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

Town of Jefferson’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction covered by Town Ordinance 10-19 inside the Town of Jefferson.

  • The Town identifies permit-required project scope by resolution and may modify that scope.
  • Minor repair as defined in the ordinance does not require a building permit.
  • The Town's inspector page identifies new one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings, certain additions/remodels, accessory structures of 1,000 square feet or more, commercial/industrial projects, and electrical services as permit-required.

  “No construction of any kind shall take place as identified under the scope of Section 1(c) unless a building permit for that work is first obtained by the owner or his authorized agent from the Building Inspector.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures inside the Town of Jefferson.

  • The ordinance adopts by reference Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapters SPS 305, SPS 316, SPS 320-325, SPS 360-366, SPS 380-387, and SPS 375-379; future amendments, revisions, and modifications are intended to be included.
  • The Town Building and Mechanical Code supplements, rather than supersedes, state construction rules and the Jefferson County Zoning Code.

  “The following Chapters of the Wisconsin Administrative Code are hereby adopted by the Municipality and by reference made a part of this Ordinance as if fully set forth herein and shall be enforced by the Building Inspector.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted building projects inside the Town of Jefferson.

  • The owner, contractor, or property owner must request inspections according to the Wisconsin Administrative Code time frame or at least 48 hours in advance, as applicable.
  • Listed inspections include footing, foundation, rough carpentry/HVAC/electric/plumbing, drain tile/basement floor, under-floor plumbing, electric service, insulation, final work, and erosion control.
  • Failure to request an inspection may require uncovering work at the contractor's or owner's expense.

  advance inspection request: >= 48 hours (Unless the applicable Wisconsin Administrative Code establishes the appropriate time frame.)

  “In order to permit inspection of a building project at all necessary phases without causing delay for the owner, the owner and/or contractor shall request all of the following inspections in conformity with the appropriate time frame defined in the Wisconsin Administrative Code or at least 48 hours in advance by the applicant/contractor or property owner as applicable.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Occupancy of buildings inside the Town of Jefferson.

  • The Building Inspector must complete required inspections and find the building conforms to applicable codes before issuing occupancy approval.
  • A temporary occupancy approval may be issued for a specified term where minor noncompliance does not threaten safety, health, or welfare.

  “No person shall have occupancy of a building until an occupancy approval is issued. Inspector shall give Clerk copy of all occupancy approvals when issued.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside the Town of Jefferson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin.

  • For zoning amendments, conditional use permits, variances, farm consolidations, and related petitions, the Town procedure directs applicants to submit the county application and Town site-plan-review documents to the Town Clerk.

  “Review the Town Zoning Code of Ordinances for any Site Plan Review documents necessary for the review of your petition. The Town Zoning Ordinances (Fall 2015) and the Town Comprehensive Land Use Plan can be viewed at www.townofjefferson.com.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways and road access onto Town roads inside the Town of Jefferson.

  • The applicant must own or have a legal interest in, and current legal access to, the land.
  • A driveway construction plan or road access plan may be required; construction cannot begin until required Town permits and applicable Jefferson County or Wisconsin approvals are obtained.
  • The ordinance expressly addresses access onto Town roads; access to county or state roads requires the applicable county process.

  permit validity: 12 months (Each permit may be renewed once for an additional six months; otherwise a new application and fee are required.)

  “No person may establish or construct a driveway or reconstruct, reroute, or alter any road access onto a town road without first obtaining a Town road Access Permit to be issued by the town board.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits inside the Town of Jefferson.

  • Application must be in writing on the Building Inspector's/Department of Safety and Professional Services form.
  • Two copies of plans are required when filing; new buildings or additions requiring a permit require a plot plan showing proposed work, existing buildings, and property lines.
  • The Inspector issues the permit only if the project complies with local ordinances and applicable state laws and orders; the permit must be displayed conspicuously at the building site.

  “Application for a building permit shall be made in writing upon a form furnished by the Building Inspector upon a form prescribed by the Department of Safety and Professional Services”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-performed residential construction inside the Town of Jefferson.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside the Town of Jefferson.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwelling units inside the Town of Jefferson.
• Minimum lot size — Lots inside the Town of Jefferson.
• Setbacks — Structures inside the Town of Jefferson.

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.