Zoning FAQ

Minor structures are small garden or utility sheds which do not exceed 100 square feet in area and six feet ten inches in height and movable. There is no permit required for minor structures but they do have to meet setback requirements.

The setback requirements for a minor structure are: three feet from the side and rear lot lines, 30 feet from the road right-of-way, ten feet from any other structure and 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark of any navigable lake, channel, river or stream.

Docks are generally structures located over navigable bodies of water and are regulated by the DNR. Please contact the Oshkosh DNR office at (920) 424-3050.

Every water-front lot is allowed one boathouse as an accessory use. The principal use (house) must be present or under construction on the same lot as the boathouse.

Boathouses are not allowed to be built waterward of the Ordinary High Water Mark.

Please see our link at "Building Information – Boathouses" for detailed information about building setbacks, size, and uses.

The maximum height of a structure is determined by the type of structure and the zoning district. Most principal structures (home, business, etc,) have a maximum height limitation of 35 feet. Accessory buildings (garage, sheds, etc) generally have a maximum height limitation of 18 feet. Boathouses however, have a maximum height limitation of 15 feet. See height measurement diagram at end of zoning ordinance to determine how height is measured.

Above ground pools require a zoning permit to be issued prior to their construction. Any decks or fences associated with the pool also require permit approval prior to construction.

Most properties are allowed fences of one kind or another based on the type of zoning and setback requirements from road rights-of-way and navigable waters. No fences are allowed within 75 ft. of the ordinary high water mark of navigable waters.

There will be height limitations and if located in County zoning jurisdiction a permit is generally required. A permit is generally not required for two eight foot long sections. If you live in a subdivision there may be covenants which restrict fences. County zoning does not regulate covenants.

Generally, garages are allowed on a lot only if the principal structure(house) is present or under construction.

Garages are limited in size by both the zoning district and lot size. Both attached garages and detached garages combined are considered when determining the square footage allowed for the lot.

In a few instances, a garage lot may be across the road from residential lake lot where there is not enough room on the lake lot for a garage and a house. See "Garage Lots" on our website.

There are a number of things that affect this answer. If the house has a private sanitary system you should contact the County zoning office to see if there are limitations to house additions. Whether a house is conforming or not for any reason may affect house addition allowances.

There is no such rule. Leaving one wall standing will not grandfather a non-conforming structure. Once the cost of rebuilding exceeds 50% of the equalized assessed value of the existing structure, it is considered a new structure that must meet all current ordinance requirements. Questionable estimates of building cost will be calculated by the zoning office using nationally recognized standards.  

The County and the Town are looking for different information in their permit approval process. The County is reviewing setbacks, sizes, zoning, and future land use. The Town’s approval relates to how a structure is constructed and may also involve other local ordinances.