Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Pepin, Wisconsin

Village of Pepin’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Residential alterations/additions over $1,000 in 12 months and new buildings inside Pepin village; also a separate LUCR zoning permit

  • Exempt: restoration or repair to previous code-compliant condition, residing, re-roofing, interior surface finishing, cabinetry.
  • LUCR permit required before any groundbreaking or construction including decking and concrete pads; not required for routine nonstructural maintenance.
  • Building permit fee doubled if work starts without permit.

  alteration/addition threshold: > 1000 USD per 12 months (exempt items listed)

  “if a person alters a building in excess of $1,000 value in any 12-month period, adds onto a building in excess of $1,000 in any 12-month period, or builds or installs a new building, within the scope of this chapter, they shall first obtain a building permit for such work from the building inspector.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  One- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980 and all commercial buildings inside Pepin village

  • Also adopts SPS 360-366 commercial building code, SPS 375-379 pre-1914 buildings, SPS 316 electrical, SPS 381-387 plumbing, SPS 327 camping units for enforcement by the building inspector.

  “the wisconsin uniform dwelling code, wis. admin. code ch. sps 320 to 325, and ch. 327, and all amendments thereto, is adopted and incorporated by reference and shall apply to all buildings within the scope of this chapter.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Buildings within scope of Chapter 153 inside Pepin village

  • Inspector must be state-certified; inspections are tied to issuance of the occupancy permit.

  “an occupancy permit will be issued only after all inspections have been satisfactorily completed”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Single-family, multiple-family and commercial structures inside Pepin village

  • Issued only after inspections pass, fees are paid and ordinance terms are met.

  “no single-family dwelling or multiple family dwelling or commercial structure may be occupied by any person or party until an occupancy permit has been issued.”

• Local zoningPresent

  All land and water within the corporate limits of Pepin village

  • Zoning areas: R, C, LIC, LI, A. Text is from the village website PDF labeled 2016-17; the amlegal code is the current host and may contain later amendments.

  “five zoning areas are provided as follows: (a) residential area (r) (b) commercial area (c) (c) light industrial area (li) (d) agricultural area (a) (e) low impact commercial (lic)”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Residential area (R) district, inside Pepin village

  • Applies to properties not yet surveyed into lots/building sites; minimum lot width 55 feet measured at rear of front yard.

  minimum lot size (unsurveyed property): >= 6050 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 55 feet

  “(5) minimum lot size on all properties not yet surveyed into lots/building sites shall have a minimum square footage of 6,050 feet per lot. (6) minimum lot width (measured at rear of front yard): 55 feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Agricultural area (A) district, inside Pepin village

    “(5) minimum lot area per family (residential): as required by the state administrative rule for operation of septic fields.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Residential area (R) district, inside Pepin village

  • Rear setback for accessory building is 6 feet, or 20 feet where a garage entrance faces the alley.

  side yard, principal: >= 6 feet · side yard, accessory: >= 3 feet · front yard: average of buildings on either side or 20 feet, whichever is less · rear yard, principal: >= 20 feet

  “(2) minimum side yard: (a) principal building: six feet; and (b) accessory building: three feet on each side. (3) minimum front yard setback: average of building on either side or 20 feet, whichever is less. (4) minimum rear yard setback: (a) principal building: 20 feet; and (b) accessory building: six feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Agricultural area (A) district, inside Pepin village

    “(2) minimum side yard: (a) principal buildings: 20 feet on each side. (b) accessory buildings: 5 feet on each side. (3) minimum front yard setback: 30 feet. (4) minimum rear yard setback: 50 feet.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Residential area (R) district, inside Pepin village

  maximum lot coverage, all structures: <= 50 percent

  “(7) maximum lot coverage (for all structures): 50%.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Agricultural area (A) district, inside Pepin village

  • Other (non-residential) structures: no height limit.

  maximum height, residential structures: <= 35 feet (other structures: none)

  “(1) maximum building height: (a) residential structures: 35 feet. (b) other structures: none”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Residential area (R) district, inside Pepin village

    “(c) minimum standards. (1) maximum building height: 35 feet.”

• Permit feesPublished

  LUCR (land use construction or remodeling) permit fees inside Pepin village

  • Fees non-refundable. Failure to obtain a LUCR before starting a project: $250 penalty fee. Building permit fees are set by resolution, not in the code (§153.08). Variance/conditional use fee $50. Fee schedule amended by res. 2024-0819-2.

  LUCR fee, project up to $1,000: 25 USD · LUCR fee, $1,001-$5,000: 50 USD · LUCR fee, $5,001-$10,000: 100 USD · LUCR fee, $10,001-$100,000: 300 USD · LUCR fee, over $100,001: 500 USD

  “(a) projects with costs of up to $1,000: $25; (b) projects from $1,001 - $5,000: $50; (c) projects from $5,001 - $10,000: $100; (d) projects from $10,001 - $100,000: $300; and (e) projects over $100,001: $500.”

• Permit processPublished

  LUCR zoning permit process inside Pepin village

  • Permit expires in three months for demolition and 12 months for construction; renewal costs 50% of original fee.
  • Zoning administrator may require a registered land survey.
  • Variance hearing within 60 days, decision within 30 days of hearing.

  decision deadline: <= 30 days

  “a lucr permit shall be granted or denied in writing by the zoning administrator within 30 days. the permit shall expire within three months for demolition and 12 months for construction.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Pepin village
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Pepin village
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Pepin village
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Pepin village
• Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Pepin 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.