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

Town of Forest’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  External construction on buildings inside Forest town; new dwellings additionally require a state building permit before construction.

  • All external construction must be reported by completing and submitting the Town construction document.
  • For a new dwelling, a state building permit and sanitation permit are required before construction.
  • Work commenced before permit issuance results in doubled permit fees.

  Town building site permit fee: 100 USD

  “A Building Site Permit is required as of January 1, 2024 At a Cost of $100.00-Payable to: Town of Forest”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  New livable dwellings inside Forest town requiring sanitation approval.

  • The Town form directs applicants to Vernon County Zoning and Sanitation for the sanitation permit.

  “Sanitation Permit Vernon County Zoning and Sanitation”

• Septic permitRequired

  New livable dwellings inside Forest town.

  • A plumber submits the sanitary permit application for review.
  • At-grade and mound systems require state approval, taking approximately four to six weeks.
  • The permit is issued after the application is reviewed and approved.

  “State Building Permit and Sanitation Permit are required for any NEW livable dwelling, prior to beginning construction”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Septic-system installation serving construction inside Forest town.

  • The property owner is instructed to remain in contact with the plumber to schedule installation.
  • The plumber communicates with Vernon County to schedule the installation inspection.

  “The plumber will communicate with the county and schedule an inspection of the septic system at the time of installation.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Buildings without plumbing or running-water connection inside Forest town, subject to Vernon County's private-onsite wastewater rules.

  • A privy may be used only where the building has no plumbing and is not connected to running water.
  • No plumbing, piping, or drains may be installed in a privy.
  • A county sanitary permit is required for a privy.
  • Earthen-pit privies are not allowed in Vernon County.

  “If a property has buildings that have no plumbing and are not connected to running water a privy (outhouse) may be used as a toilet only. No plumbing, piping or drains shall be installed in a privy.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Projects inside Forest town on parcels subject to floodplain regulation.

  • Applicability is parcel-specific and must be determined by county map review.
  • If the parcel is subject to floodplain or shoreland regulations, a Land Use Permit Application must be completed.

  “Map Review: Contact the County to determine if your parcel is subject to floodplain or shoreland regulations. If so, complete a Land Use Permit Application.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Town Building Site Permit applications inside Forest town.

  • The $100 fee is payable to the Town of Forest.
  • Fees are due at permit issuance; fees double when work starts before issuance.

  Town Building Site Permit fee: 100 USD (Fee doubles if work commences before permit issuance.)

  “A Building Site Permit is required as of January 1, 2024 At a Cost of $100.00-Payable to: Town of Forest”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Development permitting inside Forest town, with county verification and sanitation steps where applicable.

  • The county checklist directs applicants to request a county zoning verification and include it with town permit applications.
  • For projects subject to floodplain or shoreland regulation, a Land Use Permit Application is required.
  • The Town requires a completed form, site plan, and $100 check to be returned to the listed Town address.

  “Town Verification: Request the County complete a verification form indicating what, if any, county zoning applies to your project. Include this with permit application(s) you submit to the town.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Residential construction inside Forest town.
• Inspections — Building construction inside Forest town.
• Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Forest town.
• Local zoning — Land inside Forest town, Vernon County, Wisconsin.
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Forest 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.