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

Town of Washington’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside the unincorporated Town of Washington, La Crosse County, Wisconsin; zoning is administered by La Crosse County rather than established as a Town of Washington ordinance in the source reviewed.

  • La Crosse County's stated exceptions are Campbell and Burns Townships; Washington is not listed as an exception.

  “la crosse county administers zoning, sign, public works, & telecom ordinances in all unincorporated towns of la crosse county except campbell and burns townships.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Washington town under county-administered zoning.

  • Applicable regulations depend on the district in which the land or building is located.

  “for the purpose of this chapter, the county is hereby divided into 12 zoning districts which are identified in sections 17.05(1)-(12) of this chapter.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings and lots inside Washington town under county-administered zoning.

  • A reduction below Chapter 17 yard and setback requirements requires Board of Adjustment approval.

  “there shall be a side yard on each side of the structure. the sum of the widths of the required side yard shall not be less than 20 feet and no single side yard shall be less than 8 feet in width.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Washington town under county-administered zoning.

  • Building height must comply with the regulations established for the district in which the building is located.

  “the use and height of buildings hereafter erected, converted, enlarged or structurally altered, and the use of any land shall be in compliance with the regulations established herein for the district in which such land or building is located.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles in residential districts or recorded residential subdivision plats inside Washington town, under county-administered zoning.

  • Applies only in residential districts or recorded residential subdivision plats.
  • The rule allows an exception when otherwise authorized.

  “In all residential districts or recorded residential subdivision plat, the wheels of any recreational vehicle, trailer or other similar transportation device shall not be removed, and the vehicle shall not be temporarily or permanently fixed to the ground or attached to something having a temporary or permanent location on the ground by any person in any manner, unless otherwise authorized.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Temporary placement of a mobile or manufactured home for residential occupancy inside Washington town, under county-administered zoning.

  • Town Board approval is required.
  • A Zoning/Occupancy Permit for a permanent dwelling on the same parcel must already have been issued.
  • The home may not be on the parcel for more than 180 days.

  maximum temporary placement: <= 180 days (Temporary placement for residential occupancy)

  “The temporary placement of a mobile or manufactured home for residential occupancy may be authorized by a Zoning/Occupancy Permit, subject to the approval of the Town Board, after issuance of a Zoning/Occupancy Permit for a permanent dwelling on the same parcel. In no case shall a mobile or manufactured home be authorized to be located on the parcel for more than 180 days.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Construction, repair, modification, addition, or change of use of a structure located in the Floodplain District inside Washington town.

  • Only applies to structures located in the Floodplain District.

  “the county administers floodplain and shoreland ordinances in all unincorporated areas of the county.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals inside Washington town under county-administered zoning.

  • A County Short-Term Rental Permit is required.
  • Advertisement is not allowed until required county, state, and local permits have been obtained and associated conditions met.
  • The property-management contact must be within 30 miles and available at all times.
  • Notice must be provided to all properties within 300 feet of a proposed rental property line before approval.
  • Existing noncompliance with Chapters 16, 17, and 20 must be corrected before issuance.
  • Permit is non-transferable and terminates upon change of ownership.
  • Occupancy may not exceed 30 consecutive days.
  • State licensing and County Health Department permits must be obtained and maintained.
  • Applicant must contact the Town before operation.

  maximum tourist occupancy: <= 30 consecutive days · property-management-contact distance: <= 30 miles · neighbor-notice radius: <= 300 feet (from any property line of the proposed short-term rental)

  “All short-term rentals must obtain a Zoning/Occupancy Permit for short-term rentals (hereinafter referred to as Short-Term Rental Permit) from the La Crosse County Zoning, Planning, and Land Information Department.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning-occupancy permit applications for land inside Washington town.

  • Application must be from the landowner or representative.
  • A site map, construction plans, other necessary attachments, and application fee are required.
  • Processing is typically one to two weeks in received order.
  • The zoning permit cannot issue until all other applicable permits are in place.

  typical processing time: 1-2 weeks

  “applications are processed in the order they are received, and processing time is typically 1-2 weeks. please note that your zoning permit cannot be issued until all other applicable permits are in place.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building construction inside Washington town.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Washington town.
• Building code adopted — Buildings inside Washington town.
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Washington town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Washington 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.