Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Bear Bluff, Wisconsin

Town of Bear Bluff’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction in Bear Bluff town

  • The town policy also directs owners planning buildings, structures, shipping containers, or home changes to contact Jackson County Zoning regarding potentially needed land-use permits.

  “Building permits and inspections are required.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction in Bear Bluff town

  • The policy identifies the adopted code as the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC).

  “UDC (Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code) has been adopted by the Town of Bear Bluff.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction in Bear Bluff town

  • The listed UDC building inspector for Bear Bluff is Kent Erickson of General Engineering Company.

  “Building permits and inspections are required.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Proposed lots created by land division inside Bear Bluff town

  • A more restrictive local-municipal ordinance controls.
  • County or state code may allow a smaller lot.
  • A Board of Adjustment variance may be granted through required public-hearing procedures.

  minimum proposed lot size: >= 1.5 acres (unless a stated local, county/state-code, or variance exception applies)

  “All proposed lots are to be a minimum of 1.5 acres in size, unless one of the following applies:”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Travel trailers or camping units on undeveloped or vacant property inside Bear Bluff town

  • Without registration, location is limited to 25 days in a calendar year.
  • Registration is required before January 31; registered units may remain January 1 through December 31.
  • Only one unit is allowed per lot or parcel.
  • Appropriate sanitation and garbage disposal are required.
  • Primary-residence occupation is prohibited.
  • Local ordinances or restrictive covenants may prohibit siting.

  unregistered occupancy: <= 25 days per calendar year (unless registered with Jackson County Zoning Department) · annual registration fee: 100 USD

  “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.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Camping units on undeveloped or vacant property inside Bear Bluff town

  • Bear Bluff is a participating county-zoned township.
  • The 25-day annual limit applies unless the unit is registered with the Jackson County Zoning Department.
  • Primary-residence occupation is prohibited.

  unregistered camping-unit location: <= 25 days per calendar year (unless registered)

  “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)

  Areas inside Bear Bluff town not served by municipal sewers

  • Jackson County Chapter 15 and related Wisconsin administrative-code and statutory provisions apply.
  • The county program applies where municipal sewer service is absent.

  “All areas of Jackson County not served by municipal sewers are governed by Jackson County Chapter 15, Private Sewage System Ordinance.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage systems inside Bear Bluff town

  • The tank must be pumped within 36 months of installation and at least every 36 months thereafter, or when sludge reaches one-third of liquid capacity.
  • Owners must have the system pumped and/or inspected and return the notice signed by a licensed pumper.

  maintenance interval: <= 36 months (or when sludge level reaches one-third of tank liquid capacity)

  “All sewage systems shall have the septic tank pumped by a licensed pumper within 36 months of the date of installation and at least once every 36 months thereafter, or when the sludge level reaches one-third of the liquid capacity of the tank.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions inside Bear Bluff town

  • A parcel smaller than a rectangular half of a government protracted quarter-quarter requires county approval and a certified survey map.
  • Up to four lots may be created by CSM.
  • Five or more lots require a subdivision plat; a five-or-more-lot subdivision with lots under 1.5 acres requires state plat review and county approval.
  • All CSMs, preliminary/final plats, and legal descriptions dividing existing parcels require county review before recording.

  CSM maximum lots: <= 4 lots · subdivision-plat threshold: >= 5 lots

  “Any division of property is required to meet the standards set forth in Jackson County, Chapter 18 and the related chapters of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and Statutes that are in affect.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways inside Bear Bluff town

  • The town directs applicants to fill out its driveway-permit form and email the Town Clerk.
  • For access to a county highway, Jackson County Highway Department approval is separately required before work.
  • State highways and town roads are outside the County Highway Department's permit authority.

  “The Town of Bear Bluff requires a Driveway Permit. To obtain one, please fill out the Driveway Permit form and email the Town Clerk.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Property inside Bear Bluff town shown on FEMA floodplain mapping

  • Jackson County Chapter 20 Floodplain Zoning Ordinance applies.
  • County Zoning advises parcel-specific contact because of the number of Chapter 20 restrictions.

  “The Zoning Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of regulations for any property which is shown on the FEMA Floodplain mapping.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals in Bear Bluff town's R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, A-1, and A-2 districts

  • A short-term rental is a residential dwelling offered for rent for a fee for fewer than 29 consecutive days.
  • The use requires a conditional-use permit.
  • It must meet local building-code, county-health licensing, state, county sanitary, and Section 17.50 parking requirements.
  • After CUP application and fee, notice is sent to adjacent owners within 300 feet and the application is noticed in the Banner Journal for two weeks and on radio; the township receives the CUP and provides its position.

  short-term-rental duration: < 29 consecutive days · adjacent-owner notice radius: 300 feet

  “Short term rentals are allowed as a conditional use within the R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 residential districts and the A-1 and A-2 agricultural districts.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Bear Bluff town
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Bear Bluff town
• Local zoning — Land inside Bear Bluff town
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Bear Bluff town
• Setbacks — Structures inside Bear Bluff 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.