Winnebago County, WI Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed wire
- prohibited except industrial/livestock
- Electric fencing
- prohibited except to contain livestock
- Street-yard opacity cap
- 50 percent maximum
- Snow fences
- wood or plastic, temporary only
Summary
Winnebago County's Chapter 23 zoning code bans barbed wire and electric fencing on residential parcels except for containing livestock, and requires other fence materials be common construction materials, not prohibited types.
(j) Barbed wire fencing. Barbed wire fencing is prohibited except as follows:
(1) Three or fewer courses of barbed wire may be installed above the top line of a 6-foot high chain link fence when located in an industrial zoning district.
(2) Barbed wire may be used to contain livestock as may be allowed in the zoning district.
(3) The zoning administrator may allow a fence with barbed wire when placed around a utility installation, telecommunication tower, or similar facility when required for security or elated purposes.
(k) Electric fencing. An electric fence is prohibited except when used to contain livestock as may be allowed in the zoning district.
(l) Maintenance. A fence shall be maintained in a structurally sound manner.
(m) Zoning permit exemption. Two sections of fencing no longer than eight feet per section or up to two stand- alone arbors which meet the standards of s.23.8-456(c)(6) shall be allowed in any residential district without a zoning permit, so long as each meets the height, setback, and opacity requirements of the underlying zoning district.
(n) Exemption for agricultural fences. Fences for the containment of livestock on agriculturally zoned properties or where a conditional use has been granted to allow livestock in an alternative zoning district, shall be exempt from the
Full Breakdown
Section 23.8-456(j) bans barbed wire fencing except for up to three courses above a 6-foot chain-link fence in an industrial district, to contain livestock where allowed, or around a utility or telecommunication facility for security. Section 23.8-456(k) bans electric fencing outright except to contain livestock where allowed. General construction standards in (c)(4) require a fence be built of materials commonly used for fence construction in the region, cap street-yard opacity at 50 percent, and limit temporary snow fences to wood or plastic. These rules only bind towns that adopted the county's Chapter 23 zoning under Wis. Stat. § 59.69.
Violations & Fines
The same § 23.14-9 forfeiture applies, $300 by citation plus court costs, or $200 if the violation is an unpermitted fence, with jail time possible for unpaid forfeitures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put barbed wire on my fence in Winnebago County?
Are electric fences allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin fence regulations overview
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