Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Three Lakes, Wisconsin

Town of Three Lakes’s own rules

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction in Three Lakes town, with inspections run through the town's contracted inspection agency.

  • The town page says a building inspection must take place upon completion of construction.
  • The town works with RC Inspection Agency LLC (715-439-4222) for inspections.
  • Commercial buildings use a commercial packet from RC Inspection Agency LLC.

  “Upon completion of construction, a building inspection must take place. Contact information for a building inspection permit is: [...] RC Inspection Agency LLC”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Driveway permits and address (fire number) applications issued by the town. Building permit fees are not covered by this claim.

  • The town page publishes these two fees only; county building permit fees were not located.

  driveway permit fee: 35 USD · address application fee: 65 USD

  “The fee for a Driveway Permit is $35.00; the fee for an Address Application is $65.00.”

• Permit processPartial

  Permit process for a new home or alterations in Three Lakes town. The town issues only driveway and address permits; building permits run through the county.

  • Driveway and address permits are issued by the town office, by online form or mailed form.
  • Building permits go to Oneida County Planning & Zoning (715-369-6130). Process details, plan requirements and fees were not located on the county page.

  “Town of Three Lakes only issues Driveway Permits and Fire Number (address) applications. [...] If you are constructing a new home or making alterations to your home/property you must contact Oneida County Planning & Zoning at 715-369-6130, or online at co.oneida.wi.us for all building permits and general questions.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Three Lakes

Town of Three Lakes 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 homes, alterations and additions on land in Three Lakes town, where the town directs residents to Oneida County Planning & Zoning for building permits.

  • A building permit is needed for projects over 200 square feet or over $2,500.00 in value, per the town page.
  • Permits are also needed for fences and sheds, per the town page.
  • The town page directs residents to Oneida County Planning & Zoning at 715-369-6130 for all building permits.

  project area threshold: > 200 sq ft · project value threshold: > 2500 USD

  “If you are constructing a new home or making alterations to your home/property you must contact Oneida County Planning & Zoning at 715-369-6130, or online at co.oneida.wi.us for all building permits and general questions. A building permit is necessary if it is over 200 square feet or $2,500.00 in value.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  One- and two-family dwellings built in Three Lakes town, under the state Uniform Dwelling Code (the statute directs DSPS to adopt standards for construction and inspection of one- and 2-family dwellings).

  • The statute directs rules to be written, with the UDC council, for seasonal camping units in permitted campgrounds (a separate standard).
  • Whether the town itself adopts or enforces the code through an agreement was not verified; the town page routes permits to the county and inspections to RC Inspection Agency LLC.

  “UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two- Family Dwellings) [...] Program Code Chapter: SPS 320-325 [...] The program governing one- and two-family dwelling units (including manufactured homes) is also called the UDC program, referring to the Uniform Dwelling Code.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Three Lakes town that is unincorporated. The county, not the town, administers the zoning ordinance (Oneida County Code Chapter 9, Zoning and Shoreland Protection Ordinance). Three Lakes is not one of the three towns named in the county's exception.

  • The county page says zoning applies in the unincorporated areas of all 20 townships, except certain lands in the towns of Enterprise, Monico and Sugar Camp that are more than 1,000 feet from a lake or 300 feet from a river or stream. Three Lakes is not listed in that exception.
  • Zoning permits are required for most structures within 200 feet of the shoreland, and a zoning permit is required for placement of signs and for a new business use.
  • The town's own FAQ, as shown in search results, says the town follows Oneida County zoning regulations. That FAQ page did not open, so this is not verified by an opened page.
  • Whether the town has adopted a separate zoning ordinance of its own was not established.

  “Zoning regulations apply in the unincorporated areas of all 20 townships, except those lands in the Towns of Enterprise, Monico, and Sugar Camp which are greater than 1,000 feet from a lake or 300 feet from a river or stream.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Sewered lots inside the county shoreland zone (shoreland protection article) in Three Lakes town. The general lot size for non-shoreland land was not opened.

  • Applies to lots in the shoreland area, not to all land in the town.
  • Substandard lots that were legally created may be used under conditions in Section 9.93(d)(4).

  minimum lot area (sewered): 10000 sq ft · minimum average lot width (sewered): 65 ft

  “Sewered lots (NR 115.05(1)(a)1). Minimum area and width for each lot. The minimum lot area shall be 10,000 sq. ft. and the minimum average lot width and riparian frontage width shall be 65 feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Unsewered lots inside the county shoreland zone in Three Lakes town. The general lot size for non-shoreland land was not opened.

    “Unsewered lots (NR 115.05(1)(a)2). Minimum area and width for each lot. The minimum lot area shall be 20,000 sq. ft. and the minimum average lot width and riparian frontage width shall be 100 feet.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Shoreland building setback line for lots in the county shoreland zone in Three Lakes town.

  • The shoreland building setback line is stated as 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark, in the width measurement rule of Section 9.93(e).
  • Reduced principal structure setbacks and exempt structures (Section 9.94) were not opened, so the full setback rule is not confirmed here.

  shoreland building setback line: 75 ft (measured from the ordinary high water mark)

  “The width shall be calculated by averaging the measurements at the following locations: [...] b. The building setback line (75 ft from the OHWM).”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles used as a dwelling in Three Lakes town for more than five consecutive days.

  • Under the POWTS ordinance, an RV used as a dwelling for more than five consecutive days needs a sanitary permit if it is connected to water or electricity, and a non-plumbing sanitary permit if it is not.
  • Zoning rules for RV occupancy were not located.

  consecutive days before sanitary permit applies: > 5 days

  “All recreational vehicles used as a dwelling for more than five (5) consecutive days shall comply with the following requirements. (a) Obtain a sanitary permit for a private onsite waste water treatment system if the recreational vehicle is provided a connection to potable water and/or electric. (b) Obtain a non-plumbing sanitary system permit if not connected to water and/or electric.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private onsite wastewater systems and non-plumbing sanitation systems on land in Three Lakes town.

  • The county POWTS ordinance (Chapter 13) is adopted under Wis. Stat. 59.70 and 145.20, and state codes SPS 382-387 and 391.
  • The Oneida County Planning & Zoning Department issues sanitary permits.

  “ONEIDA COUNTY PRIVATE ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS ORDINANCE [...] The requirements of this ordinance shall apply to all geographic areas of Oneida County.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation, replacement, repair, reconnection or modification of a private onsite wastewater treatment system (POWTS) in Three Lakes town.

  • The permit must be obtained before any POWTS is installed, replaced, repaired, reconnected or modified.
  • Construction that starts before a sanitary permit is obtained is a violation.
  • A sanitary permit is not required for minor repairs.
  • Soil and site evaluation is required before sanitary permit issuance (Section 13.30).

  “A sanitary permit shall be obtained by the property owner, his agent or contractor, before any POWTS or part thereof may be installed, replaced, repaired, reconnected or modified. A sanitary permit is not required for minor repairs.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private onsite wastewater systems in Three Lakes town.

  • The county ordinance refers to a final inspection of a system after a sanitary permit is issued. The inspection timing and procedure were not opened in full.

  “Notice for final inspection shall be given to the Zoning Department for all POWTS installed, modified or reconnected. [...] These private sewage systems shall be inspected by the department for compliance with SPS 382, SPS 383, Wisconsin Administrative Code, other appropriate Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Codes and this ordinance.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Non-plumbing sanitation systems (for structures with no indoor plumbing) in Three Lakes town.

  • A county sanitary permit is required before constructing or installing a non-plumbing sanitation system.
  • Pit and vault privies must meet minimum setbacks, such as 25 feet from dwellings and 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark of a lake or stream.

  “A county sanitary permit shall be obtained prior to constructing or installing a non-plumbing sanitation system.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions in shoreland areas in Three Lakes town. The county subdivision control ordinance (Chapter 15) for land divisions outside shoreland was not opened.

  • Land divisions in shoreland areas creating 3 or more parcels or building sites of 5 acres each or less within a 5-year period are reviewed under Wis. Stat. 236.45.

  “The county shall review, pursuant to s. 236.45, Wis. Stats., all land divisions in shoreland areas which create 3 or more parcels or building sites of 5 acres each or less within a 5-year period.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a home in Three Lakes town
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home in Three Lakes town
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts applying in Three Lakes town
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Three Lakes town
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage and impervious surface limits in Three Lakes 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.