Bolthole Index

Juneau County, Wisconsin

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in the Town of Kingston, Wisconsin

New one- and two-family homes in the Town of Kingston, Juneau County, require a Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code building permit, including stick-built, modular and manufactured-home installations.1 Kingston is a delegated municipality, so applicants use the town or its designated inspector; Juneau County separately handles sanitary permits and specialized shoreland and floodplain zoning.234

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new one- and two-family homes1
Building inspections
Required through the UDC inspector named on the permit5
Shoreland zoning
County rules and permits apply in covered shoreland areas6
Septic
A county sanitary permit is required for new systems and specified system work78
Floodplain development
A county land-use permit is required before covered work begins9
Owner-builder
Available to a qualifying owner-occupant without waiving permits or inspections10
Manufactured homes
New installations are included in the UDC permit requirement1

Who to call

Zoning

Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning Department

Juneau County land-use, shoreland, floodplain and sanitary-permit questions

608-847-9391

[email protected]

650 Prairie Street Mauston, WI 53948

Zoning

Juneau County Shoreland Zoning

Shoreland zoning and shoreland building permits in covered areas of Juneau County

Septic permits

Juneau County Sanitation

Sanitary permits for private onsite wastewater systems in Juneau County

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Kingston, Wisconsin?

Yes. A Wisconsin UDC building permit is required for a new one- or two-family dwelling in the Town of Kingston, including a stick-built, modular or manufactured-home installation.1 The UDC also governs construction standards for those homes.11 Required inspections include footings, foundation and reinforcement, rough work, insulation and a final inspection; notify the inspector identified on the UDC permit when each stage is ready.5

Kingston is listed as a delegated municipality, so the practical starting point is the town or its designated building inspector rather than assuming Juneau County issues the UDC permit.2 A sanitary permit must come before the local building permit when the home will use private sewage, and county shoreland or floodplain approval may also apply to the site.124

Who handles building and land-use approvals in the Town of Kingston?

For a covered home project, contact the Town of Kingston or its designated UDC inspector for the building permit and inspection path because Kingston has delegated UDC authority.2 The application calls for contractor information, plans, site and erosion-control material, energy documentation and the permit fee.2

Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning is the separate contact for county shoreland, floodplain and sanitary-permit questions.13 The department lists its office at 650 Prairie Street in Mauston and can be reached at 608-847-9391.13 County floodplain fees vary under a schedule available from that office.14 General town zoning was not confirmed, so ask the town whether a parcel has town zoning, a land-use approval, setbacks or a local fee schedule before designing around county approvals alone.

Does the Town of Kingston have zoning?

General Town of Kingston zoning could not be confirmed. A buyer should not interpret the absence of a published town code as permission for an RV residence, tiny home, accessory dwelling, particular lot size or particular setback. Ask the town which local land-use rules apply to the parcel and proposed use.

Juneau County administers specialized shoreland, wetland and floodplain zoning rather than confirmed general countywide zoning.4 In county shoreland jurisdiction, the water setback is generally 75 feet, with side yards of at least 10 feet on one side and 25 feet in total; road setbacks also vary by road class.15 Shoreland lots without public sewer generally need 20,000 square feet and 100 feet of water-edge frontage, while sewered lots generally need 10,000 square feet and 65 feet of frontage.1617 These are shoreland rules, not confirmed minimums for the rest of Kingston.

How do septic permits work inside the Town of Kingston?

Juneau County requires a sanitary permit for a new private onsite wastewater system and for replacement, modification, repair, reconnection and listed non-plumbing systems.8 The county application must be completed by a licensed plumber.8 A building using private sewage must receive its sanitary permit before a local building permit is issued.12

Juneau County has delegated plan-review authority for at-grade and mound systems designed at no more than 1,000 gallons per day.3 Designs outside those delegated categories, including individual site designs, go to Wisconsin DSPS for review, while the local sanitary permit still follows approved plan review.18 Installation inspections are required through the permit-issuing agency.19 Only 0.5% of Juneau County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the soil evaluation and septic design an early purchase contingency.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Town of Kingston?

We could not confirm a Town of Kingston rule that allows or prohibits long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land. Ask the town about the proposed residential use, duration, placement and any local zoning or occupancy approval before buying or moving a unit onto the parcel.

A tiny home used as a new dwelling does not escape the known building-permit framework merely because it is small: new one- and two-family homes need a UDC permit, and manufactured-home installations are included.1 A private sewage arrangement also needs the applicable sanitary approval before the local building permit.12 Juneau County limits camping equipment in floodplain campgrounds and requires county approval for those campgrounds, but those rules do not answer whether someone may live in an RV on an ordinary private parcel.21

Building a home in the Town of Kingston: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Town of Kingston to confirm the parcel's local zoning, allowed residential use, setbacks, driveway requirements and its designated UDC inspector.
  2. Check Juneau County shoreland and floodplain maps before fixing the house site; covered floodplain work needs a county land-use permit before it begins.9
  3. Arrange a soil and site evaluation early if the home will use private sewage, because Juneau County soils are overwhelmingly rated as severely limited for a conventional drain field.20
  4. Have the licensed plumber complete the county sanitary-permit application and obtain that permit before the local building permit.812
  5. Submit the UDC application package to the town or its designated inspector, including the required plans and project documentation.2
  6. Schedule the required construction inspections with the inspector named on the permit.5

What should you check before buying land in the Town of Kingston?

Start with three parcel-specific questions: whether the town allows the intended use, whether county shoreland or floodplain rules cover the building area, and whether the soils can support an affordable private wastewater design. General Kingston zoning, minimum dwelling size, driveway approval and residential RV use could not be confirmed, so get those answers from the town before making the purchase unconditional.

For county overlays, contact Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning and bring the parcel number and a sketch of the proposed house, access and wastewater area.13 Floodplain districts and boundaries come from official maps, and covered development requires a land-use permit before work begins.2223 Juneau County's effective property-tax rate is 1.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $2,517; treat both as county-level context rather than a quote for a particular Kingston parcel.2425

Watch-outs

  • New stick-built, modular and manufactured-home installations require a UDC building permit in the Town of Kingston.1
  • A Juneau County land-use permit is required before covered development in a mapped floodplain begins.26
  • A sanitary permit must come before the local building permit when a building uses private sewage.12

Sources

  1. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Town of Kingston), quoted and re-checked
  2. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Town of Kingston), quoted and re-checked
  3. Delegated Agents for Private On-Site Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  4. Sanitation & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  5. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Town of Kingston), quoted and re-checked
  6. Juneau County Shoreland Zoning (co.juneau.wi.gov)
  7. Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) (Town of Kingston), quoted and re-checked
  8. Juneau County Sanitation (co.juneau.wi.gov)
  9. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. Instructions for Submitting a UDC Permit Application (Town of Kingston), quoted and re-checked
  11. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Town of Kingston), quoted and re-checked
  12. Requirement for Plan Review Prior to Issuing Local Permits, quoted and re-checked
  13. Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning Department (co.juneau.wi.gov)
  14. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  15. General Shoreland Zoning Provisions, quoted and re-checked
  16. Juneau County Code, Appendix A, Sec. 3.1 — Lots not served by public sanitary sewer, quoted and re-checked
  17. Juneau County Code, Appendix A, Sec. 3.2 — Lots served by public sanitary sewer, quoted and re-checked
  18. Juneau County POWTS Plan Review Delegation Letter, quoted and re-checked
  19. Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) (Town of Kingston), quoted and re-checked
  20. 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
  21. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  22. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 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 Town of Kingston

Town of Kingston’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

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

    • Town of Kingston, Juneau County is listed by DSPS as a delegated municipality.
    • The permit is required under the statewide UDC; construction may proceed only after the applicable permit process and approvals.
    “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 Kingston town.

    • Required inspections are footings, foundation and foundation reinforcement, rough construction, insulation, and final inspection.
    • The applicant must notify the inspector identified on the UDC permit.
    • Kingston town is listed as a delegated UDC municipality.
    “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 septicCounty (with conditions)

    POWTS plan review inside Kingston town for Juneau County-delegated system types: at-grade systems up to 1,000 gallons per day and mound systems up to 1,000 gallons per day.

    • Juneau County is the delegated plan-review authority for the listed system types.
    • The DSPS page directs applicants to contact the county when the county has delegated authority.
    • This claim does not establish that Juneau County reviews every POWTS type.

    design flow: <= 1000 gpd (Applies separately to at-grade and mound systems.)

    “County of Juneau (29999) | PDF Letter | At-grade systems ≤ 1,000 gpd Mound systems ≤ 1,000 gpd”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Kingston

Town of Kingston 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 exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A homeowner seeking to act as general contractor for an owner-occupied UDC dwelling inside Kingston town.

    • The applicant must be or will be an owner-occupant of the dwelling.
    • The owner-occupant may apply for an erosion-control or construction permit without Dwelling Contractor Certification.
    • The exemption does not eliminate the building permit or inspection requirements.
    “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)

    Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code requirements for new one- and two-family dwellings inside Kingston town.

    • The UDC covers one- and two-family dwelling units, including manufactured homes.
    • Permit and inspection authority is delegated to the municipality when the municipality is listed as delegated.
    “The program governing one- and two-family dwelling units (including manufactured homes) is also called the UDC program, referring to the Uniform Dwelling Code.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New one- and two-family dwelling construction inside Kingston town, including stick-built, modular, and manufactured-home installations.
      “A permit under the UDC is required for new one- and two-family dwelling units. This includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations.”
    • Adopted — One- and two-family dwelling construction inside Kingston town under Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code.
      “The program governing one- and two-family dwelling units (including manufactured homes) is also called the UDC program, referring to the Uniform Dwelling Code. Enforces construction standards and inspection procedures including evaluation of building materials.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings and premises in floodplain-regulated areas inside Kingston town under the Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance.

    • The certificate is required before occupancy unless no permit is required.
    • The application is concurrent with the permit application.
    • If all ordinance provisions are met, issuance is within 10 days after written notification that permitted work is completed.

    issuance deadline: 10 days (after written notification that permitted work is completed)

    “No land shall be occupied or used, and no building which is hereafter constructed, altered, added to, modified, repaired, rebuilt or replaced shall be occupied until a certificate of compliance is issued by the zoning administrator, except where no permit is required, subject to the following provisions:”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings and structures in unincorporated shoreland areas inside Kingston town.

    • The 75-foot rule is measured from the ordinary high water mark.
    • Exceptions include piers, boat-hoists, fishing rafts, utilities, walkways, stairways or rail systems, decks or gazebos complying with section 59.692(1v), and boathouses.
    • Setback averaging may allow new homes closer than 75 feet where an existing development pattern exists.

    shoreland setback: >= 75 feet from ordinary high water mark (Listed shoreland exceptions and setback averaging)

    “All buildings and structures must be set back at least 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark. Exceptions to the 75-foot setback include piers, boat-hoists, fishing rafts, utilities, walkways, stairways or rail systems, decks or gazebos complying with s. 59.692(1v) and boathouses. "Set back averaging" - if an existing pattern of development exists, counties may allow new homes to be built closer than 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Unincorporated shoreland lots inside Kingston town.

    • The baseline maximum is 15 percent impervious surface coverage.
    • A lot may reach 30 percent impervious surfaces with shoreland mitigation.
    • Existing impervious surfaces may be maintained, repaired, relocated, and reconstructed subject to other county standards.

    maximum impervious surface coverage: <= 15 percent of lot (Up to 30 percent with shoreland mitigation) · maximum impervious surface coverage with mitigation: <= 30 percent of lot (Shoreland mitigation required)

    “up to 15 percent of their lot in impervious surfaces.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or construction of private onsite wastewater treatment systems inside Kingston town.

    • Local permitting remains required or may be required depending on the project and local authority.
    • Plans must comply with DSPS requirements before construction permission is granted.
    “a local permit is conditional on an approved plan review.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Any building inside Kingston town that uses a private sewage system.
      “State statutes require any building that uses a private sewage system to have a sanitary permit for such a system before any local permit is issued.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    POWTS construction and installation inside Kingston town.

    • Inspection is performed by the agency that issued the POWTS permit.
    • The inspection requirement is tied to the plan-review conditional approval letter.
    “Inspection of POWTS construction and installation is required”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — POWTS construction and installation inside Kingston town.
      “Inspection of POWTS construction and installation is required in accordance with the plan review conditional approval letter. Contact the agency that issued your POWTS permit.”
    • Required — Private onsite wastewater treatment systems inside Kingston town subject to the Juneau County ordinance.
      “These POWTS shall be inspected by the Zoning Department for compliance with chs. SPS 382, SPS 383, SPS 384, and SPS 391, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and other appropriate Wisconsin Statues and Administrative Codes and this ordinance.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development, repair, modification, addition, or change in use inside Juneau County floodplain areas located within Kingston town.

    • A Juneau County floodplain land-use permit is required before work begins.
    • The ordinance is titled the Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance and states an approval date and effective date of March 21, 2023.
    • The application is made to the zoning administrator; floodplain district and map-specific requirements apply.
    • A certificate of compliance is required before occupancy of covered buildings, except where no permit is required.
    “A land use permit shall be obtained before any development”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Development in floodplain-regulated areas inside Kingston town.
      “A land use permit shall be obtained before any development; repair, modification or addition to an existing structure; or change in the use of a building or structure, including sewer and water facilities, may be initiated.”
    • Required — Development in Juneau County-regulated floodplain areas inside Kingston town.
      “A land use permit shall be obtained before any development; repair, modification or addition to an existing structure; or change in the use of a building or structure, including sewer and water facilities, may be initiated.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    UDC permit process for new one- and two-family dwellings inside Kingston town.

    • Because Kingston town is listed as delegated, applicants should use the municipality or its designated inspector for the delegated scope.
    • The application requires plans, contractor information, site and erosion-control plan, floor plan, elevations, REScheck, truss plans, water calculation, wall-bracing worksheet, and permit application fee.
    “If the municipality covering your project location has been delegated authority to issue permits, and the project is not for a state-owned building or land, contact the municipality directly.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Local zoning — Land inside Kingston town, Wisconsin.
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Kingston town.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Kingston town.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Kingston town.
  • Building height — Building height inside Kingston town.
13 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • 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 Kingston publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Juneau County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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