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Waukesha, Wisconsin Fence Guidelines

The City of Waukesha recently updated the rules for fences, particularly for corner lots. These rules are to ensure the city maintains a neat and uniform appearance.

Corner Lot Fence Rules

1. Fence Height Limitation: No matter where your property is, any solid fence you put up can’t be taller than 6 feet. This measurement is taken vertically from the ground.
2. Front Yard Fences: If your property has only one street frontage (that is, your property borders only one street), solid fences are allowed in your side yards and back yard. But, if you want to extend your fence into your front yard, it can only go as far as the line of the front of the house on the lot next to yours.
3. Fences on Corner Lots or Double Frontage Lots: For homes on corner lots or properties with streets at both the front and back (double frontage), a different rule applies. Here, the yard facing the street of your property’s address is considered the “Street Yard”. You’re not allowed to have a solid fence in the Street Yard. However, you can have a solid fence in the yard facing the street that is not your property’s address.
4. Distance from Public Right-of-Way: Your solid fence can’t be closer than 1 foot to a public right-of-way. A public right-of-way can be a public sidewalk or alley. So, in most cases, your fence should be at least 1 foot away from these.
5. Vision Triangles: To ensure safety at driveways and alleys, your solid fence must provide a vision triangle 6 feet on the right-angle sides.
6. Existing Fences: If you already have a fence that isn’t following these new rules, don’t panic. You can keep it until more than 50% of the supporting structure needs replacement. At that point, you’ll need to move and modify the fence to comply with these guidelines.
7. Small Front Yards: For lots where the front yard is less than 20 feet deep, there may be additional rules in Municipal Code §22.53(1) that you have to follow.

These guidelines came into effect on June 16th, 2021.

This is just a simplified explanation, and there might be other rules or exceptions that apply to your specific property. It’s always a good idea to double-check with the City of Waukesha before you start building your fence.

Remember, these rules are in place to ensure everyone’s safety and to keep our city looking great. Let’s all do our part! If you’re ready to start your fence project, we at Milwaukee Fence Finders are here to help. Explore our variety of wood fences and vinyl fences, check out our residential gallery, or request an online quote to get started.

Fence Permit requiements in Waukesha County, WI

In Waukesha County, Wisconsin, the requirement for a permit for a perimeter fence depends on the specific local municipality in which the property is located. The County itself does not require a permit for the construction of perimeter fences. However, individual cities, towns, and villages within the county may have their own regulations and permit requirements that need to be complied with.

Here are a few municipalities within Waukesha County where a permit might be required:

1. City of Waukesha: The city might require a permit for fences over a certain height or for fences located in certain zones. Visit the City’s Building Inspection page on their official website or contact them for more information.
2. Town of Brookfield: This town has specific regulations for fences, including height restrictions and setback requirements. A permit is often required, and more details can be found on their website’s Building Permits page.
3. Village of Sussex: The village typically requires permits for fences, particularly for those over a certain height or those located in specific areas. Visit the village’s Building Inspection Department page on their website for more details.
4. City of New Berlin: New Berlin has its own regulations for fences, and a permit is usually necessary. Check out their website’s Building Inspection page for more information.

It’s always recommended to check with your specific local municipality before installing a perimeter fence to ensure you’re in compliance with all local regulations and ordinances.

Please note, Waukesha County does require a permit for entrance gates and monuments. Therefore, if your fence project includes a gate or a monument, you would need to apply for a county permit regardless of local municipality requirements. Always make sure to verify this information with county authorities to avoid any potential issues.

How do I obtain a fence permit application in Waukesha County?

For the most accurate and current information, please search for the official website of the respective municipality followed by “building permit application”. The specific URLs can change over time as websites are updated, so it’s best to find the most current link through a direct search.

Disclaimer:

The information provided by Fence Finders LLC regarding building permits and regulations is for general informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the site.