Animal Ordinances in Waukesha, WI (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Waukesha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Waukesha allows permitted backyard chickens only, capped at four per parcel (six on lots over an acre), bans roosters, and requires enclosed coops set back 25 feet from neighboring homes; pigs and goats are limited to specific licensed breeds.
Backyard Chickens & Livestock Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 33.07
Keeping Certain Fowl Prohibited. The keeping of Fowl, except Chickens, is prohibited in the City of Waukesha. The only Fowl that may be kept in the City of Waukesha is Chickens, subject to the requirements of this Section... ... No more than four Chickens may be Kept per Parcel, except that six chickens may be Kept on Parcels greater than one acre in area... ... Keeping of roosters is prohibite...
Dog Leash Laws
Waukesha requires owners to keep dogs under physical control at all times off their own property; a dog is deemed running at large unless leashed or confined, and dogs are barred from park land except leashed, in designated dog parks, or in signed areas.
Dog Leash & Running-at-Large Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 33.01
RUNNING AT LARGE. The owner or keeper of any animal regulated in this chapter shall prevent the animal from running at large in any part of the city. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, an animal is considered "running at large" if it is off the premises of the owner or keeper and is not under the physical control of the owner or keeper. A dog is not considered to be running at large if ...
Beekeeping
Waukesha requires a two-year Community Development Department permit for every beekeeping location, caps hive counts by parcel size, and confines hives to rear yards at least 10 feet from any property line unless waived in writing.
Beekeeping Permit Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 33.04
MAXIMUM NUMBERS OF HIVES ALLOWED. No person shall keep more than the following numbers of Hives in the City: Parcels one-quarter acre or less, two Hives. Parcels larger than one-quarter acre but no larger than one-half acre, four Hives. Parcels larger than one-half acre but no larger than one acre, six Hives. Parcels larger than one acre, eight Hives. Regardless of parcel size, if all Hives are...
Exotic Pets
Waukesha bans keeping poisonous or constrictor snakes, non-human primates, big cats, bears, wolves, coyotes, hyenas, alligators and other named wild or dangerous species as pets, with narrow exceptions for licensed pet shops, zoos, schools and permitted shows.
Wild & Exotic Animal Ban in Waukesha
Heavy RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 33.01
WILD AND EXOTIC ANIMALS PROHIBITED. No person shall keep, maintain or have in such person's possession or under such person's control any poisonous reptile, dangerous or wild animal or insect including, but not limited to, poisonous insects and arachnids, all poisonous snakes, constrictor snakes, non-human primates, bears, crocodiles, alligators, coyotes, elephants, gamecocks and other fighting...
Pet Limits
Waukesha caps dogs over 3 months at two per dwelling unit, cats over 6 months at two per household, and limits any combined mix of cats, dogs, pot-bellied pigs and Nigerian Dwarf goats to four animals total per dwelling.
Pet Limits Per Household in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code §§ 33.01, 33.02
No more than 2 dogs over the age of 3 months shall be kept in any dwelling unit in the City. ... MAXIMUM ANIMALS PER DWELLING UNIT. No person shall keep or maintain a combined total of more than four cats, dogs, Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs or Nigerian dwarf goats in any dwelling unit in the City, subject to the provisions of sections 33.02(4) and 33.03(1).
Cat Rules
Waukesha caps household cats at two over 6 months old and requires an annual license once a cat turns 5 months, obtained the same way the state requires dog licensing; running-at-large and waste rules also apply to cats.
Cat Licensing & Limits in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 33.03
No person shall keep or maintain more than 2 cats over the age of 6 months in any household in the City. Every owner of a cat more than 5 months of age on January 1 of any year or 5 months of age within the license year shall annually or on or before the date the cat becomes 5 months of age pay a cat license fee and obtain a license in the same manner as is provided for the licensing of dogs un...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Waukesha does not require dogs or cats to be spayed or neutered, but the only pig breed residents may keep, the Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig, must be spayed or neutered before the owner can obtain the required city license. The rule sits in Municipal Code §33.05, alongside a two-pig-per-dwelling cap and dog-style licensing.
Pot-Bellied Pig Spay/Neuter Law in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 33.05
No person may keep a pig in the City of Waukesha except for the species commonly known as a Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig. A person keeping Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs in the City must comply with the following requirements: Every owner of a Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig shall pay a license fee and obtain a license in the same manner as is provided for the licensing of dogs under §§174.05 and 174.07,...
Pet Store Rules
Waukesha bans retail pet stores from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits anywhere in the city. Adopted as Ordinance 2022-7 to discourage large-scale commercial breeding, Municipal Code §33.06 still lets stores host adoption events for animals supplied by shelters or nonprofit rescues at no charge; only sales for consideration are prohibited.
Pet Store Sale Ban on Cats, Dogs in Waukesha
Heavy RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code § 33.06
f. Retailer means any individual or entity holding a seller's permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. It does not include any Animal Care Facility or Animal Rescue Organization. ... 3. ... Prohibition of the Sale of Cats, Dogs, and Rabbits. No Retailer having a retail place of business in the City of Waukesha shall Sell Cats, Dogs, or Rabbits in the City of Waukesha. This section ...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Waukesha allows animal hospitals, veterinary services, and animal boarding as a permitted principal use in its B-5 Community Business District under Municipal Code Sec. 22.37, but boarding cannot sit adjacent to a residential district. The use is not listed as permitted in any of the City's residential districts.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules in Waukesha
Some RestrictionsWaukesha Municipal Code Sec. 22.37
PURPOSE. To provide for the orderly and attractive grouping at appropriate locations along principle highway routes and through highways of those businesses and customer services which are logically related and dependent upon highway traffic or which are specifically designated to serve the needs of such traffic. PERMITTED PRINCIPAL USES. a. Animal hospitals, veterinary services, and boarding o...
Looking for Waukesha County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukesha city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Waukesha County →