Bolthole Index

Grant County, Wisconsin

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

Town of Smelser is a town in Grant County, Wisconsin. Town of Smelser adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Town of Smelser’s rules apply, not the county’s. Septic permits inside Town of Smelser come from Grant County (Grant County Conservation, Sanitation & Zoning Department · (608) 723-6080). 3 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 29, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Grant County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Smelser

Town of Smelser’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside the Town of Smelser, Wisconsin.

    “Motin to adopt proposed Ordinance 26-3 establishing interim zoning in the Town of Smelser by Supervisor Terry Rizer. Second by Supervisor Dan Harry, Sr. Motion carried.”
  • Permit processPartial

    A person seeking to build on property inside Smelser town.

    • Town instructs the prospective builder to contact Michael Reuter and also Grant County Zoning and Sanitation Department.
    “A: Contact Michael Reuter at (608) 348-3627. You also need to call Grant County Zoning and Sanitation Department at (608) 723-6377. See attached Grant County CSZ”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Smelser

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

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Prospective construction inside Smelser town.

    • The town FAQ directs prospective builders to both the town building inspector and Grant County Zoning and Sanitation Department; it does not state the full county septic-permit requirements.
    “A sanitary permit application and design plan shall be submitted for review [...] to the Grant County CS&Z Department.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Residential construction inside Smelser town.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Smelser town.
  • Building code adopted — Construction inside Smelser town.
  • Inspections — Residential construction inside Smelser town.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Structures inside Smelser town.
22 more unanswered
  • Zoning districts
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Smelser publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Grant County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Smelser means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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