Winnebago County, WI Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dog cap
- 3 dogs over 6 months
- Ag-district cap
- 5 dogs in A-1/A-2
- Setback
- No street-yard placement
- Over the cap
- Becomes a hobby kennel
Summary
Winnebago County zoning defines a private kennel as no more than 3 dogs or other domesticated animals over 6 months old outside the A-1/A-2 districts, or 5 within them, before a stricter hobby-kennel classification applies.
17.31 Kennel, private In the A-1 or A-2 zoning districts, a place where no more than 5 dogs or other domesticated
animals over 6 months of age are housed. In all other zoning districts, a place where no more than 3 dogs or
other domesticated animals over 6 months of age are housed.
Domesticated animals shall not include those animals of such
size or character as to normally be considered big game, e.g. 17.35
lions, tigers, bears, etc. and not to include fur-bearing animals,
e.g. mink, chinchilla, etc. except rabbits.
Full Breakdown
The Town/County Zoning Code sets the household pet-keeping threshold through its accessory-use definitions: a 'private kennel' is a place housing no more than 3 dogs or other domesticated animals over 6 months of age outside the A-1 and A-2 agricultural zoning districts, or no more than 5 within those districts. A private kennel cannot be sited in a street-yard setback, and one located in the A-1 district must also qualify under Wis. Stat. § 91.01(1) as a farm-related use. Keeping more animals than the private-kennel cap reclassifies the use as a hobby kennel, a separate accessory use with its own siting rules and permit.
Violations & Fines
Zoning administrator enforcement; $200 citation for operating without a required permit or $300 for other violations, plus court costs, each day a separate offense under §§ 23.14-2, 23.14-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dogs can I keep at my Winnebago County home?
What happens if I keep more dogs than the private-kennel limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin animal ordinances overview
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