Public Health

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:

• Dropped off 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.
• Mailed to the Department of Customer Service, 730 Washington Avenue Room 103, Racine, WI 53403. Include a check with the application.

The license(s) and tag(s) will be returned to you via mail if the application is mailed to us.

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.

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.

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.

It is unlawful for a person to knowingly keep any dog which habitually barks, howls, or yelps, or any cat which habitually cries or howls, to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. Complete the animal nuisance complaint form, available below, to file a nuisance/noise complaint.

It is unlawful to knowingly leave animal waste on public or private property other than your own. When walking your dog, it may be best to carry a plastic bag to avoid any problems. Dispose of the bag in a trash bin; do not place the waste down a storm drain. For a pet waste complaint, you must have the address of the animal’s owner. You may submit waste complaints using the online animal complaint form

Persons wishing to bring a restricted animal into the City for a temporary period must file a Special Permit for Keeping Animals. City of Racine Municipal Code, Sec. 10-42: Part (1) references the Special Permit for Keeping Animals; Part (2) references the Ownership Permit for Certain Restricted Animals. Individuals wishing to permanently keep restricted animals within the City must file an Ownership Permit for Certain Restricted Animals. Both application forms are available here:

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.