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

Town of Rockland’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, additions, remodeling and exterior structures inside Rockland town

  • Before a building permit can be issued for a new home, the applicant must first contact Manitowoc Planning and Park Commission.
  • A permit is needed for siding and windows, but not for roofs.
  • Exterior structures such as decks, gazebos and garages need building permits.
  • Manitowoc County zoning rules also require a zoning/setback permit before a building or structure is erected, moved, established, located, or structurally altered (county page).

  “a building permit must be obtained from the clerk/treasurer. you may reach her @ (920) 772-4055 for any new additions or remodeling. a permit is needed for siding and windows, but not for roofs.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Building permits issued by the Town of Rockland

  • Inspection is by the town building inspector, reached through the clerk/treasurer after the county planning step.
  • Inspection frequency, inspection types and fees were not stated on the page.

  “once completed then direct your call to the clerk/treasurer @ (920) 772-4055 to direct you to our town building inspector.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway culverts and new driveway access onto town roads inside Rockland town

  • Culvert permits are issued by the town road superintendent.
  • The county guide says driveway access must be confirmed with the county highway department or the town, and refers to county Chapter 8 section 8.35(3) for additional driveway requirements.

  “culvert permits are issued by keith brandes, road superintendent-rockland town shop 615 milwaukee street, collins wi 54207 @ (920) 772-4474.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Razing or moving a structure inside Rockland town (razing permit), not building permits

  • Building permit fees were not found on the town page.
  • The $5.00 fee is for the removal of a structure or moving a structure, and it is tied to removing the structure from the tax roll.

  razing or moving permit fee: 5 USD (applies to removal or moving of a structure; building permit fees not published on this page)

  “a fee of $5.00 is charged for the removal of structure or moving a structure.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process for new homes and other construction inside Rockland town

  • Step 1: contact Manitowoc Planning and Park Commission before a permit can be issued for a new home.
  • Step 2: call the clerk/treasurer, who routes the applicant to the town building inspector.
  • Application forms, fee schedule and timelines were not stated on the page.

  “before a building permit can be issued for a new home you must contact manitowoc planning and park commission”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Rockland

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

• Who permits septicCounty

  Private onsite wastewater systems on parcels inside Rockland town not served by public sewer

  • Manitowoc County Planning & Park Commission issues septic and mound system permits.
  • The county Private Sewage Systems ordinance (Chapter 13) governs sanitary permits and applies inside the town.

  “all septic & mound systems information can be obtained from manitowoc county planning & park commission @ 4319 expo drive, manitowoc, wi 54221 telephone # 920-683-4185”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing, replacing, repairing, reconnecting or modifying a private sewage system on any parcel inside Rockland town

  • Permit applied for by the owner, agent or contractor in the owner's name.
  • Holding tanks are allowed only case by case under Chapter 13 section 13.12.
  • A zoning permit for a building needing a private sewage system requires a valid sanitary or reconnection permit first (section 13.14).

  “a sanitary permit shall be obtained by the property owner, his or her agent, or his or her contractor before any powts or any part thereof may be installed, replaced, repaired, reconnected, or modified.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New buildings served by a private sewage system inside Rockland town

  • The system must be installed, inspected and approved before the building may be occupied.
  • Inspection details are in Chapter 13 part V (inspections and testing).

  “any private sewage system that serves a newly constructed building shall be installed, inspected, and approved before the building may be occupied.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Non-plumbing sanitation systems (privies, non-plumbing sanitation) on parcels inside Rockland town

  • Permitted only for buildings with no indoor plumbing system.
  • Portable restrooms are allowed for temporary use only and need no sanitary permit (30 consecutive days or less for gatherings, or construction duration plus two weeks at construction sites).
  • If plumbing is installed or running water is supplied to a building, an acceptable sewage disposal method other than or in addition to a non-plumbing system must be provided.
  • A sanitary permit is required before constructing or installing a non-plumbing sanitation system (section 13.17(2)).

  “a non-plumbing sanitation system may be permitted only when the building served by the non-plumbing sanitation system does not have an indoor plumbing system.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Private sewage systems or construction installed inside a mapped floodplain inside Rockland town

  • Must comply with Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 116 and Manitowoc County Code chapter 31 (floodplain zoning).
  • The county guide says to check for floodplain or wetland before construction.

  “any private sewage system, or any portion thereof, installed within a floodplain shall comply with all applicable requirements of wis. admin. code ch. nr 116 and chapter 31 (floodplain zoning) of the manitowoc county code of ordinances.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for homeowners building in Rockland town
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted for dwellings inside Rockland town
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Rockland town
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area inside Rockland town
• Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage inside Rockland 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.