Animal Ordinances in Jefferson County, WI (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Jefferson County allows up to five hens, no roosters, as a residential accessory use on a lot with an existing single-family home. The enclosure must meet zoning setbacks, and any coop structure over 100 square feet needs a zoning and land use permit.
Jefferson County Backyard Chicken Rules
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Code § 22-7
(2)Keeping of chickens. Residential accessory uses and buildings allow up to five chickens (hens) to be kept on land with an existing single-family residence where the minimum following standards are met and in zoning districts where residential accessory uses are listed (note: raising/keeping of farm animals is defined separately and not included under this definition):a.Hens only; no roosters...
Dog Leash Laws
Jefferson County Code § 14-119 makes it a violation for a dog to run loose off its owner's property without control, or to go outdoors without a current license tag on its collar. County-designated animal control officers can capture and hold any dog found running at large or untagged in the unincorporated towns.
Jefferson County Dogs Running at Large Law
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Code § 14-119
(b)A dog is considered to be running at large if it is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner or some other person. A dog is considered to be untagged if a valid license tag is not attached to a collar which is kept on the dog whenever the dog is outdoors unless the dog is securely confined in a fenced area. Designated animal control officers shall capture and rest...
Cat Rules
Jefferson County does not license cats the way it licenses dogs, but Code § 14-139(b) still makes a cat's owner responsible for reporting any bite: an owner whose cat bites someone outside the immediate family must report the incident to the county sheriff.
Jefferson County Cat Bite Reporting Duty
Light RestrictionsJefferson County Code § 14-139(b)
The owner of any dog or cat which bites any person other than the owner or the owner's immediate family shall make a report of the bite incident to the county sheriff, giving the date, place and name of the dog or cat bite victim. The owner shall make such report immediately upon gaining personal knowledge of such bite, or immediately after receiving reliable information of such bite from the s...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In the A-2 Agricultural and Rural Business District under Jefferson County zoning, a kennel, veterinarian facility or animal hospital is allowed only as a conditional use. That means a public hearing and planning and zoning committee approval before the facility can operate, not an automatic zoning and land use permit.
Jefferson County Veterinary Facility Zoning Rule
Significant RestrictionsJefferson County Code § 22-307
Conditional uses in the A-2 Agricultural and Rural Business District are as follows: ... (24)Kennel, veterinarian facility, animal hospital.
All Jefferson County ordinances
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