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Pet Licenses
Pet Licensing
All domesticated animals (dogs, cats, potbellied pigs, and ferrets) are required by City ordinance to be licensed. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are also required to be vaccinated against rabies.
Licenses expire annually on December 31st and must be purchased each calendar year. Any license renewed after March 31st will be assessed a $5 late fee (new animals licensed within 30 days are exempt).
Licenses may be purchased in a number of ways (see below). Be sure to include copies of ALL necessary information, including Rabies Certificate and Proof of Spay/Neuter (if applicable), as well as your form of payment. This information may be:
- Apply online by clicking the following link: Pet License Application
- In Person at City Hall to the Department of Customer Service, 730 Washington Avenue Room 103, Racine, WI 53403. Cash, check, and credit card (service fee applies) are accepted in person.
- Mail to the Department of Customer Service, 730 Washington Avenue Room 103, Racine, WI 53403. Include a check with the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Sec. 10-36 of the Racine Municipal Code requires that domesticated animals (dogs, cats, potbellied pigs, and ferrets) be licensed.
- It helps to identify your pet in the event it is lost.
- To keep official records of your pet’s rabies vaccinations.
Dogs and Cats
- Neutered/Spayed: $15 each
- Non-neutered/Spayed: $40 each
Potbellied Pigs
- Must be neutered/spayed: $15 each
Ferrets
- Neutered/Spayed or non-neutered/spayed: $15 each
A person is allowed to keep three (3) domesticated animals in a single-family residence, and two (2) domesticated animals per unit of a multiple-family residence. If you live in a single-family residence and have more than three (3) animals, you are required to obtain a Pet Fancier’s Permit.
Note: Only one potbellied pig is allowed, regardless of residence or license type.
Section 10-92 of the Code, states that “’run at large,’ means the presence of the animal at any place except upon the property of the owner unless the animal:
- Is on a leash held by a person physically able to control the animal; or
- Is controlled and contained by a person physically able to control the animal; or
- Is on private property with permission of the owner of the property.”
Stated otherwise, Racine’s local law requires either a leash with control or the ability to restrain (verbal or otherwise) with control.
Pet Fanciers Permits
A person is allowed to keep three (3) domesticated animals in a single-family residence, and two (2) domesticated animals per unit of a multiple-family residence. If you live in a single-family residence and have more than three (3) animals you are required to obtain a Pet Fancier’s Permit. This permit allows you to keep up to seven (7) animals (dogs, cats, ferrets, potbellied pigs). Residents of a multiple-family residence may not obtain a pet fancier permit. City of Racine Municipal Code, Sec. 10-40 addresses the requirements and limitations of a Pet Fancier’s permit.
Note: Only one potbellied pig is allowed, regardless of residence or license type.
Frequently Asked Questions
A new permit, which expires December 31st, must be purchased each calendar year. Any permit renewed after March 31st will be assessed a late fee. (Please Note: each pet will be assessed a late fee if renewed after March 31st.
Note: Permits must be submitted and processed before the last business day in March to avoid the late fee.
Pet Fancier Permit $30
Note: Individual Animals must also be individually permitted.
All domesticated Animals (Up to 7)
Chicken Permits
Any individual wishing to keep chickens within the City limits must apply for a permit. Requirements and guidelines for the keeping of chickens within the City are specified in Racine Municipal Code, Section 10-6 Urban Chickens.
Applicants must first apply for and receive a permit from the Building Department. Contact the Building Department at 262-636-9464 for more information.
Applicants would then need to register their livestock premises with the State of Wisconsin Livestock Premises Registration Application. (Instructions)
The fee to apply for a Chicken Permit is $55; this fee covers the permit and inspection for the calendar year expire on December 31st.
Beekeeping Permits
Any individual wishing to keep bees within the City limits must apply for a permit. A number of requirements and guidelines for the keeping of bees within the City are specified in Racine Municipal Code, Section 10-43 Beekeeping Permit.
There is no fee to apply for a Beekeeping Permit. After the application has been submitted, an inspection of the premises must take place in order to issue the Beekeeping Permit.
