Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Genoa City, Wisconsin

Village of Genoa City’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Building work inside Genoa City village

  • Permit issued by the village building inspector
  • Permit lapses if work not commenced within 60 days of issuance
  • No permit required for minor repair to existing one- or two-family dwellings

  permit lapse: 60 days

  “no building work shall be performed in the village of genoa city unless a permit therefore is obtained as required in the provisions of this article.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Genoa City village: Wisconsin state building code and Uniform Dwelling Code adopted by village ordinance

  • Dwellings covered by the UDC: one- and two-family dwellings
  • Future state amendments are incorporated

  “sps 301 through sps 391, wis. adm. code (wisconsin state building code) are hereby adopted and made a part of this section”

• InspectionsRequired

  New one- and two-family dwellings and additions inside Genoa City village

  • Inspections by inspectors certified by the state Department of Safety and Professional Services

  “(2) provide plan review and on-site inspections of one- and two-family dwellings by inspectors certified by the department of safety and professional services;”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Genoa City village limits (Chapter 310 Zoning of the village code, with R-1 and R-2 residential districts)

  • Code book is dated 10-14-2021; the village site says to contact the village office for the most recent ordinance.

  “(e) dimensional requirements for development after 07/14/05. 1. lot: [a] width: 80 feet minimum. [b] area: 10,000 square feet minimum.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts inside Genoa City village (R-1, R-2, RDU-1, MFR-1 named; full list not captured)

  • Full district list and zoning map not read

  “every building occupied exclusively as a residence by not more than one family in zoned r-1 area or multiple family in zoned r-2, rdu-1, or mfr-1 area.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  R-1 district, development after 07/14/05, principal structure inside Genoa City village

  • Existing buildings on lots platted before 07/14/05 may be replaced in the same size and configuration
  • Two-story: 800 sq ft on grade level; tri-level: 400 sq ft on grade level

  minimum finished living area: >= 1200 sq ft (excluding garage)

  “2. building area (principal structure): 1,200 square feet minimum of finished living area, excluding garage; if two stories, 800 square feet minimum finished living area on grade level, excluding garage; and if trilevel, 400 square feet minimum of finished living area on grade level, excluding garage.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 district, development after 07/14/05, inside Genoa City village

  • Lots platted before 07/14/05: no minimum lot area, width as platted

  minimum lot area: >= 10000 sq ft · minimum lot width: >= 80 feet

  “1. lot: [a] width: 80 feet minimum. [b] area: 10,000 square feet minimum.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-1 district, development after 07/14/05, inside Genoa City village

  • Existing buildings on lots platted before 07/14/05 may continue existing setbacks; additions must meet these minimums
  • Shore yard figure not captured

  street yard, state/federal/county road: >= 40 feet · street yard, other public and private roads: >= 25 feet · rear yard: >= 30 feet · side yards: >= 15 feet total, minimum 6 feet on one side

  “2. street: 1) state, federal, and county: 40 feet minimum. 2) other public and private roads: 25 feet minimum. [b] rear: 30 feet minimum. [c] side: 15 feet total with a minimum 6 feet on one side.”

• Building heightSpecified

  R-1 district, development after 07/14/05, inside Genoa City village

  • Existing pre-07/14/05 buildings may be rebuilt at the same height

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet

  “3. building height: 35 feet maximum. 4. yard requirements.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permit fees for construction other than one- and two-family dwellings inside Genoa City village

  • Fee schedule not located; one- and two-family dwelling fees are under § 114-15, not read

  “the fees for building permits for any construction other than that covered by the one- and two-family dwelling code of the village of genoa city shall be as set forth by the village board from time to time.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications inside Genoa City village

  • Two sets of plans required; plans needing water or sewer service need utilities committee approval
  • Dwelling permits use the Wisconsin uniform dwelling permit application

  “application for a building permit shall be made in writing upon a form furnished by the building inspector”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Genoa City village
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy certificates inside Genoa City village
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Genoa City village
• Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Genoa City village
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Genoa City 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.