Can I keep chickens in Beloit, WI?
Yes — Beloit allows backyard chickens, up to 4 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 10 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Beloit Code of General Ordinances Sec. 7.244 (Chickens), Ch. 7 Property Maintenance Code (Cr. #3468), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 4 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop setback | 10 ft |
| Home slaughter | Not allowed |
| Coop rules | Coop and run in rear yard only; coop max 24 sq ft; chicken run max 40 sq ft (or 1% of rear yard, whichever greater, never over 100 sq ft); coop at least 10 ft from rear wall of dwelling, at least 10 ft from any lot line (3 ft if abutting an alley), and no part within 20 ft of any principal structure on adjacent property; predator-proof, sanitary; chickens confined to coop sunset-to-sunrise. |
| Code section | Beloit Code of General Ordinances Sec. 7.244 (Chickens), Ch. 7 Property Maintenance Code (Cr. #3468) |
Beloit allows any person to keep up to 4 female chickens (no roosters) on a residential lot with one single-family dwelling, under an annual residential chicken permit. The coop and run must be in the rear yard, capped at 24 sq ft (coop) and 40 sq ft (run), set back 10 ft from lot lines and the dwelling and 20 ft from adjacent principal structures; on-site slaughter is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Beloit?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Beloit (Beloit Code of General Ordinances Sec. 7.244 (Chickens), Ch. 7 Property Maintenance Code (Cr. #3468)).
How many chickens can I keep in Beloit?
Up to 4 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Beloit?
Yes — Beloit requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Beloit?
No — roosters are prohibited in Beloit.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Beloit?
10 feet minimum. Coop and run in rear yard only; coop max 24 sq ft; chicken run max 40 sq ft (or 1% of rear yard, whichever greater, never over 100 sq ft); coop at least 10 ft from rear wall of dwelling, at least 10 ft from any lot line (3 ft if abutting an alley), and no part within 20 ft of any principal structure on adjacent property; predator-proof, sanitary; chickens confined to coop sunset-to-sunrise.
Can I slaughter chickens at home in Beloit?
No — slaughter is not permitted under Beloit's code.
What law covers backyard chickens in Beloit?
Beloit Code of General Ordinances Sec. 7.244 (Chickens), Ch. 7 Property Maintenance Code (Cr. #3468). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Beloit Code of General Ordinances Sec. 7.244 (Chickens), Ch. 7 Property Maintenance Code (Cr. #3468) — read the official code
“A newly built or installed coop cannot exceed 24 square feet in size.” source
“Any person may keep up to 4 female chickens on any residential zoning lot in the City which contains one single-family residential dwelling unit.” source
“No person shall keep any chickens nor construct any coop or chicken run without first obtaining an annual residential chicken permit hereunder.” source
“No roosters shall be allowed to be kept under this section.” 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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