Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Delafield, Wisconsin

Delafield’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Interior remodeling inside Delafield city; city also states pools require permits; re-shingling does not

  • Re-shingling is maintenance and needs no permit; maximum 2 shingle layers
  • Contact the building inspector if unsure

  “yes. any plumbing work, hvac, electrical, or overall building structural changes or floor plan changes require a permit. if you are not sure, please contact our building inspector.”

• Local zoningPresent

  All lands and waters within the corporate limits of Delafield city (Waukesha County)

  • Zoning ordinance effective March 11, 1997 (as recreated)

  “the jurisdiction of this chapter shall include all lands and waters within the corporate limits of the city.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Delafield city

  • Districts include RE-3, RE-2, RE-1 rural estate districts and RL-1 residential lake district, plus others in Art. IV
  • Zoning map is available from the city

  “re-1 one-acre rural estate district. (1) intent. this district is intended to provide for high quality, low density, single-family development on one-acre lots.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  One-family dwellings in RE-1 one-acre rural estate district, Delafield city

  • See section 52-18; other districts differ (RE-2 and RE-3 require 1,500 sq ft total)

  minimum total floor area: >= 1200 square feet · minimum first floor: >= 900 square feet

  “see section 52-18. a. total. 1,200 square feet. b. first floor. 900 square feet.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  RE-1 one-acre rural estate district, Delafield city

  • Unless otherwise required by section 52-19(c) if the lot is served by a private septic system
  • Other districts have different minimums (e.g., RE-2 two acres, RL-1 40,000 sq ft)

  minimum lot area RE-1: >= 43560 square feet (section 52-19(c) if on private septic) · minimum lot width RE-1: >= 140 feet

  “minimum lot area shall be 43,560 square feet (one acre), unless otherwise required by section 52-19 (c) if the lot is served by a private septic system.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  RE-1 one-acre rural estate district, Delafield city

  • Corner side yard 30 feet; rear yard 20 feet
  • Other districts differ

  front yard: >= 50 feet · interior side yard: >= 20 feet · rear yard: >= 20 feet

  “minimum front yard setback shall be 50 feet. (8) minimum interior side yard. minimum interior side yard shall be 20 feet. (9) minimum corner side yard. minimum corner side yard shall be 30 feet. (10) minimum rear yard. minimum rear yard shall be 20 feet.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Residences in RE-1 one-acre rural estate district, Delafield city

  • Accessory buildings: ten feet maximum, 15 feet if averaging; 25 feet maximum peak

  residence max height: <= 25 feet (35 feet if averaging; 45 feet maximum peak)

  “a. residence. 25 feet maximum, 35 feet if averaging; 45 feet maximum peak height for gable, gambrel, hip and pitch roofs. b. accessory building. ten feet maximum, 15 feet if averaging; 25 feet maximum peak height for gable, gambrel, hip and pitch roofs.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  New construction building permit fees in Delafield city

  • Fee schedule explains how fees are determined; amounts not retrieved

  “the fee schedule explains how fees are determined. the building inspector will determine the building permit fees.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Delafield or Waukesha County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder inside Delafield city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Delafield city
• Inspections — Inspections inside Delafield city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy permits inside Delafield city
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Delafield city

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.