Zoning FAQ

We must know information about the property to answer that question. Information needed is parcel number, owner, address or certified survey map number. If the property is located in a town that has not adoptedCounty zoning, we do not have zoning information unless it is a shoreland area. All shoreland areas are regulated by County zoning.

The GIS maps on our website can also give you the zoning district information if you have the above information.

Newly created lots have minimum lot size requirements depending on whether or not the property is sewered. Generally speaking, residential minimum lot sizes range from 9,000 to 15,000 square feet in sewered areas and 20,000 to 43,000 square feet in unsewered areas. Existing lots of record not meeting the minimum area may be built on as long as all setbacks are met. Variances may be applied for where setbacks cannot be met on existing lots of record. However, there is no guarantee the variance will be granted.

In order for a property to be allowed to be built on several factors must be considered. The proposed use must be consistent with both the Zoning and the Future Land Use for the property. Other site-specific factors that could restrict construction include, but are not limited, to the presence of wetlands, floodplain, and easements. Any construction required to either meet the setbacks of the underlying zoning district or have a variance granted. Please refer to other parts of this website for details regarding a specific property.

Principal uses (houses, office buildings, etc.) and accessory uses (garages, boathouses, etc.) are allowed according to their zoning district. There are also conditional uses that are allowed on a property through a public hearing process. Check the GIS link on our website to find the zoning of your property, then connect with Chapter 23 of the General Codes on the website.  Article 8 of Chapter 23 describes land uses and includes the Land Use Matrix, Exhibit 8-1, that will tell you what uses are allowed in what district and the review requirement for approval.

Staff also provides assistance to other customers and needs to properly complete that work as a courtesy to that customer. Information regarding property can be a complicated issue, and the amount of research required can vary quite a bit from one property to another. The sooner you contact our office for information, the better. We would suggest contacting us a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to a closing.

If your call is not answered it is because people are working with another customer, they are on the phone with someone, or they are not at their desk. Calling five or six times in a row without leaving a message will not help. Leave a brief message with your name, phone number, and subject, address or parcel number, and staff will return your message as soon as possible. During the construction season, it may take somewhat longer for calls to be returned.

Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Code Enforcement Officers make an effort to be in the office to assist walk-in clients with questions, but are routinely out of the office throughout the day performing field work.

If you need to speak with a code enforcement officer in person, please call 920-232-3344 and either schedule an appointment or confirm someone will be in the office for you to meet with.