Bolthole Index

Juneau County, Wisconsin

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Elroy, Wisconsin

Elroy, Wisconsin, requires a building permit for a new house and other listed construction, alteration, electrical, heating and plumbing work.1 The city sets zoning and sends building-permit applicants to General Engineering, while Juneau County, not the city, issues sanitary permits for private septic systems and land use permits in mapped floodplains.2345

At a glance

Building permit
Required for a new house and other listed work1
Zoning
City zoning applies inside Elroy2
Septic
Juneau County sanitary permit required for a private system46
Minimum home size
960 square feet for a single-family dwelling in A-1, R-1 and R-2789
RV living
Not confirmed; ask City Hall before relying on an RV as housing10
Owner-builder
A qualifying owner-occupant may apply without contractor certification; permits still apply11

Who to call

Building permits

City of Elroy City Hall

Building-permit paperwork and questions for projects inside Elroy

(608) 462-2400

1717 Omaha Street, Elroy, Wisconsin 53929

Online permits →

Septic permits

Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning Department

Sanitary permits and plan review, shoreland building permits and floodplain questions in Juneau County

608-847-9391

[email protected]

650 Prairie Street Mauston, WI 53948

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Elroy, Wisconsin?

Yes. Elroy requires a building permit for a new house, garage, storage shed, pool, porch or deck and for listed alteration, electrical, heating and plumbing work.1 The city's list is not exhaustive, so contact City Hall when the exact project is not listed.1

New one- and two-family dwellings also require a permit under Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code, including stick-built, modular and manufactured-home installations.12 Required inspections apply to new one- and two-family dwellings, and the applicant calls the inspector identified on the UDC permit when work is ready.13 A qualifying owner-occupant may apply without Dwelling Contractor Certification, but that pathway does not waive the required permit.11

Who issues building permits in Elroy?

Start with Elroy City Hall at 1717 Omaha Street or call (608) 462-2400 for building-permit paperwork and questions.14 The city also publishes permit forms and directs applicants to apply for a building permit through General Engineering.15

Confirm which form fits the work before submitting, because the city publishes separate materials for in-house work, commercial work, general building work and a new home.3 The available city guide says minor work such as same-size door or window replacement, roofing shingles, storm windows, minor repairs, flooring and private sidewalks is commonly exempt, but the guide directs uncertain applicants to the building inspector.1 Current ordinary building-permit fee amounts were not confirmed, so ask City Hall or General Engineering for the current charge before budgeting.

Does Elroy have zoning, and what are the lot and home-size rules?

Yes. Elroy administers zoning inside the city and publishes A-1 Agricultural, B-1 Business/Commercial, I-1 Industrial, R-1 Single-Family Residential and R-2 Single- and Two-Family Residential districts.16 The parcel's district matters because dimensional rules differ.

In R-1, a lot needs at least 7,200 square feet of area and 50 feet of width, while the minimum single-family dwelling floor area is 960 square feet.178 R-1 setbacks are 15 feet in front, 10 feet on each side and 10 feet in the rear; a corner lot needs 15 feet on both sides.18 In A-1, a lot needs at least 5 acres and 100 feet of width, and the minimum single-family dwelling floor area is also 960 square feet.197 A-1 setbacks are 25 feet in front, 15 feet on each side and 30 feet in the rear.20 In R-2, the principal-building height limit is 35 feet and the accessory-building limit is 15 feet.21

How do septic permits work inside Elroy?

Juneau County administers local sanitary permitting for private onsite wastewater systems in Elroy, while Wisconsin DSPS reviews plans when state plan approval is required.4 A sanitary permit must be obtained before installing or constructing a structure that requires a private sewage system or non-plumbing sanitation system.6 The County permit application for each private sewage system must be signed by a licensed plumber.6

A private sewage system that is installed, modified or reconnected must remain subject to County inspection and approval before its permit card is removed.22 Juneau County also requires a County privy permit before a privy is installed.23 Only 0.5% of Juneau County soils rate without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so complete the soil and site evaluation early in the purchase process.24

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Elroy?

We could not confirm an Elroy rule that specifically allows long-term RV occupancy or temporary camping on an ordinary private lot. Ask City Hall how the parcel's zoning district treats the proposed RV use before buying land or relying on a recreational vehicle as housing. Elroy's zoning districts and land-use matrix govern uses inside the city, but the reviewed material does not resolve residential RV occupancy.25

We also could not confirm a separate tiny-home classification. A tiny home used as a new dwelling still falls within the building-permit process, and a single-family dwelling in the city's A-1, R-1 or R-2 districts has a minimum floor area of 960 square feet.26789 Ask City Hall to confirm the district, use classification and whether a proposed unit qualifies as a dwelling before purchase or placement.

Building a home in Elroy: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm the parcel's Elroy zoning district, allowed use, minimum lot area and setbacks with City Hall before finalizing a design.10
  2. Determine whether the lot will use public sewer or a private onsite system; for a private system, obtain the Juneau County sanitary permit before construction of the structure requiring it.6
  3. Obtain the building-permit paperwork from City Hall and follow Elroy's link to General Engineering for building-permit processing.143
  4. Submit the plans and required application materials, then wait until the applicable permit has been issued before starting covered work.1
  5. Call the inspector identified on the UDC permit at each required inspection stage for a new one- or two-family dwelling.13
  6. If the parcel is in a mapped floodplain, obtain the Juneau County land use permit before any development, including sewer and water facilities, and confirm any shoreland zoning permit with the Sanitation & Zoning Department; these county approvals are separate from the city building permit.52728

What should you check before buying land in Elroy?

Verify the parcel's city zoning district first, because Elroy's minimum lot size, setbacks and building height vary by district.16 In R-1, the principal-building height limit is 35 feet and the accessory-building limit is 15 feet.29 In A-1, those limits are 35 feet and 20 feet, but structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes have no height limit under the cited district rule.30

Check wastewater feasibility before treating vacant land as buildable: only 0.5% of Juneau County soils rate without severe limitations for a conventional drain field.24 Ask Juneau County about mapped floodplain and shoreland jurisdiction as well as sanitary permitting; in shoreland areas, buildings generally must sit at least 75 feet from the ordinary highwater mark of navigable waters, and a zoning permit is required before construction starts.31 Also ask Elroy City Hall about driveway access, public water or sewer connection and any parcel-specific approval that was not confirmed in the published material.2814 Juneau County's effective property-tax rate is 1.5%, and its median annual property-tax bill is $2,517.3233

Watch-outs

  • Elroy's zoning rules vary by district; do not apply the R-1 lot and setback numbers to an A-1 parcel.1719
  • A city building permit does not replace the Juneau County sanitary permit required for a private sewage system.6
  • Long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, driveway access and mandatory public-utility connections were not confirmed; ask City Hall before relying on any of them.14

Sources

  1. When Do I Need a Building Permit? (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Elroy Ordinances (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  3. Licenses, Permits and Applications (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  4. Juneau County Chapter 15 - Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  5. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  6. Juneau County Chapter 15 - Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sec. 10-5-21 A-1 Agricultural District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  8. Sec. 10-5-22 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  9. Sec. 10-5-23 R-2 Single- and Two-Family Residential District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  10. Zoning - Ordinances - Elroy, WI (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  11. Instructions for Submitting a UDC Permit Application (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  12. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  13. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Elroy City Hall (elroywi.com)
  15. Licenses, Permits and Applications (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  16. Zoning - City of Elroy (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  17. Sec. 10-5-22 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  18. Sec. 10-5-22 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  19. Sec. 10-5-21 A-1 Agricultural District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  20. Sec. 10-5-21 A-1 Agricultural District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  21. Sec. 10-5-23 R-2 Single- and Two-Family Residential District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  22. Juneau County Chapter 15 - Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  23. Juneau County Chapter 15 - Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  24. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Zoning - Ordinances - Elroy, WI (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  26. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  27. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  28. Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning Department (co.juneau.wi.gov)
  29. Sec. 10-5-22 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  30. Sec. 10-5-21 A-1 Agricultural District (Elroy), quoted and re-checked
  31. General Shoreland Zoning Provisions, quoted and re-checked
  32. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Elroy

Elroy’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New houses and listed construction, alteration, electrical, heating and plumbing work inside Elroy city limits.

    • The city guide states that the list is not total and directs applicants to the building inspector when unsure.
    • The guide lists exceptions or commonly exempt minor work, including same-size doors and windows, roofing shingles, storm windows, minor repairs, flooring and private sidewalks.
    “When your project involves: [...] Building a new house, garage, storage shed, pool, porch or deck [...] Ordinances and State Statues require building permits.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Zoning administered by Elroy city inside its city limits.

    • The city website states that the listed ordinances are only a partial list of the complete code.
    “A-1 Agricultural B-1 Business/Commercial I-1 Industrial R1 Single Family Residential R2 Single and Two Family Residential”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Zoning inside Elroy city limits.
      “Zoning A-1 Agricultural B-1 Business/Commercial I-1 Industrial R1 Single Family Residential R2 Single and Two Family Residential Land Use Matrix”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Published zoning districts inside Elroy city limits.

    • The city zoning page identifies A-1 Agricultural, B-1 Business/Commercial, I-1 Industrial, R-1 Single-Family Residential, and R-2 Single- and Two-Family Residential districts.
    “A-1 Agricultural B-1 Business/Commercial I-1 Industrial R1 Single Family Residential R2 Single and Two Family Residential”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Published Elroy zoning districts and land-use matrix.
      “A-1 Agricultural B-1 Business/Commercial I-1 Industrial R1 Single Family Residential R2 Single and Two Family Residential Land Use Matrix”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Principal buildings in Elroy city's A-1 Agricultural District.

    • The cited dimensional requirements apply unless otherwise designated in the chapter.

    minimum floor area, single-family dwelling: >= 960 square feet · minimum floor area, two-family dwelling: >= 1920 square feet

    “(7) Minimum Floor Area of Principal Buildings. Nine hundred sixty (960) square feet for a single-family dwelling, and one thousand nine hundred twenty (1,920) square feet for a two-family dwelling.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Principal buildings in Elroy city's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.
      “(6) Minimum Floor Area of Principal Buildings. Nine hundred sixty (960) square feet for a single-family dwelling, and one thousand nine hundred twenty (1,920) square feet for a two-family dwelling.”
    • Specified — Single-family dwellings in Elroy R-2 Single- and Two-Family Residential District.
      “Minimum Floor Area of Principal Buildings. Nine hundred sixty (960) square feet for a single-family dwelling, and one thousand nine hundred twenty (1,920) square feet for a two-family dwelling.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in Elroy city's A-1 Agricultural District.

    • The cited dimensional requirements apply unless otherwise designated in the chapter.

    minimum lot area: >= 5 acres · minimum lot width: >= 100 feet

    “(4) Minimum Lot Area. Five (5) acres. (5) Minimum Lot Width. One hundred (100) feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Yard setbacks in Elroy city's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    • Corner lots require fifteen feet on both sides.
    • The cited dimensional requirements apply unless otherwise designated in the chapter.

    front setback: >= 15 feet · side setback, each side: >= 10 feet · rear setback: >= 10 feet · corner lot setback, both sides: >= 15 feet

    “(1) Minimum Front Yard Setback. Fifteen (15) feet. (2) Minimum Side Yard Setback. Ten (10) feet on each side. (3) Minimum Rear Yard Setback. Ten (10) feet. (8) Minimum Corner Lot Setback. Fifteen (15) feet both sides on a corner lot.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Yard setbacks in Elroy city's A-1 Agricultural District.
      “(1) Minimum Front Yard Setback. Twenty-five (25) feet. (2) Minimum Side Yard Setback. Fifteen (15) feet on each side. (3) Minimum Rear Yard Setback. Thirty (30) feet.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in Elroy city's A-1 Agricultural District.

    • Agricultural-purpose buildings or structures have no height limit under the cited exception.
    • The cited dimensional requirements apply unless otherwise designated in the chapter.

    principal building height: <= 35 feet (No height limit for buildings or structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes.) · accessory building height: <= 20 feet (No height limit for buildings or structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes.)

    “(8) Maximum Building Height. Thirty-five (35) feet for the principal building and twenty (20) feet for an accessory building, provided, however, that there shall be no height limit for buildings or structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Buildings in Elroy city's R-1 Single-Family Residential District.
      “(7) Maximum Building Height. Thirty-five (35) feet for the principal building and fifteen (15) feet for an accessory building.”
    • Specified — Principal and accessory buildings in Elroy R-2 Single- and Two-Family Residential District.
      “Maximum Building Height. Thirty-five (35) feet for the principal building and fifteen (15) feet for an accessory building.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Permit and development fees published by Elroy city.

    • The opened schedule is Resolution No. 1072, 2020 Fee Schedule; newer fees may exist.

    floodplain permit fee: 100 USD · conditional use permit fee: 150 USD · variance fee: 150 USD · rezoning fee: 150 USD

    “Conditional Use Permit $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit process inside Elroy city limits.

    • Permit materials are available through City Hall and the city directs applicants to General Engineering.
    • The city guide directs applicants to contact the building inspector if unsure whether a permit is required.
    “Use this link to apply for a building permit through General Engineering.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Building-permit application process inside Elroy city limits.
      “Use this link to apply for a building permit through General Engineering.”

Rules another office applies inside Elroy

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

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-occupants seeking to obtain an erosion-control or construction permit for a dwelling inside Elroy city without a Dwelling Contractor Certification.

    • The applicant must be or will be the owner-occupant of the dwelling.
    • The applicant leaves the Dwelling Contractor and Qualifier fields blank.
    • The applicant must read the cautionary statement regarding contractor responsibility and check the owner-occupant attestation.
    • This is a permit-process pathway and does not eliminate the requirement to obtain the applicable permit.
    “You will leave those areas blank. At Step 5, you will check the box above your electronic signature which states “I vouch that I am or will be an owner-occupant of this dwelling for which I am applying for an erosion control or construction permit without a Dwelling Contractor Certification and have read the cautionary statement regarding contractor responsibility on the reverse side of the last ply of this form.””
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    New one- and two-family dwellings inside Elroy city limits under Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code.

    • The UDC is SPS 320-325.
    • Local enforcement depends on municipal delegation; if the municipality lacks authority, DSPS processes the application.
    “A permit under the UDC is required for new one- and two-family dwelling units. This includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New one- and two-family dwellings inside Elroy city limits.

    • The enforcing agency may be Elroy or DSPS depending on delegation.
    “The following inspections are required on new one- and two-family dwellings. When ready for inspection, notify the inspector identified on your UDC permit.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private onsite wastewater systems inside Elroy city limits.

    • Juneau County issues or administers sanitary permitting and inspection requirements locally.
    • Wisconsin DSPS reviews POWTS plans where state plan approval is required; the DSPS page states approval is pending local permitting requirements.
    “Sanitary Permit. The term sanitary permit as used in this ordinance shall mean a County Sanitary Permit, a State Sanitary Permit or both.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewage systems and non-plumbing sanitation systems serving property inside Elroy city limits.

    • A separate complete application signed by a licensed plumber is required for every private sewage system.
    • The permit must be obtained before installation, establishment or construction of a structure requiring a private sewage or non-plumbing sanitation system.
    • A permit is not required for addition of manhole risers or replacement of manhole covers, risers, baffles, filters or pumps.
    • Starting before the permit doubles the permit fee and may lead to citation or enforcement.
    “A sanitary permit shall be obtained by the property owner, his agent or contractor, in the name of the property owner, prior to the installation, establishment or construction of any structure that requires a private sewage system or non-plumbing sanitation system.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage systems installed, modified or reconnected inside Elroy city limits.

    • The county permit card may not be removed until the system has been installed, inspected and approved by the County.
    • County review may require soil-and-site evaluation, floodplain or wetland delineation, and corrections before approval.
    “The permit card may not be removed until the private sewage system has been installed, inspected, and approved by the County.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Non-plumbing sanitation systems inside Elroy city limits.

    • Juneau County's official application covers vault privies, pit privies, compost toilets, portable toilets and transfer tanks.
    • A County sanitary permit is required before constructing or installing a non-plumbing sanitation system.
    • The application requires a site map and responsibility statement.
    “Prior to installation of a privy a County Privy Permit shall be obtained.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Elroy city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Elroy city zoning districts.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy inside Elroy city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Elroy city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Elroy city limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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 Elroy publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Juneau County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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