Animal Ordinances in Fitchburg, WI (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Fitchburg, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Fitchburg's R-L zoning code allows limited animal husbandry, including poultry, up to 25 percent of one animal unit per acre, where one animal unit equals 100 poultry under the code's definitions. Dogs, cats and small domesticated animals under about 30 pounds are separately permitted.
Fitchburg, WI Backyard Chicken & Animal Rules
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 22-56(13)-(14)a
(13)Domesticated animals, other than dogs and cats, with a maximum weight of generally less than 30 pounds.(14)Limited animal husbandry:a.Not exceeding 25 percent of one animal unit per acre or a pro-rated portion of an acre.
Dog Leash Laws
Fitchburg, Wisconsin bars an owner from letting a dog run at large on any city street, alley or public place, with the only exceptions being the city dog park and public hunting grounds. In every other city park or recreational area, the dog must be restrained by rope, cord, leash, chain, harness or bridle under Dane County's City of Fitchburg code.
Fitchburg, WI Leash and Dog-at-Large Law
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 56-74(1), (7)
It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any animal to let such animal do any of the following: (1)Run at large. Run or be at large upon any street, alley or public place in the city or on property other than that of the owner or keeper except in the following areas:a.City dog park; andb.Public hunting grounds. ... (7)Presence in public parks. Be present in or upon the grounds of any cit...
Beekeeping
Fitchburg, Wisconsin allows honey bees on single-family and duplex lots in the R-L, R-LM and R-M districts, but City Code § 22-56(14)(b) requires a zoning administrator permit, caps hive size at 20 cubic feet, limits hive counts by lot size, and sets minimum setbacks from property lines, sidewalks and neighboring buildings.
Fitchburg, WI Backyard Beekeeping Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 22-56(14)(b)
b.Bees. The keeping of honey bees (apis Mellitera) in the yards of single family residences or duplexes located in the R-L, R-LM or R-M district shall be allowed, provided the use complies with the following:1.Number and size of beehives.A.No hive shall exceed 20 cubic feet in volume.B.Up to a maximum of six hives allowed on lots up to two acres. Lots of two to five acres shall be allowed up to...
Pet Limits
Fitchburg, Wisconsin sets no flat cap on how many dogs or cats a household may keep, but under Dane County's City of Fitchburg code, reaching four or more dogs turns the premises into a kennel that the humane officer must inspect annually, with a certificate of inspection required to stay compliant.
Fitchburg, WI Four-Dog Kennel Inspection
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 56-30(a), (c)
(a)The owner of four or more dogs shall have his/her premises and/or kennel area inspected annually by the humane officer, or by any person duly appointed by the humane officer, to ensure that said dogs and their habitat are within the legal requirements and the boundaries of the city zoning laws. ... (c)All owners whose premises or kennel area must be inspected shall have in their possession a...
Cat Rules
Fitchburg, Wisconsin requires every cat five months or older kept in the city's urban services area to carry an annual license under City Code Section 56-26. Section 56-74 separately bans letting any animal, cats included, run at large off the owner's property anywhere in the city.
Fitchburg WI Cat Licensing and At-Large Rule
Some RestrictionsFitchburg City Code §§ 56-26, 56-74(1)
Every person who owns, harbors or keeps a cat in the urban services area of the city that is five months of age or older shall annually obtain a license and pay a cat license tax/fee for said cat. ... It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any animal to let such animal do any of the following:(1)Run at large. Run or be at large upon any street, alley or public place in the city or on p...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Fitchburg zones veterinary clinics differently by district: Sec. 22-310 lists "animal hospital and kennel" as a flat-out permitted use in the B-H Highway Business District, while Sec. 22-345 allows "veterinary services" in the RD Rural Development District only after a plan commission conditional use approval.
Veterinary Clinics Zoning in Fitchburg, WI
Significant RestrictionsFitchburg City Code § 22-345
Sec. 22-345. - Conditional uses. For the RD Rural Development District, conditional uses are as follows: (1)All uses conditional in the R-L district.(2)Horticultural specialties. (018)(3)Commercial animal operation. (075)(4)Veterinary services. (074)(5)Landscape services and sales. (078)(6)Fish hatcheries. (092)
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fitchburg city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Dane County →