Sheboygan, WI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Section 18-14, Keeping of fowl (Ord. No. 13-99-00, adopted August 2, 1999), is a nuisance-and-sanitation rule. Subsection (a) says no person shall keep any ducks, geese, pigeons, chickens, birds, or other fowl within the city in any unsanitary condition or within such proximity of dwelling houses or in any manner so as to be a nuisance. The section prints no coop size, setback distance or hen cap of its own. The standard is the condition of the premises and the effect on neighbors.

Subsection (b) names the enforcer: the building inspection department. Upon complaint or on its own initiative, the department inspects premises where fowl are kept and determines whether the conditions are unsanitary or whether a nuisance is caused for any reason. If it finds either, it orders the owner or occupant of the premises to abate the nuisance, and it is then unlawful to keep the fowl on the premises.

A numeric trigger sits elsewhere in chapter 18. Section 18-57 says no person shall keep, harbor, shelter or possess more than three domestic animals including fowl over the age of five months unless the person holds a valid animal fancier permit, with no more than one permit issued per dwelling unit. A household with chickens counts them toward that limit.

Larger livestock is handled by section 18-8. Subsection (a) says no person shall keep or feed any swine or cattle on any premises within the city. Subsection (b) makes an exception for a miniature potbellied pig kept as a pet, with no more than two such pigs on any premises. Each pig more than five months old must be licensed under 18-8(c): the printed minimum tax is $3.25 for a neutered or spayed pig with evidence, and $8.25 for an unneutered male or unspayed female, plus a $5.00 late fee if the license is not obtained before April 1 of each year or within 30 days of acquiring the pig. Section 18-10 adds that pets kept within a private premises or dwelling shall be maintained so as not to cause a rubbish problem, a potential rodent problem or an offensive odor problem.