Can I keep chickens in Wauwatosa, WI?
Yes — Wauwatosa 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. (Wauwatosa Municipal Code Secs. 9.04.050-9.04.060 (chicken keeping), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes ($50) |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coop and run in rear yard only; together must provide at least 16 sq ft per chicken; no enclosure/coop closer than 25 ft to any residential dwelling on another lot; written permission from abutting neighbors and a site plan required. Selling eggs and slaughtering chickens prohibited. |
| Code section | Wauwatosa Municipal Code Secs. 9.04.050-9.04.060 (chicken keeping) |
Wauwatosa allows residents to keep up to 4 hens (no roosters) under an annual permit ($50 initial, $20 annual renewal; expires Dec. 31). Coop/run must be in the rear yard, provide at least 16 sq ft per chicken, and sit no closer than 25 ft to a residential dwelling on another lot; written permission from abutting neighbors and a site plan are required. Egg sales and slaughter are prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Wauwatosa?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Wauwatosa (Wauwatosa Municipal Code Secs. 9.04.050-9.04.060 (chicken keeping)).
How many chickens can I keep in Wauwatosa?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Wauwatosa?
Yes — Wauwatosa requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens (fee: $50).
Are roosters allowed in Wauwatosa?
No — roosters are prohibited in Wauwatosa.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Wauwatosa?
25 feet minimum. Coop and run in rear yard only; together must provide at least 16 sq ft per chicken; no enclosure/coop closer than 25 ft to any residential dwelling on another lot; written permission from abutting neighbors and a site plan required. Selling eggs and slaughtering chickens prohibited.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Wauwatosa?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Wauwatosa's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Wauwatosa?
Wauwatosa Municipal Code Secs. 9.04.050-9.04.060 (chicken keeping). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Wauwatosa Municipal Code Secs. 9.04.050-9.04.060 (chicken keeping) — read the official code
“We allow residents to keep up to four hens, but no roosters. Permits expire at the end of each calendar year.” source
“The fee for the permit is $50 per household initially and $20 annually thereafter. The license is non-transferable and non-refundable. The permit expires on December 31st of each year.” source
“We allow residents to keep up to four hens, but no roosters.” source
“Chicken coops and yards together shall be large enough to provide at least 16 square feet of space per chicken, and no enclosure or coop shall be located closer than 25 feet of any residential dwelling on any other lot. (per 9.04.055; secondary summary - verify against code)” 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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