Animal Ordinances in Waukesha County, WI (2026)
9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Waukesha County allows up to five hens (no roosters) on lots of at least one acre, but lots under three acres must register with the Planning and Zoning Division, and every flock is limited to noncommercial, personal use under Sec. 3.21.
Backyard Chicken Rules in Waukesha County
Some RestrictionsWaukesha County Basic Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.21(3)-(5)
(3) Lot size: Chickens kept for the purpose and intent of this section are allowed on any lot a minimum of one (1) acre in size or larger provided all of the dimensional provisions of the Ordinance are met. All lands utilized for the keeping of chickens must be under the same ownership; leasing of adjacent lands is prohibited. (4) Number and type of recreational chickens allowed: Up to five (5)...
Dog Leash Laws
Wisconsin has no statewide leash mandate, but state law makes any dog off its owner's premises and not under control a dog 'running at large,' subject to capture and impoundment. Each Waukesha County town, city, and village sets the actual leash rule; fines run $25-$100 first offense.
Dog leash and running-at-large rules in Waukesha County
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. 174.042(1)(a)
Except as provided in par. (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.
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Waukesha County does not ban any dog breed. Instead, under Sec. 14-453 through 14-459 of the County Code, the Administrative Officer investigates bite and attack incidents and can declare a specific animal "Dangerous" or "Prohibited Dangerous," triggering enclosure, muzzling, insurance and microchip requirements or a countywide ban.
Dangerous Dog Declaration Rules in Waukesha County
Significant RestrictionsWaukesha County Code Sec. 14-457(a)-(b)
(a) An Owner of an animal declared to be a Dangerous Animal shall meet the following conditions: 1. Any animal declared to be a Dangerous Animal shall be confined in a secure enclosure while on the premises of the Owner. 2. No Dangerous Animal shall be allowed off the premises of the Owner unless such animal remains: i. Inside a secure animal carrier; or ii. Under the Direct Control of such Own...
Beekeeping
The Basic Zoning Ordinance classifies beekeeping as an "Agricultural or Farm Use," so it is permitted only where agriculture is allowed at all: the A-1 Agricultural District and, through it, the R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential districts, and only once a lot reaches the size threshold set for agricultural uses generally.
Beekeeping Rules in Unincorporated Waukesha County
Some RestrictionsWaukesha County Basic Zoning Ordinance §§ 2.02(13)(A), 7.01(3)
Agricultural or Farm Use: Any of the following uses: (A) Any of the following activities: 1. Crop or forage production. 2. Keeping livestock, horses and poultry. 3. Beekeeping. ... Agricultural or Farm Uses. Such uses, as defined and listed in Section 2.02(13)(A) of this Ordinance, shall be permitted in accordance with the following standards ... For lots between 20,000 square feet and three ac...
Exotic Pets
Wisconsin restricts dangerous exotic and wild animals at the state level. Under Wis. Stat. 169.11, no one may possess a designated 'harmful wild animal', including cougars, bears, and wild swine, without department authorization. Waukesha County municipalities may add their own bans on other exotics, so check local code too.
Exotic and wild pets in Waukesha County
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. 169.11(1)(b)
No person may possess, take, propagate, sell, purchase, transfer, exhibit, or rehabilitate a live harmful wild animal unless specifically authorized to do so by the department.
Pet Limits
Animal hoarding is addressed through Wisconsin's animal-cruelty and neglect statutes plus local pet-limit and kennel rules. Wis. Stat. 951.02 bars treating any animal cruelly, and related sections require proper food, water, and shelter. Waukesha County agencies and humane societies (HAWS, EBHS) investigate cruelty and neglect; violations can be criminal.
Animal hoarding and neglect in Waukesha County
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. 951.02
No person may treat any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner.
Cat Rules
Wisconsin's dog-licensing statute does not require cats to be licensed statewide, so cat rules in Waukesha County are municipal. Some communities require cat licensing, rabies vaccination, or restrict free-roaming cats; others do not. Cats are protected from cruelty statewide, and rabies vaccination is widely required for pets.
Cat rules and licensing in Waukesha County
Some RestrictionsWis. Stat. 951.02
No person may treat any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In unincorporated Waukesha County towns, animal hospitals, veterinarian clinics and commercial kennels need a conditional use permit in every zoning district except C-1 Conservancy and EC Environmental Corridor, under Basic Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.08(7)(D). Clinics without a kennel are permitted by right in Agricultural Business and business districts.
Veterinary Clinics & Kennels: Waukesha County Zoning
Significant RestrictionsWaukesha County Basic Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3.08(7)(D)
(D) Animal Hospitals, Veterinarian Clinics, Commercial Kennels: In any District, except C-1 and EC Environmental Corridor Overlay Districts. However, animal hospitals and veterinarian clinics shall be Permitted Uses by right in the A-B Agricultural Business Districts and business districts as long as such facilities do not include the operation of a Commercial Kennel. In the FLP and FLC Distric...
Bird Protection
Waukesha County protects wildlife inside its parks by banning any disturbance of a bird's nest. Sec. 14-158(c) makes it unlawful to take, catch, kill, hunt, trap, pursue or otherwise disturb any wild animal, or to rob or disturb the nest of any bird, in a county park unless the Department of Parks and Land Use authorizes it.
Bird Nest Protection in Waukesha County Parks
Significant RestrictionsWaukesha County Code § 14-158(c),(g)-(h)
(c) No person shall take, catch, kill, hunt, trap, pursue or otherwise disturb any wild animals or rob or disturb the nest of any bird in any park unless authorized by the department. ... (g) Permanent blinds and stands are not permitted. All stands and blinds must be removed at the close of each day. The damaging of trees or removal of vegetation is prohibited. (h) Target practice or shooting ...
Animal Ordinances by City in Waukesha County
1 cities in Waukesha County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Waukesha County ordinances
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