Animal Ordinances in Portage County, WI (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Portage County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
In the towns under Portage County zoning, residents of R1, R2, R3 and R5 districts may keep up to 12 egg-laying chickens or ducks, but no roosters, drakes or other fowl. Coops are capped at 120 square feet and 10 feet tall, must sit back 50 feet from property lines and 100 feet from neighboring homes, and commercial egg sales are barred.
Backyard Chicken Rules in Unincorporated Portage County
Some RestrictionsPortage County Code § 7.1.6(1)(a)19
19.Raising chickens and ducks in the R1, R2, R3, and R5 Residence Zoning Districts, provided the following requirements are met.a.Only egg laying chickens and ducks are allowed. (No guinea hens, turkeys, peacocks, and/or other chickens and/or fowl not used for egg laying purposes.)b.Roosters and/or Drakes are prohibited.c.Chickens / ducks shall be kept in a fully enclosed coop. The coop cannot ...
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Portage County, Wisconsin Code § 4.9.12 bars owners from letting any animal run at large, and the county defines restraint under § 4.9.3(21) as a leash, lead, or the owner's direct control. Owners stay liable for damage even if the animal escapes without fault, and a fence does not excuse the owner from liability.
Portage County Dog At-Large & Leash Law
Some RestrictionsPortage County Code §§ 4.9.3(21), 4.9.12(1)
(21)Restraint. Any animal secured by a leash, lead, or under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person's command, or within the real property limits of its owner. ... (1)No person owning any animal shall allow the same to run at large within the County. The owner or keeper shall be liable for all damages done by such animal while so at large, although he escapes without th...
Beekeeping
Portage County's zoning code lists beekeeping as a permitted use in the Exclusive Agricultural District (A1) and other agricultural districts covering most of the unincorporated county, with no separate hive-count or setback rule. The Single Family Residence District's use list does not include beekeeping among its permitted residential uses.
Beekeeping Allowed in Portage County Ag Districts
Few RestrictionsPortage County Code § 7.1.3(4)(a)1-3, (b)1
(4)Exclusive Agricultural District (A1).(a)Intent. It is the intent of this District to:1.Preserve productive farmlands, particularly where such lands exist in large blocks, including nonproductive lands, where necessary to maintain this strategy.2.Maintain agriculture as a major component of the County's economy.3.Minimize conflicts between farm and nonfarm activities. ( ... b)Uses. ... The fo...
Exotic Pets
In the unincorporated General Agricultural District (A4), Portage County Code § 7.1.6(2)(c)22 lists 'zoological centers, zoos, housing of exotic animals' as a Special Exception Use, meaning it needs written Board of Adjustment approval after a public hearing before anyone may keep or operate one.
Exotic Animal Housing Permit
Significant RestrictionsPortage County Code § 7.1.6(2)(c)22
(c)Special Exception Uses. The following uses are permitted upon proper application as provided in this section particularly items a. and b. of subparagraph 7.1.6(2)(a)2, only after such use shall have been approved in writing by the Board of Adjustment, after public hearing. ... 22.Zoological centers, zoos, housing of exotic animals.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Portage County doesn't mandate spaying or neutering for pets generally. Code § 4.9.16(2) only requires it for dogs and cats adopted from the county-designated pound or animal shelter, which must be altered in accordance with that facility's own policy as a condition of the adoption.
Portage County Shelter Spay/Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsPortage County Code § 4.9.16(2)
(2)Dogs and cats adopted from the county designated pound or animal shelter shall be spayed or neutered in accordance with the facilities policies.
Pet Store Rules
Portage County doesn't ban pet-shop sales outright but regulates them as a 'commercial animal establishment' under Code § 4.9.15: any pet shop, kennel, cattery or grooming shop must get an annual County Clerk permit, pass a humane-officer inspection, and keep detailed acquisition and disposition records.
Portage County Pet Shop Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsPortage County Code §§ 4.9.3(5), 4.9.15(1)-(2)
(5)Commercial animal establishment means any pet shop, grooming shop, kennel, cattery, riding stable, or animal exhibition, and shall exclude any pound operated by municipality, humane society animal shelter, or veterinary facility. ... (1)Any person who keeps or operates a commercial animal establishment shall annually, apply to the County Clerk for a permit for the keeping or operating of suc...
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