Animal Ordinances in Kenosha, WI (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Kenosha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Kenosha allows up to four hens per licensed single-family lot under Section 14.02(B), but roosters, on-site slaughtering, and any coop within twenty-five feet of a neighbor's residence are forbidden. Larger livestock like swine, cattle, goats, horses and sheep are banned outside the A-1/A-2 agricultural zones and need a Health Administrator permit even there.
Kenosha Backyard Chicken Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 14.02(B)(5)
5.Regulations.a.The principal use of the licensed premises upon which the licensed activity will be conducted must be a single-family dwelling.b.No more than four (4) chickens may be kept on the licensed premises.c.No coop or enclosure may be located closer than twenty-five (25) feet to any residential structure on an adjacent lot. ... h.The licensee is not allowed to keep any rooster upon the ...
Dog Leash Laws
Kenosha bans letting a dog or cat 'run at large' anywhere in the City. City Code § 14.01.D.1 requires a secured leash of six feet or less on public property or on private property without the owner's permission, with limited exceptions.
Kenosha Dog and Cat Leash Law
Some RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 14.01.D.1
It shall be unlawful for any person owning or possessing any dog or cat to permit it to run at large. "Run at Large" shall mean the presence of an animal which is not on a secured leash of six (6) feet or less on any public property or thoroughfare or on any private property without the permission of the property owner or occupier.
Breed Restrictions
Kenosha does not restrict pets by breed. Instead, Section 14.075 lets the Kenosha County Public Health Department declare any individual animal 'dangerous' based on unprovoked attacks or a known propensity to attack, then impose muzzling, insurance, microchipping and confinement conditions, or order the animal destroyed.
Kenosha Dangerous Animal Declaration Rules
Significant RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 14.075(B), (L)
Dangerous Animal shall mean: a.Any animal that, when unprovoked, inflicts bites, injures, endangers, kills, damages or attacks a human being or domestic animal on either public or private property;b.Any animal that has a propensity, tendency or disposition, known to the owner thereof, to attack, without provocation, in a manner which may cause death, injury, damage or which may otherwise endang...
Beekeeping
Kenosha bans keeping bees citywide except in the A-1 and A-2 agricultural zoning districts, where Section 14.02(A) of the Code of General Ordinances allows beekeeping only after obtaining a permit from the Administrator of Health. The permit can limit hive numbers and set fencing, setback and maintenance conditions, and killer bees are banned outright everywhere.
Kenosha Bees Need a Health Permit
Significant RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 14.02(A)
A.No person, party, firm or corporation shall, keep, feed or breed any swine, cattle, foxes, beavers, mink, otter, martin, fisher, raccoon, skunk, goats, horses, mules, asses, sheep, pheasants, poultry or bees in the City, except as herein provided. In the A-1 and A-2 Zoning Districts, swine, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, poultry or bees are permitted upon first obtaining a permit from the Admi...
Exotic Pets
Section 14.02 of the Code of General Ordinances makes it unlawful to bring into, keep or maintain any wild animal or any animal that may endanger life or property anywhere in the City of Kenosha. The ban covers any species not indigenous to North America with a dangerous propensity, with narrow carve-outs for licensed traveling circuses and accredited schools.
Kenosha Bans Wild, Dangerous Animals
Heavy RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 14.02(A)
Nor shall any person, firm or corporation bring into, keep or maintain under their control, within the limits of the City, any wild animal or any animal which may endanger life or property. The word "animal" as used in this subsection is any living thing that is not human or a plant, and generally is capable of voluntary motion or sensation, and, the term "wild animal" includes, but is not limi...
Pet Limits
Kenosha caps ownership at three dogs, cats, or a combination of the two per household once the animals pass five months old, under Code of General Ordinances Section 14.013. Owners who already keep more may continue if properly licensed and vaccinated, and a Pet Fancier Permit allows up to five animals for a $35 annual fee, while service and therapy dogs never count toward the cap.
Kenosha Caps Pets at Three Per Home
Some RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 14.013(B), (D)
B.Limitation. No person may own, harbor or keep in their possession, within the City, more than three (3) dogs, cats or combination thereof, over the age of five (5) months, except when they possess a Kennel License which is in full force and effect. ... D.Pet Fancier Permit. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (B), it shall be lawful to keep up to five (5) dogs, cats or combination th...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Kenosha does not require dog or cat owners to spay or neuter their pets. Instead, City Code § 14.01 sets a lower license tax for altered pets: $15.00 for a neutered or spayed dog or cat versus $35.00 for one that isn't, effective July 1, 2013.
Kenosha's Altered-Pet License Fee Discount
Few RestrictionsKenosha, WI Code of General Ordinances § 14.01.A.3
For the license term commencing January 1, 2013, the dog license tax shall be ten dollars ($10.00) for a neutered male dog or spayed female dog, upon presentation of evidence that the dog is neutered or spayed, and twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for an unneutered male dog or unspayed female dog. Effective July 1, 2013, the dog license tax shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) for a neutered male or s...
Pet Store Rules
Kenosha does not ban retail sale of dogs and cats or require adoption-only sourcing. Section 14.015 of the Code of General Ordinances requires any kennel or pet shop to hold an annual $200 license from the Common Council, pass a Sanitarian inspection, and meet detailed facility, feeding and sanitation standards before it may operate.
Kenosha Licenses Kennels and Pet Shops
Some RestrictionsKenosha Code of General Ordinances § 14.015(A), (B)
Pet Shop means a retail or wholesale business offering for sale pet animals, excluding commercial kennels. ... B.License Required/Fee. It is unlawful for any person, party, firm or corporation to operate, keep or maintain within the City limits a kennel or pet shop without first having obtained a license from the City Common Council and being in compliance with all provisions of this Section. L...
Looking for Kenosha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kenosha city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Kenosha County →