Animals; enclosures subject to Sec. 22.58, verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Hens only; no roosters. Permit (valid 2 years) required; one permit per parcel; not issued for duplex/multi-family unless the owner occupies a unit. Wisconsin livestock premises registration required. Enclosure must provide >=16 sq ft per chicken (including coop); coop >=3 sq ft per chicken; fully enclosed on all sides including top; covered with solid material or hardware cloth (chicken wire not permitted); predator/rodent-proof; mounted off the ground. No enclosure/coop within 25 ft of a residential dwelling on an adjacent lot without that owner's written consent. |
| Code section | City of Waukesha Municipal Code Sec. 33.07 (Chickens and Other Fowl), Ch. 33 Animals; enclosures subject to Sec. 22.58 |
Waukesha allows up to 4 chickens per parcel (6 on parcels larger than one acre); roosters and other fowl are prohibited. A permit (valid two years, fee set by schedule) and Wisconsin livestock premises registration are required, with one permit per parcel and duplex/multi-family lots eligible only if the owner occupies a unit. Enclosures need at least 16 sq ft per chicken and must sit at least 25 ft from a residential dwelling on an adjacent lot; chickens may only be slaughtered indoors and out of public view.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Waukesha?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Waukesha (City of Waukesha Municipal Code Sec. 33.07 (Chickens and Other Fowl), Ch. 33 Animals; enclosures subject to Sec. 22.58).
How many chickens can I keep in Waukesha?
Up to 4 hens. Tiered by lot size: 4 up to 43,560 sq ft.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Waukesha?
Yes — Waukesha requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Waukesha?
No — roosters are prohibited in Waukesha.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Waukesha?
25 feet minimum. Hens only; no roosters. Permit (valid 2 years) required; one permit per parcel; not issued for duplex/multi-family unless the owner occupies a unit. Wisconsin livestock premises registration required. Enclosure must provide >=16 sq ft per chicken (including coop); coop >=3 sq ft per chicken; fully enclosed on all sides including top; covered with solid material or hardware cloth (chicken wire not permitted); predator/rodent-proof; mounted off the ground. No enclosure/coop within 25 ft of a residential dwelling on an adjacent lot without that owner's written consent.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Waukesha?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in City of Waukesha Municipal Code Sec. 33.07 (Chickens and Other Fowl), Ch. 33 Animals; enclosures subject to Sec. 22.58.
What law covers backyard chickens in Waukesha?
City of Waukesha Municipal Code Sec. 33.07 (Chickens and Other Fowl), Ch. 33 Animals; enclosures subject to Sec. 22.58. Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
City of Waukesha Municipal Code Sec. 33.07 (Chickens and Other Fowl), Ch. 33 Animals; enclosures subject to Sec. 22.58 — read the official code
“Enclosures shall provide at least 16 square feet of area per Chicken, including coop area. ... Coops must provide at least 3 square feet per Chicken. ... Enclosures must be covered with solid material or hardware cloth. Chicken wire is not permitted for enclosures.” source
“No more than four Chickens may be Kept per Parcel, except that six chickens may be Kept on Parcels greater than one acre in area.” source
“A permit issued by the Department is required for the keeping of Chickens. An application and non-refundable fee shall be required for the permit. ... The permit shall be valid for a period of two years” source
“Permits shall not be issued until the applicant has registered the premises on which Chickens will be Kept with the State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, pursuant to Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 17.02.” 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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