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

Town of Erin’s own rules

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  In-law suites in the R-1 Single-Family Residence District inside Erin town.

  • Annual renewal is required.

  “(4) in-law suites (annual renewal required).”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions and subdivision plats within Erin town jurisdiction.

  “To examine and approve land divisions and plats of subdivisions within the jurisdiction of the Town.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Erin

Town of Erin does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building permitRequired

  New one- and two-family dwellings inside Erin town, including stick-built, modular, and manufactured-home installations.

  • This claim is limited to new one- and two-family dwellings covered by the UDC.

  “A permit under the UDC is required for new one- and two-family dwelling units. This includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner-occupants applying for an erosion-control or construction permit for a dwelling inside Erin town.

  • The applicant must vouch that they are or will be an owner-occupant; the cited attestation concerns applying without Dwelling Contractor Certification.

  “I vouch that I am or will be an owner-occupant of this dwelling for which I am applying for an erosion control or construction permit without a Dwelling Contractor Certification”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  New one- and two-family dwellings inside Erin town, including manufactured-home installations.

  • The cited UDC program governs one- and two-family dwelling units, including manufactured homes.

  “The program governing one- and two-family dwelling units (including manufactured homes) is also called the UDC program, referring to the Uniform Dwelling Code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  New one- and two-family dwellings inside Erin town covered by the Wisconsin UDC.

  • Required inspections listed by DSPS are footing, foundation and reinforcement, rough, insulation, and final inspections.

  “The following inspections are required on new one- and two-family dwellings. When ready for inspection, notify the inspector identified on your UDC permit.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater disposal serving development inside Erin town.

  • The Town ordinance requires a Washington County on-site waste-disposal permit before issuance of a Town zoning permit.

  “On-site sewage disposal. Development is not allowed unless an on-site waste disposal permit is issued by Washington County, prior to receiving a zoning permit.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Development using on-site sewage disposal inside Erin town.

  • Washington County must issue the on-site waste-disposal permit before the Town issues a zoning permit.

  “On-site sewage disposal. Development is not allowed unless an on-site waste disposal permit is issued by Washington County, prior to receiving a zoning permit.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveway work inside Erin town that involves Washington County Trunk Highway right-of-way.

  • Limited to replacing a culvert, paving or widening an existing driveway, installing a new driveway, or constructing a new road within County Trunk Highway right-of-way.

  “Before replacing a culvert, paving or widening an existing driveway, installing a new driveway, or constructing a new road, applicants shall first review the County Access Control Policy then submit a County Access Permit Application Form.”

Still unanswered

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

• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of residential construction inside Erin town.
• Minimum dwelling size — R-1 Single-Family Residence District inside Erin town.
• Lot coverage — Residential lots inside Erin town.
• Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Erin town.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Erin 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.