Animal Ordinances in Sun Prairie, WI (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Sun Prairie lets homeowners keep hens, not roosters, but only after clearing two separate city approvals: a zoning special use permit and an annual chicken-keeping license from the city clerk. The cap is four hens per lot, and the coop has to sit in the rear yard, away from every property line.
Backyard Chicken Rules in Sun Prairie
Some RestrictionsSun Prairie Code of Ordinances §§ 6.04.055, 17.16.140(29)
The keeping of chickens in the City of Sun Prairie requires the granting of a special use permit per Section 17.16.140 ... a chicken-keeping license shall be obtained from the city clerk's office prior to the acquisition of any chickens. ... 29.Keeping of Chickens as a Residential Accessory Use. Description: The keeping of chickens as a residential accessory use includes the keeping of female c...
Dog Leash Laws
In the City of Sun Prairie, no dog, cat or other animal may run at large under Code § 6.04.060(C). Owners must keep animals tied, enclosed or leashed once off their own property, and any unlicensed animal caught loose can be seized and impounded by a police or humane officer.
Sun Prairie Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsSun Prairie Code of Ordinances § 6.04.060(C)
No person having in his or her possession or ownership any animal or fowl shall allow the same to run at large within the city. The owner of any animal, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall keep his or her animal tied or enclosed in a proper enclosure, i.e. fenced yard, kennel, electric fencing, so as not to allow such animal to interfere with the passing public or neighbors. Any animal runnin...
Breed Restrictions
Sun Prairie does not restrict dogs by breed; it instead declares a dog vicious based on behavior, biting two or more people or inflicting one serious unprovoked injury off the owner's property within any twelve-month period, and then requires that dog to be muzzled or leashed by an adult family member whenever it leaves home, under Code § 6.04.060(B).
Sun Prairie Vicious Dog Restraint Rules
Some RestrictionsSun Prairie Code of Ordinances § 6.04.060(B)
B.Vicious Dogs And Animals.1.No vicious dog shall be allowed off the premises of its owner unless muzzled or on a leash in charge of the owner or a member of the owner's immediate family over sixteen (16) years of age. For purposes of enforcing this section, a dog shall be deemed as being of a vicious disposition if, within any twelve (12) month period, it bites two or more persons or inflicts ...
Beekeeping
Beekeeping is a special use permitted in every zoning district in the City of Sun Prairie, not just rural lots. Section 17.16.140(28) caps a lot at four hives of no more than twenty cubic feet each, requires a five-foot setback from side and rear property lines, and mandates a flyway barrier at least six feet tall near any nearby property line.
Sun Prairie Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsSun Prairie Code of Ordinances § 17.16.140(28)
28.Keeping of Bees. Description: The keeping of honey bees land use includes the installation and maintenance of hives for the common domestic honey bee Apis mellifera species ... b.Special use regulations: ER-1, RH-35ac, SR-4, MR-8, UR-12, SO, NC, SC, UC, CC, SI, UI, HI, PD:i.Honey bee colonies shall be kept in hives with removable frames, which shall be kept in sound and usable condition.ii.N...
Exotic Pets
Sun Prairie outright bans keeping poisonous reptiles, big cats, bears, primates, wolves, coyotes and dozens of other dangerous or wild species within city limits under Code § 6.04.130(C). Narrow exceptions cover veterinarians, licensed pet shops, zoos and 4-H or agricultural exhibits.
Sun Prairie Ban on Dangerous Wild Animals
Heavy RestrictionsSun Prairie Code of Ordinances § 6.04.130(C)
It is unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or have in his or her possession or under his or her control within the city any poisonous reptile or any other dangerous or carnivorous wild animal, insect or reptile, any vicious or dangerous domesticated animal or any other animal or reptile of wild, vicious or dangerous propensities. Specifically, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep, m...
Pet Limits
Sun Prairie caps household pets at two dogs and two cats, or three animals of a single species, per residential unit under Code § 6.04.060(E). Anyone who wants to keep more must first license the property as a kennel through the city clerk's office.
Sun Prairie Household Pet Limit Rule
Some RestrictionsSun Prairie Code of Ordinances § 6.04.060(E)
E.Number of Dogs and Cats Limited. In order to protect the public health and public sanitation, no more than two dogs and two cats or three animals (three dogs or three cats) of any one of the two species, shall be kept in or upon one residential unit or by one or more persons constituting one residential unit, unless the premises be licensed as a kennel.
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sun Prairie city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Dane County →