Can I keep chickens in Appleton, WI?
Yes — Appleton allows backyard chickens, up to 6 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 25 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 3-52 (Chicken Keeping), Rules & Regulations adopted under Sec. 7-28 (rev. 7-26-18), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 6 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 25 ft |
| Home slaughter | Allowed with restrictions |
| Coop rules | Hens only (no roosters or other fowl). Single- or two-family dwellings only; not on vacant lots or inside dwellings. Coop in rear yard; >=2 sq ft per bird; max height 8 ft; run enclosed with wire netting, max 100 sq ft; hard cleanable floor (no dirt); moisture-resistant. Setbacks: >=3 ft from side/rear lot lines, >=10 ft from structures on the parcel, and >=25 ft from any residential dwelling, church, school or business on an abutting lot. |
| Code section | Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 3-52 (Chicken Keeping), Rules & Regulations adopted under Sec. 7-28 (rev. 7-26-18) |
Appleton allows up to 6 hens (no roosters or other fowl) on single- or two-family dwellings under an annual Health Department permit; commercial/mixed-use properties are excluded. Coops must sit in the rear yard, at least 25 ft from any residential dwelling/church/school/business on an abutting lot, with a max 100 sq ft run. On-site culling (slaughter) of permitted chickens is allowed, but off-site egg sales are prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Appleton?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Appleton (Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 3-52 (Chicken Keeping), Rules & Regulations adopted under Sec. 7-28 (rev. 7-26-18)).
How many chickens can I keep in Appleton?
Up to 6 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Appleton?
Yes — Appleton requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Appleton?
No — roosters are prohibited in Appleton.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Appleton?
25 feet minimum. Hens only (no roosters or other fowl). Single- or two-family dwellings only; not on vacant lots or inside dwellings. Coop in rear yard; >=2 sq ft per bird; max height 8 ft; run enclosed with wire netting, max 100 sq ft; hard cleanable floor (no dirt); moisture-resistant. Setbacks: >=3 ft from side/rear lot lines, >=10 ft from structures on the parcel, and >=25 ft from any residential dwelling, church, school or business on an abutting lot.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Appleton?
Yes, with restrictions — see the city's rules in Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 3-52 (Chicken Keeping), Rules & Regulations adopted under Sec. 7-28 (rev. 7-26-18).
What law covers backyard chickens in Appleton?
Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 3-52 (Chicken Keeping), Rules & Regulations adopted under Sec. 7-28 (rev. 7-26-18). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 3-52 (Chicken Keeping), Rules & Regulations adopted under Sec. 7-28 (rev. 7-26-18) — read the official code
“CHICKEN KEEPING RULES AND REGULATIONS Incorporated into Sec. 3-52 and adopted pursuant to Sec. 7-28, Appleton Municipal Code Revised July 2018” source
“The coop's structural floor area shall be no less than two (2) square feet per bird, and the height of the coop shall not exceed eight (8) linear feet ... The chicken run enclosure shall be limited to a maximum of 100 square feet.” source
“The keeping of up to 6 chickens, with a permit is allowed on single family or two family dwellings only. Permits will not be allowed on commercial or mixed-use occupancies.” source
“Persons desiring to keep chickens within the City of Appleton shall obtain an annual permit from the Health Department.” source
Last verified June 13, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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