Bolthole Index

Juneau County, Wisconsin

Building permits, zoning and land rules in the Town of Wonewoc, Wisconsin

New one- and two-family homes in the Town of Wonewoc, Juneau County, require a Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code building permit, including stick-built, modular and manufactured-home installations.1 Juneau County handles ordinary sanitary permits and certain septic plan reviews, while mapped floodplain and shoreland sites can need separate county approval.234 The current town building-permit contact and complete land-use ordinance could not be confirmed, so ask the Town before committing to a site plan.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new one- and two-family dwellings1
Building code
Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code applies5
Septic
Juneau County sanitary permit required26
County zoning
Floodplain and shoreland rules apply in mapped areas4
Owner-builder
Available when the owner lives or will live in the dwelling7
Private well
Advance Wisconsin DNR notice required for a typical new private well8

Who to call

Zoning

Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning Department

Sanitary permits and applicable shoreland and floodplain zoning in Juneau County

608-847-9391

[email protected]

650 Prairie Street Mauston, WI 53948

Septic permits

Juneau County Sanitation

Sanitary permits for private onsite wastewater and non-plumbing sanitation systems

Zoning

Juneau County Shoreland Zoning

Shoreland building permits and county shoreland rules

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 Wonewoc 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 Wonewoc, WI?

Yes. A Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code building permit is required for a new one- or two-family dwelling in the Town of Wonewoc, including a stick-built, modular or manufactured-home installation.1 The statewide code supplies construction standards and inspection procedures for those dwellings.9

Permit administration depends on delegated authority, and the available official listing did not identify the Town's current issuer.10 Ask the Town who receives the application before preparing the submittal. The application must include the permit form, contractor-license information, building plans, required data and the fee.11 Required inspections cover footings, foundation and reinforcement, rough construction, insulation and the final inspection; notify the inspector identified on the permit.12

Who issues building permits in the Town of Wonewoc?

The Town of Wonewoc's current building-permit issuer and application channel could not be confirmed. Wisconsin directs an applicant to the municipality when it has delegated authority; otherwise the UDC application goes to the state.13 Start with the Town and ask for the current UDC inspector, application, fee schedule and submission instructions.

A UDC building permit does not settle every site approval. Juneau County is the identified authority for private onsite wastewater and non-plumbing sanitation systems in the Town.2 County shoreland and floodplain rules are specialized overlays rather than proof of complete general county zoning.4 For land near water or in a mapped floodplain, contact the Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning Department before construction.14

Does the Town of Wonewoc have zoning and lot-size rules?

A current official Town of Wonewoc land-use ordinance, zoning map and district schedule could not be confirmed. Ask the Town to verify the parcel's present district, allowed use, setbacks, height limits and lot coverage before purchase. An older planning document describes a general 3-acre minimum lot size and at least 100 feet of public-road frontage, but it is not a substitute for the current ordinance.15

Juneau County separately administers shoreland, wetland and floodplain rules in the areas those ordinances cover.4 County shoreland jurisdiction reaches land within 1,000 feet of a lake or flowage, within 300 feet of a navigable river or stream, and all floodplains; construction there needs approval before work starts.16 In county shoreland jurisdiction, the general water setback is 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark.17

How do septic permits work inside the Town of Wonewoc?

Juneau County, rather than the Town of Wonewoc, is the identified authority for private onsite wastewater and non-plumbing sanitation systems.2 A sanitary permit must be obtained before a building using a private sewage system receives any local permit.18 County Sanitation lists sanitary permits for new installations, replacements, modifications, repairs, reconnections and non-plumbing systems, and says a licensed plumber must complete the application.19

Juneau County has delegated plan-review authority for qualifying at-grade and mound systems designed for no more than 1,000 gallons per day.3 Projects outside those delegated categories, including individual site designs that do not fully meet an approved component manual or product approval, go to Wisconsin DSPS for plan review.20 POWTS construction and installation must be inspected under the plan-review approval.21

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

We could not confirm a current Town of Wonewoc rule that allows residential RV occupancy, temporary camping on private land or occupancy of a tiny home. Ask the Town about the proposed use, the parcel's land-use district and whether a unit on wheels is treated differently from a dwelling on a permanent foundation. The county floodplain campground rules do not answer whether an RV may be occupied on an ordinary private parcel; they apply specifically to campgrounds in regulated floodplain areas.22

A tiny home used as a new dwelling does not escape the confirmed dwelling rules merely because it is small: new one- and two-family dwellings, including manufactured-home installations, require a UDC permit.23 Off-grid sanitation also is not permit-free; Juneau County requires a County Sanitary Permit before a non-plumbing sanitation system is constructed or installed.24

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

  1. Ask the Town to confirm the parcel's current land-use district, buildable area, setbacks and UDC permit issuer.
  2. Check whether county shoreland or mapped floodplain rules affect the site; a county land-use permit is required before development, repair, modification, additions or changes in use begin in regulated floodplain areas.25
  3. Arrange septic plan review with Juneau County or Wisconsin DSPS as the system type requires, then obtain the local sanitary permit.320
  4. Submit the UDC application, contractor information, plans, required data and fee through the authorized agency identified by the Town.11
  5. Notify the inspector listed on the UDC permit as each required construction stage becomes ready.26
  6. If the site needs a new ordinary private well, give the Wisconsin DNR advance notice before construction.8

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

Confirm the parcel's jurisdiction, current land-use rules, legal access and buildable envelope with the Town before treating the older planning document's lot standard as the complete answer. The document describes a 3-acre minimum and 100 feet of public-road frontage, but the current district schedule was not located.15

Investigate wastewater feasibility early. Only 0.5% of Juneau County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so site evaluation can materially affect system choice and cost.27 Check the flood map too, because the county ordinance regulates areas covered by the regional or base flood shown on the FIRM or other DNR-approved maps.28 For a new ordinary private well, budget for the $50.50 DNR notification fee.8

Watch-outs

  • Do not rely on the planning document's general lot standard alone: the current Town ordinance, district map and dimensional schedule could not be confirmed.15
  • A County Sanitary Permit is required before constructing or installing a non-plumbing sanitation system.24
  • A county land-use permit is required before development begins in mapped areas governed by the Juneau County floodplain ordinance.29

Sources

  1. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  2. Juneau County Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance (Town of Wonewoc), 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 Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  6. Juneau County Chapter 15 Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  7. Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  8. Well and heat exchange notification (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  9. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  10. Town of Wonewoc Comprehensive Plan (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  11. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  12. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  13. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  14. Juneau County Sanitation & Zoning Department (co.juneau.wi.gov)
  15. Town of Wonewoc Comprehensive Plan (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  16. Juneau County Shoreland Zoning (co.juneau.wi.gov)
  17. General Shoreland Zoning Provisions, quoted and re-checked
  18. Requirement for Plan Review Prior to Issuing Local Permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. Juneau County Sanitation (co.juneau.wi.gov)
  20. Juneau County POWTS Plan Review Delegation Letter, quoted and re-checked
  21. Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  22. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings) (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  24. Juneau County non-plumbing sanitation permit requirement (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  25. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  26. UDC inspection requirements (Town of Wonewoc), quoted and re-checked
  27. 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
  28. Juneau County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  29. 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 Wonewoc

Town of Wonewoc’s own rules

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots inside Wonewoc town under the Town Land Use Ordinance

    • The available source states a general three-acre minimum and a 100-foot public-road frontage requirement; district-specific exceptions were not located.

    minimum lot size: >= 3 acre · public-road frontage: >= 100 feet

    “The ordinance establishes a three-acre minimum lot size, and a 100-foot frontage requirement on a public road.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building-permit process inside Wonewoc town

    • The Town Land Use Ordinance is described as requiring building permits, while the UDC supplies statewide application and inspection requirements.
    • The current local application, submission address, fee schedule, and delegated inspection agreement were not located.
    “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.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Wonewoc

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

  • Building permitRequired

    New one- and two-family dwelling units inside Wonewoc town

    • Includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured-home installations.
    • Permit issuer depends on delegated local authority or DSPS.
    “A permit under the UDC is required for new one- and two-family dwelling units. This includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An owner-builder working on a dwelling inside Wonewoc town.

    • The owner must reside or intend to reside in the dwelling and apply for a building permit to work on that dwelling.
    “Per Wisconsin Administrative code the above does not apply to an owner of a dwelling who resides or will reside in the dwelling and who applies for a building permit to work on that dwelling.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    New one- and two-family dwellings inside the Town of Wonewoc, including manufactured homes.

    • The Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code program is identified as SPS 320-325.
    • Permit and inspection authority may be municipal or state depending on delegation.
    “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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New one- and two-family dwellings inside Wonewoc town
      “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.”
    • Adopted — New one- and two-family dwellings, including manufactured homes, inside Wonewoc 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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New one- and two-family dwellings inside Wonewoc town.

    • Required inspections are footings, foundation and foundation reinforcement, rough work including electrical, plumbing, HVAC and framing, insulation, and final inspection.
    • The applicant must notify the inspector identified on the UDC permit.
    “The following inspections are required on new one- and two-family dwellings. When ready for inspection, notify the inspector identified on your UDC permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New one- and two-family dwelling construction inside Wonewoc town
      “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 treatment systems inside Wonewoc town.

    • POWTS plans are reviewed by DSPS.
    • Large or qualifying systems may require joint DNR and DSPS review.
    • Systems discharging directly to surface waters or exposing treated wastewater are subject to DNR regulation.
    “subject to review by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), or may require a joint review by the DNR and DSPS.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • County — Private onsite wastewater systems and non-plumbing sanitation systems inside Wonewoc town; Juneau County is the identified county authority.
      “County. The County Authority; the Juneau County Zoning Department.”
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Private onsite wastewater systems inside Wonewoc town
      “The table identifies the agencies that are delegated the primary responsibility to perform POWTS plan reviews under SPS 383.23. Note that per SPS 383.22(1)(a), plan reviews may be submitted to either the delegated agency or DSPS.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or construction of a POWTS inside Wonewoc town.

    • Plans must be submitted for installation or construction and for replacement or addition of treatment, holding, and dispersal components.
    • Local permitting requirements remain applicable after conditional plan approval.
    “However, a local permit is conditional on an approved plan review.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Installation, construction, replacement, or modification of a POWTS serving land inside Wonewoc town
      “See the local municipality or county covering your project location. However, a local permit is conditional on an approved plan review.”
    • Required — Structures and private sewage or non-plumbing sanitation systems inside Wonewoc town.
      “A sanitary permit shall be obtained by the property owner, his agent or contractor, in the name of the property owner, before any private sewage system or part thereof may be installed, replaced, reconnected or modified.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Construction and installation of a POWTS inside Wonewoc town.

    • Inspection is required in accordance with the plan-review conditional approval letter.
    • Contact the agency that issued the POWTS permit.
    “Inspection of POWTS construction and installation is required”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — POWTS construction and installation inside the Town of Wonewoc.
      “Inspection of POWTS construction and installation is required”
    • Required — POWTS construction and installation inside Wonewoc town
      “Inspection of POWTS construction and installation is required in accordance with the plan review conditional approval letter.”
    • Required — POWTS installed, modified, or reconnected inside Wonewoc town.
      “Notice for inspection shall be given to the Zoning Department for all POWTS installed, modified, or reconnected, the working day prior to the inspection, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Non-plumbing sanitation systems, including off-grid sanitation, inside Wonewoc town.

    • A County Sanitary Permit must be obtained before constructing or installing a non-plumbing sanitation system.
    “A County Sanitary Permit shall be obtained prior to constructing or installing a non-plumbing sanitation system.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction of a new private well inside Wonewoc town

    • Wisconsin requires advance DNR notification, not necessarily a local well permit; high-capacity wells, reconstruction, and Native American property have different rules.

    well construction notification fee: 50.5 USD (The fee is stated by DNR for the notification number.)

    “Wisconsin law requires that a property owner provide advance notice to DNR before construction of any new private well that is not a high capacity well, and advance notice of any heat exchange drillhole construction (geothermal system) that does not require a written DNR approval.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in areas subject to Juneau County floodplain zoning inside Wonewoc town

    • Applicability to each municipal parcel and the local administering official should be confirmed against the town’s current floodplain administration arrangement.
    “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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Development in mapped floodplain areas inside the Town of Wonewoc, subject to the town's applicable local floodplain ordinance.
      “Floodplain ordinances regulate all development in the floodplain.”
    • Limited — Development in Juneau County floodplain areas located inside Wonewoc town.
      “This ordinance regulates all areas that would be covered by the regional flood or base flood as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or other maps approved by DNR.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Wonewoc town.
  • Local zoning — Land inside Wonewoc town, Wisconsin.
  • Zoning districts — Land-use districts inside Wonewoc town
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Wonewoc town
  • Setbacks — Buildings inside Wonewoc town
13 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • 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 Wonewoc publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Juneau County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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