Are Chickens Allowed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?

Yes — under Milwaukee city code, backyard chickens are allowed, but there are specific limits and rules you must follow. Whether you’re thinking of keeping hens for eggs or just want a few backyard friends, here’s a full breakdown of what the law permits, what the restrictions are, and what steps you’ll need to take to do it legally.

Milwaukee’s Chicken Keeping Laws: What’s Allowed

  • You are allowed to keep up to 4 chickens on a residential property in Milwaukee, with a permit.
  • Roosters are not allowed. Only hens (non-crowing chickens) are permitted.
  • No chicken slaughtering is permitted on residential premises.

Coop & Enclosure Requirements

Design, Size & Location

  • The chicken coop must be built in a workmanlike manner, moisture-resistant, and either raised off the ground or placed on a hard surface like concrete, patio block, or gravel.
  • Coops and yards (the run or enclosure) cannot have standing water.
  • The coop + enclosure together must provide at least 16 square feet per chicken. Fenced enclosure space can count toward this minimum.
  • The coop cannot exceed 50 square feet in footprint and cannot be taller than 10 feet.
  • Setback requirements: The enclosure must be at least 25 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent property. Also, coops/enclosures may not be located in the front yard of a dwelling.

Care & Maintenance Rules

  • Your chickens must have fresh water, proper feed, and be kept in a sanitary coop/enclosure at all times.
  • The coop and enclosure must be cleaned regularly so as to prevent odors, waste accumulation, rodents, or other nuisances.
  • Coops or chicken areas cannot cause a public health threat or otherwise interfere with other rights (noise, smell, pests).

Permits & Process

  • You must apply for a permit to keep chickens — typically a one-time permit with a fee (about $35.56) for the chicken coop site plan.
  • Permit application requires submitting a “Chicken Coop Site Plan Form (DNS-362)” to the Department of Neighborhood Services.
  • As part of the permit process, all property owners of adjacent properties (directly or diagonally abutting, including across alleys) will be notified and have opportunity to raise concerns.
  • Milwaukee has provision for waiving the permit fee under economic hardship, to reduce barriers.

What’s NOT Allowed

  • Roosters (crowing fowl) are forbidden.
  • Slaughtering chickens on residential property is not allowed.
  • Coops in front yard are not allowed.
  • Enclosures cannot encroach too close to neighboring residences (must meet the 25 ft setback).

Recent Changes & Additional Context

In late 2024, the City of Milwaukee passed a waiver so that residents who declare economic hardship may have the chicken coop permit fee waived. This helps reduce barriers for people who want to keep backyard chickens and may find the fee burdensome.

The four-chicken rule and the other provisions have been in place since about 2011.

Questions to Ask / Things to Check for Your Specific Property

  • Is your property in a purely residential zone, and not mixed-use or commercial? Mixed-use/commercial properties cannot get the chicken permit.
  • Do you have enough space for the coop/enclosure to meet the setback (25 feet) from adjacent homes? If not, neighbor consent or adjustments may be needed.
  • Is your yard layout such that coop placement won’t be in the front yard? Front yard coops are disallowed.
  • Are you okay with permit paperwork, notification of neighbors, and a one-time fee (unless waived)?
  • Are you committed to keeping things clean so the chickens don’t become a nuisance? Odor, pests, runoff – those are real concerns that can trigger complaints or permit revocation.

Summary

In short: yes, chickens are allowed in Milwaukee, with a permit. You can have up to 4 hens, no roosters, must build a coop + enclosure according to city rules (size, location, construction), pay the permit fee (or ask for a waiver if needed), and meet setback and maintenance requirements. If you follow all the rules, keeping chickens in your backyard in Milwaukee is legal.

If you like, I can look up the exact ordinance section for your address in Milwaukee (or your ZIP), so you can see if there are any local neighborhood overlays or exceptions that might apply. Do you want me to pull that up?