Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of River Falls, Wisconsin

Town of River Falls’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New one- or multi-family dwellings, industrial or commercial buildings, additions or alterations to those buildings, and inground swimming pools inside the Town of River Falls, Pierce County, Wisconsin.

  • A State uniform building permit or Town building permit is required as determined by the Building Inspector.
  • Restoration or repair of an installation to its previous code-compliant condition, as determined by the permit issuer, is exempt.
  • Re-siding, re-roofing, finishing interior surfaces, and installation of cabinetry are exempt.
  • All land-use and building permits must be reviewed by the Town Plan Commission and approved by the Town Board.
  • The Building Inspector conditionally approves compliant plans and issues a permit valid for 24 months.
  • Minor repairs below the Town Board's resolution-set limit that do not change occupancy area, structural strength, fire protection, exits, natural light, or ventilation are excepted; same-size roofing, siding, doors, and windows, and landscaping excluding decks, are also excepted.

  building permit validity: 24 months · permit decision time: <= 10 business days (Following receipt of all forms, fees, plans and documents required for processing the application.)

  “No person shall build or cause to be built any new one- or multi-family dwelling or industrial or commercial building, or any addition or alteration to an existing one- or multi-family dwelling, industrial or commercial building, or inground swimming pool, without first obtaining a State uniform building permit or a Town building permit for such dwelling, structure, commercial building, etc., as determined by the Building Inspector.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside the Town of River Falls, Pierce County, Wisconsin.

  • The Town's code page cautions that its code book may be amended by ordinance of the Town of River Falls Town Board at any time and directs readers to contact the Town Clerk to verify regulations in effect.
  • The Town zoning page directs questions concerning the town-zoning map to the Town of River Falls Zoning Administrator.

  “Questions regarding the town-zoning map should be directed to Don Rodewald, Town of River Falls Zoning Administrator at (715) 307-0564 or [email protected].”

Rules another office applies inside Town of River Falls

Town of River Falls 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 (with conditions)

  Private onsite wastewater treatment systems and privies serving land inside the Town of River Falls, Pierce County, Wisconsin.

  • Town Chapter 14 requires a septic permit by Pierce County as part of the Town building-permit application process.
  • A valid sanitary permit is required before installing, repairing, altering, modifying, or reconnecting a POWTS or privy.
  • A sanitary permit is valid for two years from issuance and is renewable for similar periods with a renewal permit.
  • The issuing agent reviews soil-test reports and may verify the report at the proposed site; the agent approves or disapproves applications.
  • The issuing agent must inspect or cause inspection of all POWTS after construction and before backfilling no later than the end of the next workday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after notice from the plumber in charge.

  sanitary permit validity: 2 years (Renewable for similar periods thereafter with a renewal permit.)

  “A septic permit is required by Pierce County.”

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.