Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Fennimore, Wisconsin

Fennimore’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting buildings or structures inside Fennimore city

  • Exempt: repairs/alterations not involving enlargement, structural, ventilation, fire protection, electrical or plumbing changes (painting, floor coverings, gutters, reroofing, open porch, deck, fences, siding, razing, etc.).
  • Plans may be waived for alterations, repairs or moving costing no more than $2,000.
  • Permit lapses if substantial operations not completed within six months.
  • Double fee for starting without permit.

  single-family permit fee: $100 plus $2 per $1,000 USD (fees as adopted by council from time to time)

  “no building or any part thereof shall hereafter be erected within the city or ground broken for the same, except as hereinafter provided, until a building permit therefor shall first have been obtained from the building inspector by the owner or his or her authorized agent.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  New construction, additions and alterations inside Fennimore city

  • State building code adopted for classes of buildings to which it applies.
  • Chapter text last updated 07/29/2015.

  “the wisconsin uniform dwelling code, wis. admin code chs. comm20-25, and all amendments thereto, is adopted and incorporated in this chapter by reference.”

• Local zoningPresent

  All lands and waters within the corporate limits of Fennimore city

  • Adopted under s. 62.23, Wis. Stats.; official zoning map dated March 25, 1974 incorporated by reference (city site also posts a 2019 zoning map).

  “the jurisdiction of this ordinance shall include all lands and waters within the corporate limits of the city of fennimore.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts of Fennimore city

  • Districts: R-1, R-2, R-3, A-1, CD-1 to CD-4, H-1, IPD-1 to IPD-3, CD conservancy, DD institutional.
  • Official map dated March 25, 1974; city site posts a 2019 zoning map.

  “3.01 establishment: the following zoning districts are hereby established: r-1 r-2 r-3 single-family residential district two-family residential district multi-family residential district”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district, Fennimore city

  • A-1 agricultural district and R-2 limits are separate; R-2 requires 7,200 sq ft, 60 ft width, 120 ft length.

  minimum area: >= 9600 square feet · minimum width at front setback line: >= 80 feet · minimum length: >= 120 feet

  “lot size: width: 80 feet minimum at the front building setback line. length: 120 feet minimum. area: 9,600 square feet minimum.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district, Fennimore city

  • Rear: 20 ft to principal building or attached accessory; 8 ft for detached accessory.
  • Accessory structures 8 ft each side and may not sit between side setback and principal structure.
  • A-1 setbacks not read.

  front (street) yard: >= 20 feet · side yard: >= 15 feet (8 ft for accessory structures)

  “yards: street: 20 feet minimum from the street front.”

• Building heightSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district, Fennimore city

  • Height measured per 19.02 definition; A-1 height not read.

  maximum building height: <= 30 feet

  “lot size: width: 80 feet minimum at the front building setback line. length: 120 feet minimum. area: 9,600 square feet minimum. building: height: 30 feet maximum. width: 24 feet minimum. yards: street: 20 feet minimum from the street front.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured and mobile homes inside Fennimore city

  • HUD-labeled manufactured homes count as dwellings only if on real estate owned by the homeowner, with utilities connected and set on a support without wheels.
  • Mobile homes (towable, non-HUD) only in mobile home parks or subdivisions, permitted only in districts that specifically allow them.

  “no mobile homes shall be parked in any lot except in a mobile home park or mobile home subdivision.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage systems within the sewer service area of Fennimore city

  • Common council approval is the only exception route stated.
  • County/state septic authority for areas outside the sewer service area not researched.

  “septic tanks prohibited. from june 1, 2009, the use of septic tanks, holding tanks, or any other private sewage disposal system within the sewer service area of the city shall not be permitted unless approved by the common council.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private sewage disposal inside the sewer service area of Fennimore city

  • Allowed only if approved by the common council.
  • Rules outside the sewer service area not researched.

  “septic tanks prohibited. from june 1, 2009, the use of septic tanks, holding tanks, or any other private sewage disposal system within the sewer service area of the city shall not be permitted unless approved by the common council.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Parcels with a habitable building adjacent to a city sewer main inside Fennimore city

  • Connection due within 365 days of written notice from the common council.
  • If owner fails, council may connect and bill the owner; unpaid costs become a charge after 30 days.
  • Water connection requirement not found.

  connection deadline: <= 365 days after written notice

  “the owner of each parcel of land within the city adjacent to a sewer main on which there exists a building usable for human habitation or in a block through which such system is extended shall connect to such system within 365 days of notice, in writing, from the common council.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building permits inside Fennimore city

  • Fees are set by council ordinance from time to time; Chapter 13 amounts apply 'until amended'.
  • City permits page lists a newer 2026 fee schedule that was not opened; it may supersede Chapter 13 amounts.
  • Fees based on fair market value of labor and materials.

  single-family dwelling construction: $100.00 plus $2 per $1,000 USD (until amended)

  “the fees are to be as follows until amended: single family dwelling construction ………………$100.00 plus $2 per $1,000”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit applications inside Fennimore city

  • Plans per Uniform Dwelling Code; fees paid to city clerk/treasurer before issuance.
  • Appeals go to the zoning board of appeals.

  “a person aggrieved by any decision by the building inspector under this code shall have the right to appeal thereof to the zoning board of appeals of the city of fennimore”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Fennimore or Grant County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Fennimore city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new homes inside Fennimore city
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in R-1 and A-1 districts, Fennimore city
• Lot coverage — R-1 and A-1 districts, Fennimore city
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Fennimore city

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.