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

Town of Albion’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New buildings and additions inside Albion town.

  • Obtain the Jackson County land-use permit before contacting the town for the building permit.
  • The town page identifies a $25.00 cost.

  building permit fee: 25 USD

  “are you constructing a new building or adding on? once you receive your land use permit from jackson county, contact joan hanson at (715) 896-2226 to get your building permits. the cost is $25.00.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Town building permits for new buildings and additions inside Albion town.

  • The posted $25.00 fee follows obtaining a Jackson County land-use permit.

  town building permit cost: 25 USD

  “once you receive your land use permit from jackson county, contact joan hanson at (715) 896-2226 to get your building permits. the cost is $25.00.”

• Permit processPartial

  New buildings and additions inside Albion town.

  • First obtain the Jackson County land-use permit, then contact the named town representative for the town building permit.
  • The town page does not publish the complete application, review, and inspection workflow.

  “are you constructing a new building or adding on? once you receive your land use permit from jackson county, contact joan hanson at (715) 896-2226 to get your building permits.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Albion

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

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  New one- and two-family dwelling units inside Albion town, including stick-built, modular, and manufactured-home installations.

  • The statewide Uniform Dwelling Code applies to the stated dwelling types; local permitting and enforcement may also apply.

  “A permit under the UDC is required for new one- and two-family dwelling units. This includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Albion town that is subject to Jackson County zoning; Albion's official site directs applicants to obtain a Jackson County land-use permit before obtaining the town building permit.

  • Jackson County states that Chapter 17 governs rural areas, shoreland areas, and townships that have adopted comprehensive zoning; parcel zoning and applicability must be confirmed with the County.
  • Town building permits follow the Jackson County land-use permit.

  “since april 19, 1966 many of the rural areas of jackson county, all shoreland areas (areas located within 1000 feet of a lake or flowage and 300 feet of a river or stream), and townships that have adopted comprehensive zoning have been governed by jackson county chapter 17, zoning ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Jackson County zoning applicable to land inside Albion town where the County zoning ordinance applies.

  • The opened county overview confirms agricultural, residential, business, and industrial land uses but does not publish a complete Albion parcel/district map on that page.
  • Confirm the parcel zoning classification with Jackson County before relying on a district standard.

  “land has been designated for specific uses, large amounts of land are zoned for various agricultural uses while others are zoned for uses such as residential, business, and industrial.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Travel trailers and camping units on undeveloped or vacant property inside Albion town where Jackson County zoning applies.

  • Without registration, placement is limited to 25 days in a calendar year.
  • Registered units require annual registration before January 31, a displayed sticker, sanitary provisions, garbage and trash disposal, and no more than one unit per lot or parcel.
  • Primary-residence occupation is prohibited; local ordinances or restrictive covenants may also prevent siting.

  unregistered placement limit: <= 25 days per calendar year (Unless registered with the Jackson County Zoning Department.) · annual registration fee: 100 USD

  “occupation of the unit as a primary residence is strictly prohibited. local ordinances or restrictive covenants may prevent the siting of these travel trailer/camping units on a parcel of land.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Travel-trailer or camping-unit placement on undeveloped or vacant land inside Albion town where Jackson County zoning applies.

  • The stated limit applies in zoned townships.
  • Registration with Jackson County is the stated exception to the 25-day limit.

  temporary camping limit: <= 25 days per calendar year (Unless registered with the Jackson County Zoning Department.)

  “in any zoned township, a travel trailer or camping unit can be located on undeveloped or vacant property for only 25 days in a calendar year unless it is registered with the jackson county zoning department.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage and non-plumbing sanitation systems inside Albion town where a private system is used.

  • The county issues both state and county sanitary permits.
  • Permit validity is two years and may be renewed for similar periods before expiration.

  sanitary permit validity: 2 years (Renewable for similar periods prior to expiration.)

  “the jackson county zoning department issues state and county sanitary permits for the installation of private sewage systems and non-plumbing sanitation systems. the sanitary permit is valid for two years from the date of issue and is renewable for similar periods thereafter prior to the expiration date of the permit.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of a private sewage system inside Albion town.

  • A soil evaluation must precede sanitary-permit issuance.
  • The sanitary permit must be obtained before installation.
  • A sanitary permit is required before a land-use permit when a land-use permit is required.

  “a soil evaluation shall be done on a site prior to the issuance of a sanitary permit. a sanitary permit is required prior to the installation of a private sewage system. a sanitary permit is required prior to the issuance of a land use permit, when required.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation and maintenance of private sewage systems inside Albion town.

  • The installer contacts the county office for inspection before backfilling.
  • The maintenance program requires pumping within 36 months of installation and at least every 36 months thereafter, or when sludge reaches one-third of liquid capacity.

  maintenance pumping interval: <= 36 months (Also required when sludge reaches one-third of tank liquid capacity.)

  “the plumber can then install the system, contacting our office for an inspection prior to backfilling.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions and subdivision plats inside Albion town.

  • County review applies before recording CSMs, preliminary and final plats, and legal descriptions dividing existing parcels.
  • A maximum of four lots may be created by CSM; five or more lots require a subdivision plat.
  • Proposed lots are generally at least 1.5 acres unless a more restrictive local ordinance, a specific county/state rule, or a county Board of Adjustment variance applies.

  maximum lots by certified survey map: <= 4 lots · general proposed lot minimum: >= 1.5 acres (Subject to stated local, county/state-code, or variance exceptions.)

  “a maximum of four (4) lots can be created via a csm. land divisions of five (5) or more lots shall be recorded as a subdivision plat.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Albion town.
• Inspections — Building work inside Albion town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Albion town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Albion town subject to Jackson County zoning.
• Minimum lot size — Zoning-district lot size for dwellings inside Albion 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.