Can You Own a Goat or Sheep in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, your local zoning laws or municipal code will determine whether or not you can own goats or sheep. Goats and sheep are permitted under Wisconsin State Law but local ordinances dictate where these animals can be kept. Commonly considered livestock or farm animals, goats and sheep are generally permitted in agricultural areas. While some Wisconsin municipalities allow for goats and sheep to be kept in residential areas, others prohibit them. Therefore, if your property is zoned as "residential," you need to check with your local code enforcement, zoning office, or animal control before keeping any goats or sheep on it. The following Wisconsin municipalities, for example, allow urban livestock keeping.

Village of Waukesha, WI

If you live in the Village of Waukesha, WI, you can own goats and/or sheep provided you meet the property size requirement. According to the Village's Zoning Code Sec. 42-34 (General use regulations), a lot of at least three acres is required for the keeping of female chickens and domestic livestock, including goats and sheep.

Janesville, WI

You can have backyard goats or sheep in Janesville, WI, provided you keep them 150 feet away from any residence, hotel, restaurant, retail food store, school, church, or hospital. However, you can keep your animals less than 150 feet from your own residence. This restriction also applies to the barn or enclosure in which you keep the animals. According to Janesville's municipal code, goats and sheep may be kept only when no nuisance is created thereby. All structures, pens, or yards wherein goats or sheep are kept or permitted should be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

New Berlin, WI

Goats and sheep are permitted in the A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, C-1, and C-2 Zoning Districts within New Berlin, Wisconsin, subject to certain requirements. According to New Berlin's Zoning Code, a minimum of 2 acres of land is required to keep goats and sheep in those districts. No more than 8 goats or 8 sheep are permitted per acre of land. Up to 12 pigmy or miniature goats are permitted per acre of land.

Menomonee Falls, WI

In Menomonee Falls, WI, goats and sheep are allowed as a "permitted-with-conditions" (PwC) use in the R1 and R2 zoning districts on properties of at least three acres. Up to 8 standard-sized goats or sheep are allowed per acre, according to the Village's zoning code. Up to 12 pygmy goats may be kept per acre.

Oak Creek, WI

A property of at least one acre is required for the keeping of goats and sheep in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. According to Oak Creek's Zoning Code 17.0402, no more than one sheep or goat over six months of age may be kept for each acre.

Manitowoc, WI

You can own goats or sheep in Manitowoc, WI, but not without first obtaining a permit to do so from the City. According to Manitowoc's animal regulations code, no person may bring into or keep within the City limits, either temporarily or otherwise, sheep or goats without the written permission of the Chief of Police.

Village of Mount Pleasant, WI

Goats and sheep are permitted in the RE and AG-1 Districts within the Village of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. According to the Village's Zoning Code, a maximum of one animal unit is allowed per acre of lot area in those zoning districts. FYI, one animal unit is equivalent to 2 goats or 2 sheep. In the RE district, stables and other animal confinement structures are required to be situated 50 feet from any residence. In the AG-1 district, the minimum setback requirement is 100 feet. The maintenance of proper sanitation is required for all goats and sheep kept in those districts.

Mequon, WI

A minimum lot size of 1.5 acres is required to keep goats and sheep in the R-1 to R-4 zoning districts within the City of Mequon, Wisconsin. According to the City's Zoning Code, one goat or sheep is allowed for 1.5 acres, and for every additional acre over 1.5 acres, one goat or sheep is allowed.