Winnebago County, WI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Max flock size
- 4 chickens per lot
- Roosters
- Prohibited
- Coop setback
- 25 feet from neighbor's home
- State registration
- Required with DATCP
- Applies in
- towns approving county zoning
Summary
Winnebago County zoning caps backyard flocks at 4 hens, bans roosters and on-site slaughter, and requires a covered enclosure set back 25 feet from a neighbor's home, in towns where the county's zoning code applies.
(a) Number. No more than 4 chickens may be kept.
(b) Roosters. The keeping of roosters is prohibited.
(c) Slaughter of chickens prohibited. The slaughter of chickens on the premises is prohibited.
(d) Enclosure requirements. Chickens shall be provided with a covered enclosure and must be kept in the covered enclosure or a fenced enclosure at all times.
(e) Setback requirements. The enclosure housing chickens shall be located at least 25 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent lot.
(f) Registration required. The owner, operator, or tenant shall register the premise where chickens are kept with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection as required by state law and maintain such registration for so long as may be required.
Full Breakdown
As an accessory use under the county's town/county zoning code, backyard chickens are capped at 4 birds per lot, with roosters and on-site slaughter both banned. The coop or run must be a covered enclosure kept at least 25 feet from any residential structure on an adjoining lot, and the keeper must register the premises with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. These standards apply only in towns that have adopted the county's general zoning ordinance under Wis. Stat. Sec. 59.69 - they do not reach chickens kept inside Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, or other incorporated cities and villages, which set their own rules.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 4-bird cap, keeping a rooster, or missing the setback or DATCP registration is a zoning citation under Sec. 23.14-9: $300 plus court costs, or $200 for a missing permit or approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep roosters with my backyard chickens in Winnebago County?
Does this chicken rule apply inside Oshkosh or Neenah?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
How Winnebago County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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