Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Francis Creek, Wisconsin

Village of Francis Creek’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, moving or structurally altering any building, structure or use in Francis Creek village (zoning permit under ch. 480)

  • Permit issuer is the village clerk-treasurer or building inspector
  • Permit issued or denied within 20 days of application
  • Temporary permits up to one year may be issued under village board rules

  decision deadline: <= 20 days

  “no building, structure or use shall hereafter be erected, moved or structurally altered until a permit has been applied for and issued.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Buildings or premises existing at adoption of ch. 480, Francis Creek village

  • Issued only upon written request from the owner, after inspection
  • Requirement for new construction not found in chapter 480

  “upon written request from the owner, the permit issuer shall issue a certificate of occupancy for any building or premises existing at the time of adoption of this chapter”

• Local zoningPresent

  All land within the corporate limits of Francis Creek village

  • Adopted 6-4-1985 under Wis. Stats. 61.35 and 62.23

  “this chapter shall be administered and be in force on all lands within the corporate limits of the village of francis creek.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Francis Creek village zoning districts

  • Zoning map is on file at the village clerk-treasurer's office

  districts: A-1, R-1, R-2, B-1, I-1, I-2, C-1, PUD

  “the village of francis creek is hereby divided into the following zoning districts: a. a-1 agricultural district. b. r-1 single- and two-family residential district.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Dwellings in Francis Creek village (general regulation, all districts)

  • Square footage exclusive of basements, cellars and unfinished attics
  • Apartments: 2-bedroom 800 sq ft, 1-bedroom 700, efficiency 500

  single-family detached minimum floor area: >= 1200 sq ft · duplex minimum: >= 900 sq ft

  “single-family detached dwellings will have a minimum of 1,200 square feet; duplexes a minimum of 900 square feet; and townhouses a minimum of 900 square feet.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 single- and two-family residential district, Francis Creek village

  • Minimum lot width 100 feet (65 feet on cul-de-sac circle)
  • Substandard lots of record may be used if within 75% of requirements (§ 480-11)

  single-family minimum lot area: >= 7200 sq ft · two-family minimum lot area: >= 12000 sq ft

  “minimum lot area shall not be less than 7,200 square feet for single-family dwellings or 12,000 square feet for two-family dwellings.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — A-1 agricultural district, Francis Creek village

    “minimum lot area shall not be less than one acre.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-1 single- and two-family residential district, Francis Creek village

  • Accessory buildings may be in rear yard, not less than 4 feet from rear property line
  • Corner lots: front yard setback applies to both street sides (§ 480-27)

  front yard: >= 30 feet · rear yard: >= 25 feet (accessory buildings 4 ft) · side yard each side: >= 10 feet

  “there shall be a side yard provided on each side of the lot of not less than 10 feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — A-1 agricultural district, Francis Creek village

    “there shall be a side yard of not less than 30 feet.”

• Building heightSpecified

  A-1 agricultural district, Francis Creek village (residential buildings)

  • No maximum height for nonresidential structures in A-1
  • R-1 section as read states no height limit; not recorded
  • Church spires/belfries and water towers exempt (§ 480-29)

  maximum residential height: <= 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories

  “no residential building shall exceed a height of 35 feet or 2 1/2 stories; however, no maximum height is required for nonresidential structures in this district.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes in R-1 district, Francis Creek village

  • Must be HUD-labeled under 42 U.S.C. 5401-5426
  • Enclosed foundation per s. 70.043(1) Wis. Stats. and ch. SPS 321, or comparable system approved by permit issuer
  • Installed per manufacturer's instructions
  • Other districts not reviewed

  “"single-family dwelling" includes a manufactured home.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  New plats in Francis Creek village

  • Separate subdivision chapter 445 not reviewed

  “no proposed plat of a new subdivision shall hereafter be approved by either the village board or the village comprehensive planning commission”

• Permit processPartial

  Zoning/building permits in Francis Creek village

  • Application must show compliance with ch. 480 and other regulations
  • Building code chapter 177 not reviewed

  decision deadline: <= 20 days

  “such permit shall be issued or the application shall be denied within 20 days after receipt of the application.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Francis Creek or Manitowoc County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption in Francis Creek village
• Building code adopted — Building code in Francis Creek village
• Inspections — Building inspection in Francis Creek village
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Francis Creek village
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy in Francis Creek village

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.