Bill > AB42

This bill establishes statewide regulations for keeping chickens or quail (referred to as "fowl") on residential properties in Wisconsin. Specifically, the bill prohibits local government units (such as cities, villages, towns, counties, and sewerage districts) from banning property owners or owner-occupant lessors from keeping up to four fowl on residential-zoned properties. While preventing an outright ban, the bill does allow local governmental units to implement certain reasonable restrictions, including requiring permits, mandating notification of neighboring property owners, regulating the location of fowl housing, prohibiting roosters, and establishing cleanliness standards. The bill also notes that for condominium properties, the condominium's own declarations, bylaws, and rules can still restrict fowl keeping. This legislation aims to provide homeowners with more flexibility in keeping a small number of chickens or quail while still giving local governments some regulatory authority to address potential nuisance or health concerns.

Government Affairs

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab42