County Zoning Permit
Required for construction and land use activities in unincorporated areas of Wisconsin counties. County zoning ordinances regulate land use outside of city and village limits under Wisconsin Statutes §59.69. The county zoning department reviews permit applications for compliance with the county's zoning code, including setbacks, lot coverage, and use restrictions.
When Is a County Zoning Permit Required?
- New construction in unincorporated areas of the county
- Additions and alterations in unincorporated areas
- New accessory structures in unincorporated areas
- Change of use on property in unincorporated areas
When Is a County Zoning Permit NOT Required?
- Properties within incorporated cities or villages (use municipal zoning)
- Agricultural buildings exempt under county zoning ordinance
Related Permits You May Also Need
County Zoning Permit Fees by Municipality
Fee and processing time data for county zoning permit permits across Wisconsin municipalities. Click any jurisdiction for complete details including application links and requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Fee | Processing Time | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Ashland County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Barron County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Bayfield County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Brown County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Buffalo County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Burnett County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Calumet County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Chippewa County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Clark County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Columbia County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Crawford County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Dane County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Dodge County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Door County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Douglas County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Dunn County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Eau Claire County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Florence County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Fond du Lac County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Forest County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Grant County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Green County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Green Lake County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Iowa County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Iron County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Jackson County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Jefferson County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Juneau County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Kenosha County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Kewaunee County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| La Crosse County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Lafayette County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Langlade County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Lincoln County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Manitowoc County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Marathon County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Marinette County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Marquette County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Menominee County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Milwaukee County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Monroe County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Oconto County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Oneida County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Outagamie County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Ozaukee County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Pepin County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Pierce County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Polk County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Portage County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Price County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Racine County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Richland County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Rock County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Rusk County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Sauk County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Sawyer County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Shawano County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Sheboygan County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| St. Croix County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Taylor County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Trempealeau County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Vernon County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Vilas County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Walworth County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Washburn County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Washington County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Waukesha County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Waupaca County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Waushara County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
| Winnebago County | $150-$400 | 3-6 weeks | Current |
| Wood County | $75-$200 | 2-4 weeks | Current |
Data note: Fees are sourced from official municipal fee schedules and verified periodically. Actual fees may vary based on project valuation and scope. Click any jurisdiction for the most current data and direct application links.
Frequently Asked Questions — County Zoning Permit
What is county zoning in Wisconsin?
County zoning regulates land use in unincorporated areas — land outside of city and village limits. Wisconsin counties adopt zoning ordinances under §59.69 that establish zoning districts, setback requirements, lot sizes, and permitted uses. If your property is in an unincorporated town, county zoning applies instead of municipal zoning.
Do I need both a county zoning permit and a building permit?
Often, yes. In unincorporated areas, you may need a county zoning permit (verifying the project complies with county zoning) AND a building permit (verifying the structure meets building code). Some counties issue combined permits, while others require separate applications. The municipality or county responsible for building inspection issues the building permit.
Managing permits across multiple jurisdictions?
Get fee changes, requirement updates, and deadline alerts for every municipality you work in. Built for contractors, expeditors, and compliance teams.