Animal Ordinances in Middleton, WI (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Middleton, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Keeping backyard chickens in Middleton requires a Building Inspector permit under Municipal Code § 7.21. Parcels up to a half acre may keep up to six hens, larger lots up to eight, and roosters or crowing hens are banned outright. Coops must sit at least twenty-five feet from the nearest neighboring dwelling, and a permit is revoked after three violations in a year.
Backyard Chicken Permit Rules Middleton
Some RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 7.21
No person shall keep any live chicken in the City of Middleton without a valid permit issued under, and in accordance with the regulations set forth in, this Section. ... For parcels up to 1/2 acre, up to six (6) hens may be kept. For parcels greater than 1/2 acre, up to eight (8) hens may be kept. ... Roosters and crowing hens are prohibited. ... 2.Be located no closer than twenty-five (25) fe...
Dog Leash Laws
Middleton makes it unlawful for an owner or keeper to let a dog or cat run at large anywhere in the City. Under Section 7.07(2), an animal counts as at large unless it is on a chain, rope or harness strong enough to control it, or confined on the owner's own property.
Middleton Dogs and Cats At-Large Ban
Some RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 7.07(2)
(2)Dogs and Cats Shall Not Run at Large It is unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog or cat to permit the same to run at large in the City. A dog or cat shall be deemed to be at large unless under the control of a person by means of a chain, rope or harness of sufficient strength to control the action of such dog or cat, or confined on the premises of the owner or keeper.
Beekeeping
City of Middleton allows residential beekeeping under Zoning Code Section 10.03.28(22), capping a property at six hives of no more than 20 cubic feet each. Hives must sit at least three feet from neighboring property lines and clear a flyway barrier if within 25 feet of a lot line, keeping bee flight paths above neighboring yards.
Residential Beekeeping Rules in Middleton, WI
Some RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 10.03.28(22)
(22)Residential Apiary The assembly of one (1) or more colonies of honey bees. (a)No bees shall be intentionally kept and maintained other than honey bees.(b)No more than six (6) hives may be kept on a single parcel and no hive shall exceed twenty (20) cubic feet in volume.(c)No hive shall be located closer than three (3) feet from any property line in different ownership.(d)No hive shall be lo...
Exotic Pets
Middleton bans keeping, harboring, or possessing any poisonous reptile (except rear-fanged snakes) or any other wild, vicious, or dangerous animal, insect, or reptile within city limits under Municipal Code § 16.03(18)(a). The ordinance names dozens of examples, from nonhuman primates and wolves to hyenas, raccoons, and pythons over ten feet, and lets an owner petition the Common Council for a $30 exemption.
Wild Animal Ban in Middleton, WI
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 16.03(18)
(18)Keeping of Wild Animals Prohibited(a)No person shall keep, harbor, possess or maintain any poisonous reptile, not including rear-fanged snakes, any other dangerous or carnivorous wild animal, insect or reptile or any other animal or reptile species of wild, vicious or dangerous propensities within the City of Middleton. Such animals include, but are not limited to:1.Nonhuman primates and pr...
Wildlife Feeding
Middleton makes it unlawful to place salt, mineral, grain, fruit or vegetable matter outdoors anywhere in the City for the purpose of feeding whitetail deer. Placing more than half a gallon of such material within six feet of the ground, or in any feeder regardless of height, is presumed to be illegal deer feeding. Hunting bait, natural growth, bird feeders and Council-authorized feeding are excepted.
Feeding Deer Ban in Middleton, WI
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 16.05(15)
No person may place any salt, mineral, grain, fruit or vegetable matter outdoors on any public or private property for the purpose of feeding whitetail deer. ... There shall be a rebuttable presumption that either of the following acts is for the purpose of feeding whitetail deer: a.The placement of salt, mineral, grain, fruit or vegetable material in aggregate quantity of greater than 1/2 gall...
Pet Limits
Middleton caps the number of cats and dogs any household may keep at five, in any combination, per premises. The Common Council adopted the numeric cap because case-by-case nuisance enforcement was not stopping the noise and odor problems that come with large numbers of pets. Puppies and kittens under five months, service animals, and licensed kennels or shelters are exempted.
Cat and Dog Limit in Middleton, WI
Some RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 16.05(17)
No person shall harbor, shelter or possess more than five (5) dogs or cats or any combination thereof upon a single premises. ... The above Subsection shall not apply to the following presuming compliance with any applicable zoning or licensing provisions of the City of Middleton, Dane County or State of Wisconsin: 1.Dogs and cats under the age of five (5) months.2.Service Animals as that term ...
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Middleton city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Dane County →