Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Dunkirk, Wisconsin

Town of Dunkirk’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction of one- or two-family dwellings inside Dunkirk town.

  • A state uniform building permit must be obtained before building.
  • The Town furnishes the permit and a copy must be filed with the town building department.

  “No person shall build or cause to be built anyone or two-family dwelling without first obtaining a state uniform building permit for such dwelling. Such building permit shall be furnished by the Town of Dunkirk. A copy of such permit issued shall be filed with the town building department.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction, remodeling, and additions inside Dunkirk town.

  • Residents must contact the Building Inspector to determine required local permits and inspections.

  “The Building Inspector inspects Town buildings”

• Off-grid sanitationProhibited

  Holding-tank sewage disposal for new construction inside Dunkirk town.

  • An applicant may appeal in writing to the Town Board; a variance requires severe and substantial hardship overcoming the public interest.
  • Avoidable hardships and inability to develop land to the maximum otherwise permissible extent cannot support a variance.

  “The Town Board, having found that the County of Dane has not adopted an ordinance prohibiting the installation and use of holding tanks for new construction and having the power to enact such prohibition itself pursuant to the provisions of ILHR 83.1 8(2)(b) Wisconsin Administrative Code, adopted by authority of Chapter 145 Wisconsin Statutes, the installation and/or use of "holding tanks" (as defined in ILHR 83.02(26) in any and all new construction in the Town is hereby prohibited.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways inside Dunkirk town regulated under Town ordinance 4.11.

  • Field-access driveway fee is $25; all other driveway permits are $100.
  • The ordinance states fees may be changed by Town Board resolution if a new schedule is publicly posted within 30 days of passage.

  field access driveway permit fee: 25 USD · other driveway permit fee: 100 USD

  “driveway permit required under ordinance 4.11”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  New homes, additions, decks, outbuildings, and remodeling inside Dunkirk town.

  • New homes require a Dane County zoning permit, Town permit, plans with wall sections, and a Wisconsin Uniform Building Permit Application.
  • Additions, decks, and outbuildings require a Dane County zoning permit, Town permit, plans, and contractor contact information.
  • Remodeling requires the Town permit, floor plan, contractor information, and estimated cost.

  “Local Building Permits require the following information:”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Dunkirk

Town of Dunkirk does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Zoning review for construction inside Dunkirk town is administered through the Dane County zoning-permit process.

  • The Town building page lists a Dane County Zoning Permit for new homes and for additions, decks, and outbuildings.

  “Local Building Permits require the following information: New Homes Dane County Zoning Permit Town of Dunkirk Building Permit (PDF) One set of plans with wall sections WI Uniform Building Permit Application completed Additions, Decks and Out Buildings Dane County Zoning Permit Town of Dunkirk Building Permit (PDF)”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage systems serving structures inside Dunkirk town.

  • County sanitary approval is required before the Town may issue a building permit for new construction needing a private sewage system.

  “shall apply to all lands and waters within Dane County”

• Septic permitRequired

  New structures inside Dunkirk town that require installation of a private sewage system.

  • The owner must obtain the sanitary permit before the Town issues the building permit.

  “unless a sanitary permit [...] has been obtained by the owner.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Plats and certified survey maps inside Dunkirk town.

  • Approval is based on consistency with the Town Plan.
  • The Town stated it intended to supplement the county regulations where necessary.

  “The Dane County Subdivision Regulations are currently in effect in the Town of Dunkirk.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Dunkirk or Dane County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Dunkirk town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential construction inside Dunkirk town.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable inside Dunkirk town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Dunkirk town.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Dunkirk town.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.