2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
November 27, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Sortwell, Bodden, Behnke,
Gustafson, S. Johnson, Magnafici, Moses, Penterman, Rozar, Schmidt and
Tittl, cosponsored by Senators Taylor and Cabral-Guevara. Referred to
Committee on Sporting Heritage.
AB685,1,1
1An Act to create 66.0442 of the statutes;
relating to: local regulation of fowl.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill prohibits political subdivisions and sewerage districts from
prohibiting the keeping of up to four chickens, ducks, geese, quail, or guinea fowl
(fowl) by property owners or certain lessors on properties zoned for residential use.
The bill specifically allows political subdivisions and sewerage districts to do any of
the following with regard to the keeping of fowl:
1. Require a keeper of fowl to obtain a permit.
2. Require notification of adjoining land owners.
3. Impose reasonable regulations related to the location of fowl housing on a
property.
4. Prohibit the keeping of roosters.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB685,1
2Section
1. 66.0442 of the statutes is created to read:
AB685,1,3
366.0442 Local regulation of fowl.
(1) In this section:
AB685,1,44
(a) “Fowl” means chickens, ducks, geese, quail, or guinea fowl.
AB685,1,65
(b) “Local governmental unit” means a city, village, town, county, or sewerage
6district.
AB685,2,2
1(2) No local governmental unit may prohibit the keeping of 4 or fewer fowl by
2any of the following on a property zoned for residential use:
AB685,2,33
(a) The owner of the property.
AB685,2,44
(b) A lessor of the property if the property is owner-occupied.
AB685,2,6
5(3) Notwithstanding sub. (2), a local governmental unit may do any of the
6following with regard to the keeping of fowl:
AB685,2,77
(a) Require a keeper of fowl to obtain a permit.
AB685,2,98
(b) Require notification of owners of properties adjoining the property on which
9fowl are to be kept.
AB685,2,1110
(c) Impose reasonable regulations related to the location of fowl housing on a
11property.
AB685,2,1212
(d) Prohibit the keeping of roosters.
