Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Menasha, Wisconsin

Menasha’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Garages and accessory buildings in R-1, R-1A, R-2 and R-2A districts inside Menasha city

  • Building and zoning fees are paid together at application
  • A plot plan drawn to scale is required

  “constructing a garage or accessory building will require a building permit which requires a building and zoning fee.”

• InspectionsRequired

  New construction, additions and remodeling inside Menasha city

  • Inspections at key stages: foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, final

  “during new construction, additions, and remodeling projects, inspections are required at key stages of the building process, such as the foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, and final inspection.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Menasha city limits

  • Source is the city's factsheet dated 12/6/2022; the Title 13 code text itself was not opened.

  “when your permit and plot plan are submitted, community development staff will undertake a zoning review.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts inside Menasha city

  • Only R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A named in the factsheet; full district list in the city's zoning code and map not opened

  “garages and accessory buildings (sheds) (r-1, r1a, r-2, and r-2a zoning districts)”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Detached garages and accessory buildings in R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A districts inside Menasha city (overall lot coverage not found)

  • Factsheet current as of 12/6/2022
  • Also size caps: detached garage 816 sq ft (R-1/R-1A), 624 sq ft per dwelling unit (R-2/R-2A); accessory building 200 sq ft

  max share of rear yard: <= 30 percent

  “detached garages and accessory buildings shall not occupy more than 30% of any rear yard.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Garages and accessory structures in R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A districts inside Menasha city (principal-building height not found)

  • Height may increase 1 ft for each foot required side and rear yards are increased
  • Never above height of the principal building
  • Factsheet current as of 12/6/2022

  sidewall height: <= 12 ft · overall height: <= 18 ft (may increase with larger setbacks)

  “sidewalls shall not exceed 12' in height. overall height of the garage or accessory structure may not exceed 18', except that the height may increase 1' for each foot the required side and rear yard setbacks are increased.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications for new structures inside Menasha city

  • Online residential permitting portal exists; commercial permits handled separately
  • Zoning review by Community Development staff follows submittal

  “the community development department requires that a plot plan drawn to scale be submitted before a permit can be issued for any new structure.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Menasha city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Menasha city
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy certificates inside Menasha city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Menasha city
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Menasha 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.