De Pere's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In De Pere, Wisconsin, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Pet Limits

De Pere caps household pets at four dogs and cats combined under Code § 86-3: no more than two dogs and three cats per dwelling unit, and keeping permitted chickens shrinks that cap further. The health officer, after consulting the police chief, can grant a variance, but even with one no home may exceed four dogs or cats.

Key details: Base limit: 4 dogs/cats total per dwelling unit. Dog cap: 2 dogs maximum. Cat cap: 3 cats maximum. Chicken interaction: Pets + chickens capped at 6 animals. Variance authority: Health officer, after consulting police chief.

Keeping more than two dogs, three cats or four dogs/cats combined without a health officer's variance is a Code violation. Under the citywide penalty schedule at § 1-11, that carries a forfeiture of not less than $1.00 nor more than $2,000.00 for each offense, and each day the excess continues counts as a separate offense.

Chickens & Livestock

De Pere allows up to four chickens per residential parcel with a city permit under Code § 86-5(g), while § 86-4(a)(1) bans roosters, ducks, geese, cattle, sheep, swine and all other livestock outright unless tied to an authorized agricultural operation. Roosters are barred even under a chicken permit, and only one permit issues per eligible parcel.

Key details: Chicken limit: 4 hens max, with permit. Roosters: Never allowed. Zoning: R-1 or R-2 parcels only, 1 permit/parcel. Coop setback: 25 ft from neighboring house; no setback area. Other livestock: Cattle, sheep, swine, goats, ducks, geese banned.

Keeping livestock, roosters or unpermitted fowl violates § 86-4(a)(1) and § 86-5(g); the health officer may revoke a chicken permit outright for noncompliance and, once revoked, will not reissue one. General Code violations carry the citywide forfeiture under § 1-11 of $1.00 to $2,000.00 per offense.

Beekeeping

De Pere allows up to two beehives per parcel with a city health department permit under Code § 86-7, limited to R-1 and R-2 residential districts. Hives must sit at least ten feet from a side lot line, five feet from a rear lot line, and 25 feet from a neighbor's house.

Key details: Hive limit: 2 hives per parcel maximum. Zoning: R-1 and R-2 districts only. Setbacks: 10 ft side yard, 5 ft rear yard, 25 ft from neighbor's house. Permit term: Expires June 30 following issuance. Neighbor consent: Written consent from all adjacent owners required.

Keeping bees without a permit, exceeding two hives, or violating the district, setback, screening or flyway-barrier rules in § 86-7 is a violation subject to the section's own forfeiture, in an amount set by council resolution, with each day a violation continues counted as a separate offense; the health officer may also suspend or revoke the permit.

Breed Restrictions

De Pere has no breed ban: Code § 86-4(c) declares an animal dangerous based on what it actually does, not its breed, covering any animal that kills or seriously injures without provocation, or menaces someone off its owner's property. A police officer or the health officer issues the declaration, and owners have 72 hours to contest it before the board of health.

Key details: Basis: Behavior-based, not breed-specific. Declared by: Police officer or city health officer. Appeal window: 72 hours to file written objection. Interim confinement: 4-ft leash + muzzle, or confined indoors. Signage: Warning signs 2+ inches tall at all entrances.

Failing to confine, leash or muzzle a dog pending its dangerous-animal hearing, or failing to remove it from the city within 48 hours of a board of health determination, is enforced under § 86-4(c); the animal can be impounded by the officer who issued the declaration, and general Code violations draw the citywide forfeiture of $1.00 to $2,000.00 under § 1-11.

This is one of the stricter rules in De Pere's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Exotic Pets

De Pere bans keeping, breeding or selling wild animals as pets under Code § 86-4(a): monkeys and other primates, raccoons, skunks, foxes, wolves (including wolf-dog hybrids), and any other animal normally found in the wild are all prohibited, along with venomous reptiles, arachnids and non-native or oversized snakes.

Key details: Wild animals barred: Monkeys, raccoons, skunks, foxes, wolves, etc.. Wolf-dog hybrids: Treated as wild animals. Venomous species: Reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, insects banned. Snake rule: Non-native snakes or any snake over 3 ft. Exemption: Zoos, circuses, educational/medical institutions only.

Keeping a prohibited wild animal, venomous species or oversized/non-native snake violates § 86-4(a). The health officer or a police officer may confiscate and remove the animal from the property under § 86-5(f), and the owner faces the city's general forfeiture under § 1-11 of not less than $1.00 nor more than $2,000.00 per offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in De Pere's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Dog Leash Laws

De Pere bars any animal from running at large: Code § 86-5(a) requires a pet to stay on its owner's property unless crated, penned or tied so it can't reach a public right-of-way, and any animal taken off the property must be under a rope, chain, cord or leash no longer than four feet.

Key details: Leash length: Max 4 feet. On-property rule: Must be crated, penned, or tied to stay on owner's land. Impoundment: Off-premises, uncontrolled animals impounded, § 86-6. Unclaimed animals: Disposed of after 7 days per state law. Parks: Governed separately under chapter 30.

Letting an animal run at large off a leash no longer than four feet violates § 86-5(a) and exposes the owner to impoundment under § 86-6(b), plus boarding fees before release, on top of the citywide forfeiture under § 1-11 of $1.00 to $2,000.00 per offense.

The Bottom Line

De Pere is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in De Pere, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on De Pere's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.