These are the rules for a house in a residential district. Lots in special zoning (planned developments, lakefront shore yards, historic districts) can have extra limits, and a homeowners association can be stricter than the town. Rules change by ordinance, so the code link is the final word.
Not sure which town you're in? A Madison mailing address can be in Fitchburg, Monona, Maple Bluff, Shorewood Hills or a town. The property lookup shows the municipality for any address.
Fence Height
Back and side yard limits, front yard limits and whether you need a permit. Height rules usually measure from the ground to the top of the fence, and corner lots often have a lower limit near the intersection so drivers can see. Before you set posts, find your line on the property lines guide.
| Town | Fence rule (code section linked) |
|---|---|
| Madison | 6 ft in rear and interior side yards, 4 ft in front yard setback; no building permit(MGO 28.142(11)(a)) |
| Cottage Grove | 6 ft in side and rear yards (8 ft next to nonresidential land), 3 ft decorative fence in the street yard(§ 325-88) |
| DeForest | 6 ft along side and rear lot lines; not in the front setback (4 ft landscape features only); permit needed(DeForest Code § 15.04(13)(b)1) |
| Fitchburg | 6 ft near side and rear lot lines, 4 ft and at least 50% open in front yards; no permit(Fitchburg Code § 22-56(10)) |
| Maple Bluff | 5 ft along and within 10 ft of the rear lot line, 4 ft everywhere else; building permit needed(§ 225-4-4 and Figure 225.2.2) |
| McFarland | 6 ft in side/rear yards, 3 ft in required front yard (4 ft street side); 2 ft off front line; permit(McFarland Code § 8-368, § 8-369) |
| Middleton | 6 ft in side and rear yards, 3 ft and 50% open in front; zoning and building permits required(Middleton Code 10.06.40(3), (6)(a)1) |
| Monona | 6 ft in side and rear yards, 42 in decorative fence in the street yard; fence permit required ($100)(§ 175-22A(3)-(5)) |
| Mount Horeb | 6 ft in side and rear yards, 4 ft in the front or street yard; building permit required(§ 17.06.40) |
| Oregon | 6 ft in side, street side and rear yards; 3 ft in front yard; $50 zoning permit for 1-2 family homes(Oregon Code § 17-720(3)(c); zoning permit § 17-904) |
| Shorewood Hills | 4 ft, 40% open in setbacks and side/rear yards; 5 ft solid elsewhere; no solid fence in front; permit(Shorewood Hills Code § 10-1-103) |
| Stoughton | 6 ft along side and rear lot lines, 4 ft in the front setback; 3 ft from lot lines; zoning permit(Stoughton Code § 78-718(3)(a)2, (b)1) |
| Sun Prairie | 6 ft in back and side yards, 4 ft in front or street yards, 2 ft back from front line; permit(Sun Prairie Code § 17.36.200(C)(2)-(3); § 15.04.170) |
| Verona | 6 ft in back and side yards, 4 ft and 50% open in front; 2 ft from front line; permit ($75 + $25)(Verona Code § 13-1-155(d)-(e)) |
| Waunakee | Under 6 ft on side and rear lines, 4 ft in street yard (2 ft back); 6 ft+ needs conditional use; permit(Waunakee Code § 133-1135(c)(1)) |
Backyard Chickens
Hens only, in every town that allows them; none of these towns allows roosters on a regular house lot. Most require a license or permit from the town, and some also require registering with the state.
| Town | Chicken rule (code section linked) |
|---|---|
| Madison | Up to 8 hens on lots with up to 4 units; no roosters; $10 yearly city license(MGO 28.151 (Keeping of Chickens); MGO 9.52 (license)) |
| Cottage Grove | Not found. We couldn't find this rule in the town's code; ask the town. |
| DeForest | Up to 6 hens per household; no roosters; coop counts as an accessory building(DeForest Code § 9.07(3)(d)4.b; § 9.07(7)(c)1; § 9.07(8)(d)) |
| Fitchburg | Poultry allowed as limited animal husbandry: about 25 birds per acre, prorated by lot size; no license in code(Fitchburg Code § 22-56(14)a; animal unit defined in § 22-651) |
| Maple Bluff | Chicken coops and runs need Building Board approval; flock limits are in the animal code, not found(§ 225-3-5A (Figure 225.3.2)) |
| McFarland | Up to 4 hens in R-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, RH-1; no roosters; annual Village permit; coop in rear yard(McFarland Code § 62-69(d), (e)) |
| Middleton | 6 hens on lots up to 1/2 acre, 8 on larger lots; no roosters; yearly permit from Building Inspector(Middleton Code 7.21(3), (5)) |
| Monona | Not found. We couldn't find this rule in the town's code; ask the town. |
| Mount Horeb | Residential chickens are a by-right accessory use in single- and two-family districts; Chapter 11 rules apply(§ 17.03.28(22); Table § 17.03.05) |
| Oregon | Up to 10 chickens or quail (since Jan 1, 2026); no roosters; DATCP registration; coop in rear or side yard(Oregon Code § 17-206(8)(aa) (Ord. 25-03, eff. 1-1-2026)) |
| Shorewood Hills | Up to 4 hens in R-1 with a 3-year Village permit; no roosters; coop 25 ft from neighbors' homes(Shorewood Hills Code § 10-1-100(f), (g)(6); permit § 17.06(8)) |
| Stoughton | Up to 6 hens allowed by right, no roosters; register with the city clerk and pay a fee(Stoughton Code § 78-206(8)(y); § 6-2(c)) |
| Sun Prairie | Up to 4 hens on single-family lots with a special use permit and yearly clerk license; no roosters(Sun Prairie Code § 17.16.140(29); § 6.04.055) |
| Verona | Up to 4 hens (8 on lots of 1 acre+), no roosters; annual city license and neighbor notice(Verona Code § 13-1-132(d); § 7-1-22) |
| Waunakee | Up to 4 hens in R-1 to R-3D districts with a $15 yearly license; no roosters(Waunakee Code § 133-1138(1); § 14-50) |
Grass and Weed Height
Past this height the town can order you to mow, and in most towns it can mow for you and bill you. Some towns pause enforcement in May for "No Mow May," and most exempt registered natural or prairie plantings. The lawn and yard calendar covers what to do each month.
| Town | Grass rule (code section linked) |
|---|---|
| Madison | Lawns and terraces may not exceed 8 inches(MGO 27.05(2)(f)) |
| Cottage Grove | Grass over 1 ft tall is a public nuisance; the Weed Commissioner gives 5 days' written notice to cut it(§ 224-2 (Public nuisances affecting health, F)) |
| DeForest | Grass over 12 inches violates the code; Village can mow after 5 days' written notice and bill you(DeForest Code § 12.07(2); also § 27 property maintenance (12 in)) |
| Fitchburg | Grass and weeds over 8 inches violate the code; gardens, prairie and approved native landscapes exempt(Fitchburg Code § 37-69) |
| Maple Bluff | Not found. We couldn't find this rule in the town's code; ask the town. |
| McFarland | Lawns must stay under 8 inches (not enforced in May, 'No Mow May'); Village can mow after 5-day notice(McFarland Code § 20-25(b), (g)) |
| Middleton | Lawn, grass or weeds over 8 inches is a public nuisance; managed natural landscaping exempt(Middleton Code 23.05(3)) |
| Monona | Grass or weeds over 8 inches is a nuisance, except in May (No Mow May) or an approved natural lawn(§ 263-6) |
| Mount Horeb | Lawns on improved lots must be kept at 6 inches or less; registered native plantings are exempt(§ 10.03 (as amended by Ord. 2023-06)) |
| Oregon | Weeds and grass must be kept cut to 1 foot or less; Village can cut and bill the property(Oregon Code § 10.03(6)(a)) |
| Shorewood Hills | Not found. We couldn't find this rule in the town's code; ask the town. |
| Stoughton | Grass over 12 inches is a public nuisance; owners must keep grass mowed, terraces included(Stoughton Code § 58-8(6)b) |
| Sun Prairie | Lawns, weeds and grasses over 8 inches are a public nuisance unless a registered natural lawn(Sun Prairie Code § 8.36.010(C)(1); § 8.28.010) |
| Verona | Lawns, grass or weeds over 8 inches are a nuisance; not enforced in May (No Mow May)(Verona Code § 8-1-6(b)(1), (g)) |
| Waunakee | Lawns, grass or weeds over 8 inches are a public nuisance (natural lawns, wetlands excepted)(Waunakee Code § 78-1(b)) |
Sidewalk Snow
In every town here, the owner (or occupant) has to clear the public sidewalk in front of the house. What differs is how long you have.
| Town | Sidewalk rule (code section linked) |
|---|---|
| Madison | Clear the full public sidewalk by noon the day after the snow falls, corner curb ramps included(MGO 10.28(1)) |
| Cottage Grove | Clear the full width of the sidewalk and ramps within 24 hours of snowfall, including plow drifts(§ 270-5A) |
| DeForest | Owner or occupant must keep the abutting public sidewalk clear; the code sets no hour deadline(DeForest Code § 7.04(1)) |
| Fitchburg | Clear the public sidewalk by 6 p.m. the day after snow stops falling(Fitchburg Code § 27-114) |
| Maple Bluff | Owner or occupant must clear the sidewalk promptly each day; sand or salt ice that can't be removed(§ 192-6) |
| McFarland | Clear the sidewalk within 24 hours after snow stops, at least 4 ft wide; also clear an abutting fire hydrant(McFarland Code § 53-301) |
| Middleton | Clear the full sidewalk, curb ramps and nearby fire hydrant within 24 hours after snow stops(Middleton Code 8.07(1)) |
| Monona | Clear the full width of sidewalks and curb ramps as soon as possible, within 24 hours after snow stops(§ 395-8A) |
| Mount Horeb | Clear the sidewalk to its full width within 24 hours of snowfall; each hour late is a separate offense(§ 8.04(1)) |
| Oregon | Clear the full sidewalk width, ramps and abutting hydrant within 24 hours after snowfall ends(Oregon Code § 8.07(1)–(2)) |
| Shorewood Hills | Clear the sidewalk in front of your lot within 24 hours after snowfall ends(Shorewood Hills Code § 11.06(1)) |
| Stoughton | Clear the sidewalk by 9 a.m. the second day after a snowfall (downtown: within 24 hours)(Stoughton Code § 64-13(a), (c)) |
| Sun Prairie | Clear the sidewalk within 24 hours after snow stops, at least 4 ft wide; salt or sand ice(Sun Prairie Code § 12.32.010(A)) |
| Verona | Clear the full width of the sidewalk within 24 hours after snow stops(Verona Code § 6-2-7(a)) |
| Waunakee | Clear the sidewalk within 24 hours after snow stops, at least 4 ft wide; salt or sand ice(Waunakee Code § 58-320(a)) |
Noise and Construction Hours
Most codes set hours for construction and power equipment rather than general quiet hours. Where a town also sets quiet hours for music or parties, they're included.
| Town | Noise rule (code section linked) |
|---|---|
| Madison | Construction equipment 7 am-7 pm Mon-Sat, 10 am-7 pm Sun; 65 dBA limit at residential lot lines(MGO 24.08(3)(f), 24.08(6)(a)) |
| Cottage Grove | Construction 7 a.m.-10 p.m. only; music audible at the lot line 10 p.m.-7 a.m. is a violation(§ 219-1B(2), B(5)) |
| DeForest | Construction equipment 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon–Sat, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun; loud music 10 p.m.–7 a.m. is a violation(DeForest Code § 10.03(8)(b)2 and 6) |
| Fitchburg | No building or excavation noise 7 p.m.-7 a.m., any day(Fitchburg Code § 74-111(c)) |
| Maple Bluff | Noise at a neighbor's house may not exceed 60 dB from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. or 70 dB at other hours(§ 225-4-8D) |
| McFarland | Construction noise only 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; mowers and power yard tools only 7 a.m.–9 p.m.(McFarland Code § 20-59 (construction), § 20-80) |
| Middleton | Heavy construction equipment only 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Sat; none on Sundays or City holidays(Middleton Code 16.05(2)(e)) |
| Monona | Not found. We couldn't find this rule in the town's code; ask the town. |
| Mount Horeb | Continuous noise may not exceed ambient +3 dBA at a residential lot line; construction rules are in Chapter 8(§ 17.06.31) |
| Oregon | Powered construction, demolition, roofing and siding work only 7 a.m.–7 p.m., every day(Oregon Code § 9.07(3)) |
| Shorewood Hills | Quiet hours outside 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun; no construction then(Shorewood Hills Code § 21.06, § 21.07) |
| Stoughton | Noisy construction or repair work only 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; no other set quiet hours in the code(Stoughton Code § 50-5(c)(3)f) |
| Sun Prairie | Construction and lawn or garden power equipment 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; amplified sound quiet 10 p.m.-7 a.m.(Sun Prairie Code § 8.32.020(B), (G), (H)) |
| Verona | Construction noise 7 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekends; music quiet 10 p.m.-7 a.m.(Verona Code § 11-2-7(b)(2), (b)(6)) |
| Waunakee | Construction 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (80 dBA cap at the lot line); music quiet hours 10 p.m.-7 a.m.(Waunakee Code §§ 26-50, 26-48) |
More Neighbor Rules
Burning, fire pits and fireworks, trees on the line, water running onto your yard, and Madison's parking rules each have their own guide.
- Diggers HotlineWhen you can dig, what the flags mean, and the lines nobody marks.Read the Guide
- Lawn and Yard CalendarWhat to do each month, from frost dates to oak wilt and wild parsnip.Read the Guide
- Madison Parking Tickets and Winter RulesPaying or contesting a ticket, fines, alternate side parking and snow emergencies.Read the Guide
- Neighbor Trees and Wisconsin LawOverhanging branches, cutting a tree on the line, dead trees, spite fences and Madison's street trees.Read the Guide
- Neighbor Water RunoffWisconsin's reasonable use rule for surface water, sump pump rules by town, and who to call.Read the Guide
- Burning, Fire Pits and FireworksLeaf burning, fire pits and fireworks permits by town, plus DNR burning permits.Read the Guide
How we did this: we read each town's code of ordinances (Municode, ecode360 through archived copies, or the town's own PDFs) in October 2026 and quoted the section behind every cell. 15 towns, 8 rules; 12 cells say "Not found" where we couldn't find or open the rule.
Questions
How tall can a fence be in Madison?
6 ft in rear and interior side yards, 4 ft in front yard setback; no building permit. The rule is in Madison General Ordinances MGO 28.142(11)(a).
Can I keep backyard chickens in Madison?
Up to 8 hens on lots with up to 4 units; no roosters; $10 yearly city license (MGO 28.151 (Keeping of Chickens); MGO 9.52 (license)).
How long can grass be in Madison?
Lawns and terraces may not exceed 8 inches (MGO 27.05(2)(f)).
Do the suburbs have the same rules as Madison?
No. Each city and village writes its own code, so fence heights, chicken limits, grass limits and snow deadlines differ from town to town. The tables on this page show each one with its code section.