Can I keep chickens in Green Bay, WI?
Yes — Green Bay allows backyard chickens, up to 5 hens with a required permit/registration. Roosters are prohibited. (Green Bay Municipal Code Section 6-3 (License; Keeping of Hens), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Maximum hens | 5 |
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Coop rules | Hens only (no roosters). A structure exceeding 50 sq ft requires a building permit from the City Inspection Division. Only one license per parcel. |
| Code section | Green Bay Municipal Code Section 6-3 (License; Keeping of Hens) |
Green Bay permits residents to keep up to five hens (no roosters) under an annual license obtained from the City Clerk's Office once a hen reaches 20 weeks of age. A coop/structure larger than 50 sq ft requires a building permit. Detailed setback and slaughter provisions are in Code Section 6-3.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Green Bay?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Green Bay (Green Bay Municipal Code Section 6-3 (License; Keeping of Hens)).
How many chickens can I keep in Green Bay?
Up to 5 hens.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Green Bay?
Yes — Green Bay requires a permit or registration before keeping chickens.
Are roosters allowed in Green Bay?
No — roosters are prohibited in Green Bay.
What law covers backyard chickens in Green Bay?
Green Bay Municipal Code Section 6-3 (License; Keeping of Hens). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Green Bay Municipal Code Section 6-3 (License; Keeping of Hens) — read the official code
“For additional information view Green Bay code Section 6-3.” source
“Any person desiring to keep hens in a structure exceeding 50 square feet shall apply for a building permit from the City Inspection Division.” source
“This license allows you to keep up to five hens (no roosters) in compliance with the Green Bay Municipal Code.” source
“The owner of any hen more than 20 weeks of age shall annually, on or before the date the hen becomes 20 weeks of age, pay the hen license fee and obtain a license from the City Clerk's Office.” 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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