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

Town of Lena’s own rules

• SetbacksSpecified

  Structures inside Lena town under the Oconto County zoning ordinance.

  • Road setbacks vary by highway class.
  • The ordinance provides listed reduction methods and district-specific standards may also apply.
  • Shoreland, floodplain, and wetland requirements can apply.

  Class C highway setback: >= 63 feet from center line (Or 30 feet from right-of-way, whichever is greater.) · principal-building sideyard setback: >= 10 feet (Lots of 100 feet or more in width, unless a district establishes another standard.) · rear-yard setback: >= 20 feet

  “The setback from Class C highways shall be sixty-three (63) feet from the center line of such highway or 30 feet from the right of way (R.O.W) whichever is greater.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles or camping units on parcels inside Lena town under the Oconto County zoning ordinance.

  • Annual placement requires an annual land-use permit and sanitary permit for an approved sanitary facility.
  • The annual permit expires December 31 of its issuance year.
  • RV/camping units must meet district, shoreland, floodplain, and wetland setbacks where applicable.
  • Leasing or renting outside a licensed campground is not allowed.

  unpermitted consecutive stay: <= 60 days (Longer placement requires annual land-use permit and approved sanitary facility.)

  “Such recreation vehicles/camping units shall not remain on a parcel more than 60 consecutive days. Any such vehicle may be left on the land for more than 60 consecutive days provided that an annual land use permit is obtained and an approved sanitary facility is provided.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Temporary use of a mobile home, motor home, or travel trailer during construction of a permanent structure inside Lena town.

  • A sanitary and land-use permit must have been issued for the permanent use.
  • The temporary-use permit cannot be issued or renewed for more than one year.

  temporary permit duration: <= 1 year (May not be issued or renewed for more than one year.)

  “A mobile home, motor home or travel trailer may be used as a temporary use, provided that a sanitary and land use permit has been issued for the permanent use, provided the temporary use permit is not issued or renewed for more than one year.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private onsite wastewater systems inside Lena town, administered by Oconto County.

  • County sanitary rules apply throughout Oconto County.

  “The Sanitary Department of the Oconto County Zoning office enforces the Oconto County Sanitary Ordinance.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New private sewage systems serving structures inside Lena town.

  • The sewage system for newly constructed buildings or structures requiring a reconnection permit must be approved, installed, and inspected before occupancy.

  “The private sewage system for newly constructed buildings or structures requiring a Reconnection Permit shall be approved, installed, and inspected before the building may be occupied.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A structure inside Lena town served by a private sewage system when a DNR-approved public sewer becomes available.

  • The private system must be disconnected within one year.
  • The local sewer service entity determines sewer availability.
  • The disconnected private system must be abandoned under SPS 383.

  connection deadline: <= 1 year (After public sewer approved by the Department of Natural Resources becomes available.)

  “When public sewers approved by the Department of Natural Resources become available to the structure or premises served, the private sewage system shall be disconnected within one year and a connection made to the public sewer. Determination of whether sewer is available shall be made by the local sewer service entity.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions inside Lena town that create one or more lots, parcels, tracts, or units of ten acres or less.

  • The county ordinance describes divisions of lots/parcels/tracts existing on its effective date for transfer of ownership or building development.
  • Area is determined by the right-of-way.

  created lot area threshold: <= 10 acres (Applies where the division creates one or more new lots, parcels, tracts, or units at or below this size.)

  “Oconto County does have a Land Division Ordinance in place. The ordinance applies to “any act of division of a lot, parcel, or tract which existed on the effective date of this ordinance by the owner thereof or his agent for the purpose of transfer of ownership or building development where the act of the division creates one or more new lots, parcels, tracts or units, if the lot, parcel, tract or unit being created is equal to or smaller in area than ten (10) acres in size, determined by the right of way.””

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in flood-hazard areas inside Lena town.

  • The town plan identifies Floodway, Floodfringe, and General Floodplain Districts.
  • Development must comply with the Oconto County Floodplain Ordinance.

  “Any further development in the Town of Lena will comply with the Oconto County Floodplain Floodplain Ordinance.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Lena

Town of Lena 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 Lena town.

  • Includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured-home installations.
  • If Lena town lacks delegated authority, the application is submitted to 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.”

• Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  An owner-occupant seeking a UDC erosion-control or construction permit for a dwelling inside Lena town.

  • Applicant must attest that they are or will be the owner-occupant and must read the contractor-responsibility cautionary statement.

  “You will leave those areas blank. At Step 5, you will check the box above your electronic signature which states “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)

  New one- and two-family dwelling units, including manufactured-home installations, inside Lena town.

  • The UDC applies to new one- and two-family dwelling units; its permitting authority may be the municipality or DSPS 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.”

• InspectionsRequired

  New one- and two-family dwelling units inside Lena town.

  • Required inspections are footings, foundation and reinforcement, rough work, insulation, and final inspection.

  “The following inspections are required on new one- and two-family dwellings. When ready for inspection, notify the inspector identified on your UDC permit.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  UDC permit applications for qualifying dwellings inside Lena town.

  • Required submission items include a permit application, contractor-license information, legible plans, required data, and a permit fee.
  • The issuing agency depends on delegation.

  “Regardless of which agency has authority, your application must include:”

Still unanswered

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

• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Lena town.
• Local zoning — Land inside Lena town.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Lena town.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Lena town.
• Lot coverage — Residential parcels inside Lena 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.