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

Town of Bennett’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  The dwelling types and additions specified by the Town of Bennett's Uniform Dwelling Code notice.

  • Applies to one- and two-family dwellings, changes of use to such dwellings, and additions to existing one- and two-family dwellings built after June 1, 1980 exceeding $50,000.

  addition threshold: > 50000 USD (Existing one- and two-family dwellings built after June 1, 1980)

  “Uniform Dwelling Code Building permits are required for one and two family dwellings, change of use of a structure to a one or two family dwelling, and additions to existing one and two family dwellings built after June 1, 1980 in excess of $50,000.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  One- and two-family dwellings, conversions to one- or two-family dwellings, and qualifying additions inside Bennett town.

  • The Town page limits additions to existing one- and two-family dwellings built after June 1, 1980 and in excess of $50,000.

  “In rural Douglas County each town is responsible to assure the proper procedures are met. Each town has created an ordinance or resolution outlining the permitting process to include application, plan review, and inspections required in the Code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Uniform Dwelling Code work inside Bennett town.

  • The official Town notice directs applicants to its named inspector for Uniform Dwelling Code permits and inspections.

  “Each town has created an ordinance or resolution outlining the permitting process to include application, plan review, and inspections required in the Code.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Bennett town subject to Douglas County zoning.

  • District boundaries are determined by the Official Zoning Map and Detailed Zoning Maps; the detailed maps prevail in a conflict.

  “For the purposes of this ordinance, the unincorporated areas of Douglas County are hereby divided into the following types of districts:”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  New dwellings inside Bennett town that are not served by municipal sewer.

  • A septic permit is excepted where the property is served by a municipal sewer system.

  “A septic system permit (unless the property is served by a municipal sewer system) from the Douglas County Zoning Office”

• Septic permitRequired

  New dwellings inside Bennett town not served by municipal sewer.

  • No septic system permit is required under this stated process if the property is served by a municipal sewer system.

  “A septic system permit (unless the property is served by a municipal sewer system) from the Douglas County Zoning Office”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  New dwellings inside Bennett town that are not served by municipal sewer.

  • A septic-system permit from Douglas County Zoning is required unless served by municipal sewer.

  “A septic system permit (unless the property is served by a municipal sewer system) from the Douglas County Zoning Office”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways inside Bennett town where applicable.

  • The Town's statement qualifies the driveway-permit requirement with 'if applicable.'

  “Town of Bennett only requires a driveway permit, which is located under permits on our website if applicable.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Bennett

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

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  R-1 Residential District land inside Bennett town, if the parcel is mapped R-1.

  • The schedule says its dimensional requirements apply unless specified elsewhere in the ordinance or Official Zoning Map. Road setbacks also apply under Section 4.2.

  front setback: 30 ft (R-1) · side setback, principal structure: 10 ft (R-1) · side setback, accessory structure: 5 ft (R-1) · rear setback, principal structure: 40 ft (R-1) · rear setback, accessory structure: 20 ft (R-1)

  “Dimensional Setbacks (in feet) Front Side Principal Accessory Rear Principal Accessory 30 10 5 40 20”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  R-1 Residential District land inside Bennett town, if the parcel is mapped R-1.

  • The schedule applies unless a requirement is specified elsewhere in the ordinance or on the Official Zoning Map.

  building height limit: 35 ft (R-1)

  “R-1 R-2 RR-1 A-1 A-2 C-1 RRC-1 I-1 F-1 Building Height Limit (ft) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 60 35”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Bennett town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Bennett town.
• Local zoning — Land inside the Town of Bennett, Wisconsin.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Bennett town.
• Lot coverage — Land inside Bennett 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.