Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: February 13, 2024 Contact: Rachel E. Letzing, Deputy Director
2023 Assembly Bill 685 Assembly Amendment 1
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 685
2023 Assembly Bill 685 provides that a local governmental unit may not prohibit a property owner or a
lessor of property that is owner-occupied from keeping four or fewer chickens, ducks, geese, quail, or
guinea fowl on a property zoned for residential use.
Notwithstanding this prohibition, the bill specifies that a local governmental unit may do all of the
following: (1) require the person keeping the fowl to obtain a permit; (2) require notification of owners
of adjoining property where the fowl are to be kept; (3) impose reasonable regulations related to the
location of the fowl housing on a property; and (4) prohibit keeping roosters.
ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1
Assembly Amendment 1 makes the following changes to the bill:
Removes geese and guinea fowl, so that the bill only applies to keeping chickens, ducks, or quail.
In addition to the four conditions provided in the bill, also authorizes a local governmental unit to:
(1) prohibit any keeping of chickens, ducks, or quail that is inconsistent with a condominium’s
declarations, bylaws, and rules; and (2) impose reasonable cleanliness standards.
BILL HISTORY
Representative Sortwell offered Assembly Amendment 1 on February 1, 2024. On February 7, 2004, the
Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage recommended adoption of the amendment on a vote of
Ayes, 8; Noes, 2; and recommended passage of the bill, as amended, on a vote of Ayes, 6; Noes, 4.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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