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

Town of Vermont’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New buildings and additions over 200 square feet in a 12-month period within the Ordinance No. 2 scope inside the Town of Vermont.

  • Structural changes or major mechanical-system changes involving extensions require permits when over the stated thresholds.
  • Restoration or repair to previous code-compliant condition, residing, re-roofing, interior finishing, and cabinetry installation are exempt.

  addition threshold: > 200 sq ft (Measured for additions in any twelve-month period.)

  “If a person adds an addition in excess of 200 sq ft [...] they shall first obtain a building permit”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings within the scope of Town of Vermont Ordinance No. 2, including one- and two-family dwellings and specified camping units.

  • The ordinance scope includes construction and inspection of one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980, new camping units, certain pre-1980 alterations/additions, and detached garages/accessory buildings over 200 square feet.

  “The Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, §§ SPS 320-325 and § SPS 327 [...] are adopted and incorporated by reference”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction and inspection subject to Town of Vermont Ordinance No. 2.

  • Scope includes one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980 and new camping units; the Town also extends scope to specified older-dwelling alterations and certain accessory buildings.

  “The scope of this ordinance includes the construction and inspection of one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside the Town of Vermont; zoning administration is identified by the Town as Dane County Zoning Division.

  • The Town instructs applicants to determine current zoning through Dane County Zoning Division.
  • The Town page identifies SFR, RR, and RM zoning categories for the property.

  “Determine current zoning of the property. Dane County Zoning Division”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Town of Vermont parcels whose current zoning is determined through Dane County Zoning Division.

  • The opened Town page identifies SFR, RR, and RM categories but does not supply the complete Town zoning map or district schedule.

  “Confirm property is currently zoned in the SFR, RR, or RM category.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Non-farm residential lots created in the Town of Vermont under Chapter 7.

  • Lots must also comply with applicable state and county requirements.
  • Lots under two acres created before January 1, 1985 may be rezoned to an appropriate zoning category.

  minimum non-farm residential lot area: >= 2 acres (Applies to lots created for non-farm residential development.)

  “Lots created for non-farm residential development shall be a minimum of two acres.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Lots and parcels approved under the Town of Vermont land-division ordinance.

  • Holding-tank-served lots or parcels are not approved unless a variance is granted under § 7.08.
  • Each lot or parcel must have suitable area for a private sewage system incorporating soil disposal, as required by applicable state and county regulations.

  “Except when a variance is granted in accordance with ss 7.08, lots and parcels served by holding tanks will not be approved.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions inside the Town of Vermont.

  • Chapter 7 exceptions include transfers by will or court order, leases not exceeding ten years, mortgages/easements, qualifying adjoining-owner exchanges, cemetery plats, and certain assessor's plats.
  • The certified survey map must be submitted and approved under Chapter 7 and other applicable laws.

  “unless a certified survey map of the division is submitted and approved in accordance with this chapter and other applicable laws”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Access from a town highway or private road inside the Town of Vermont.

  • County-highway access is overseen by Dane County Highway and Transportation.
  • State-highway access is overseen by Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
  • The Town rule also applies when a house is torn down and rebuilt.

  “A driveway permit is required to locate, establish, construct, or substantially reconstruct a driveway, road, or other access”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Projects in flood-zone, wetland, or shoreland areas inside the Town of Vermont.

  • The Town states that certain projects may require a Dane County erosion-control or shoreland-mitigation permit.
  • Applicants are directed to verify with Dane County Land and Water Resources.

  “any filling or grading occurring in a flood zone, wetland, or shoreland area may require these permits.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permits under Town of Vermont Ordinance No. 2.

  • Fees are determined by resolution.
  • Fees include the applicable Wisconsin UDC permit-seal fee for a new dwelling and include specified camping-unit and inspection fees.

  “The building permit fees shall be determined by resolution”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Town building-permit applicants inside the Town of Vermont.

  • Applicants submit the application form, detailed project description, applicable blueprints, site plan, and applicable Dane County permits.
  • Electronic blueprint copies are preferred; if unavailable, submit standard 8.5 by 11 inch plans.
  • Both pages of any Dane County permits must be included.

  “Submit the application form, detailed project description, copy of any applicable blueprints, site plan, and copies of any applicable Dane County permits”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Residential construction inside the Town of Vermont.
• Certificate of occupancy — Construction inside the Town of Vermont.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside the Town of Vermont.
• Setbacks — Structures inside the Town of Vermont.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside the Town of Vermont.

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.