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

Town of Bradford’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New buildings or decks, and alterations or additions exceeding $2,500 within a 12-month period, within Chapter 7's scope inside Bradford town.

  • Re-siding, re-roofing, finishing interior surfaces, and cabinetry installation are exempt from this Chapter's permit requirement.

  alteration or addition value threshold: > 2500 USD (Measured within any 12-month period.)

  “If a person or legal entity makes alterations or additions which exceed $2500 in value to a building within the scope of this Chapter within any 12-month period, or builds, or installs a new building or deck within the scope of this Chapter, the person or entity shall first obtain a building permit for such work from the Building Inspector.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  One- and two-family dwellings, detached garages, similar accessory buildings, and decks inside Bradford town within Chapter 7's scope.

  • The Chapter covers one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980; agricultural buildings and demolition are included only for expressly limited purposes.

  “The Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, Chs. SPS 320-325 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and all amendments thereto, is adopted and incorporated by reference and shall apply to all buildings within the scope of this Chapter.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  All lands and waters inside the Town of Bradford.

  • Uses must comply with the Town zoning ordinance and other applicable local, county, and state regulations.

  “The jurisdiction of this Ordinance shall include all lands and waters within the Town.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Bradford town.

  • District-specific permitted and conditional-use requirements apply.

  “For the purpose of this ordinance the Town of Bradford is hereby divided into the following Zoning Districts: Exclusive Agricultural District One (A-1) General Agricultural District Two (A-2) Agricultural Residential District (AR) Local Commercial District (B-1) Rural Residential District (R-R) Mobile Home Park District (MHP) Special Purpose District (SP) Light Industrial District (M-l) Natural Resource Open Space District (NROS)”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Every dwelling erected inside Bradford town.

  • Floor area excludes garage, attic, basement, and breezeway.

  one-story dwelling minimum floor area: >= 1400 square feet (Per family dwelling.) · two-story dwelling minimum floor area: >= 1900 square feet (Per family dwelling.)

  “Every dwelling erected in the Town of Bradford shall provide not less than 1,400 square feet of floor area for a one-story building for each family dwelling therein, nor less than 1,900 square feet of floor area for a two story building for each family dwelling therein. Floor area does not include garage, attic, basement, or breezeway.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Habitation of recreational vehicles on parcels inside Bradford town.

  • A primary residence must be available for required services such as sewer and water.

  “Habitation of any recreational vehicle, tent, or camper shall not take place on a parcel located in the Town unless a primary residence is available for use of required services such as sewer and water.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Tent or camper habitation on parcels inside Bradford town.

  • A primary residence must be available for required services such as sewer and water.

  “Habitation of any recreational vehicle, tent, or camper shall not take place on a parcel located in the Town unless a primary residence is available for use of required services such as sewer and water.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile homes inside Bradford town.

  • Mobile homes are permitted only in the Mobile Home Park District.

  “Mobile Homes are only permitted in a Mobile Home Park District.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory buildings in the Agricultural Residential District inside Bradford town.

  • The cited rule prevents an accessory building from being used as a separate dwelling unit.

  “use of the property provided that no accessory building may be used as a separate dwelling unit.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Conventional subdivisions inside Bradford town.

  • Final plats must follow preliminary and final review procedures; individual or clustered wastewater systems in areas without municipal wastewater treatment require Town Board, Rock County, WDOC, and WDNR approval.

  conventional subdivision minimum lot size in Local Rural Residential District: >= 43560 square feet (One acre.)

  “the minimum lot size for conventional (or yield) subdivisions in the local rural residential district shall be 43,560 square feet (one acre).”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway access to town roads inside Bradford town.

  • One driveway access per lot is the default; the Committee may allow two for duplex lots, and common driveways may be required. New driveways must have 150 feet of sight distance in each direction and be at least six feet from a common property line.

  new driveway sight distance: >= 150 feet (Each direction.) · minimum distance from common property line: >= 6 feet (New driveways.)

  “all new driveways shall have a minimum site distance of 150 feet in each direction and be located a minimum of six (6) feet from a common property line.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits issued under Chapter 7 inside Bradford town.

  • Fees may instead be determined by Town Board resolution; double fees are due if work starts before permit issuance.

  new dwelling/addition fee: per 0.12 USD per square foot (All floor area.) · occupancy permit fee: per 50 USD per dwelling unit

  “new dwelling/addition...................................................$.12 per sq ft all floor area”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning-permit applications inside Bradford town.

  • Applicants must demonstrate compliance with all Town ordinances; the Zoning Officer must inquire of Rock County Planning regarding listed environmental, cultural, soil, woodland, and POWTS matters before issuance.

  “An application for a Zoning Permit shall be made to the Zoning Officer on forms provided by the Town, and shall include a site plan showing the following:”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Bradford town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Bradford town.
• Well permit — Private wells inside Bradford town.
• Mandatory utility hookup — New homes inside Bradford town.
• Agricultural exemption — Agricultural construction inside Bradford 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.