Town of Big Flats fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Town of Big Flats? Yes. The Town of Big Flats requires a permit before you build a fence.
permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the Town of Big Flats (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- Set by Town Board resolution (amount not found online); doubled if work starts before the permit is issued source
- Side and rear yards
- 8 ft (solid screening fence inside property lines, residential districts) source
- Front (street) yard
- No specific limit stated; "Open fences" are permitted within front setback lines source
- Corner lots
- Vision clearance triangles at intersections: 50 ft for state, federal and county roads, 25 ft for town roads source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences must be inside property lines (no numeric setback stated). source
- Not allowed
- No fence types expressly prohibited; security fences (inside property lines, all districts) max 10 ft and of an open type similar to woven wire fencing. source
- How to apply
- Call 608-564-7754 source
Still being confirmed with Big Flats: Do fences under 6 feet need a Town Land Use Permit, and what is the fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the Town of Big Flats
Steps based on bigflatswi.com — BF Zoning Ord+9 10 2024
- Call the Town of Big Flats (608-564-7754) for a Land Use Permit application. It is also on the Apps & Forms page.
- Draw a plot plan to scale showing your lot lines and where the fence goes.
- Stake the fence location so the Zoning Administrator can inspect the site.
- Wait for the Land Use Permit before you build. The fee doubles if you start early.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Town fee set by resolution
- Inspections
- Zoning Administrator inspects the staked site
- Permit good for
- 1 year
Who to contact
Richard Westover
Zoning Administrator (listed as "ZA" in Plan Commission minutes)
- Phone
- 608-564-7754
- Address
- Town of Big Flats, 1104 County Road C, Arkdale, WI 54613-9728
Contact from bigflatswi.com — PC+Minutes+10+28+25+(1)
What to submit
- Town Land Use Permit application (Apps & Forms page)
- Plot plan drawn to scale showing lot dimensions and structure locations
- Stake the site before the Zoning Administrator inspects
Other rules to know
- Town FAQ: driveway, garage, outbuilding, fence - "Yes. New construction requires a Land Use Permit before proceeding." The Land Use & Zoning Ordinance (amended 9-10-2024) Sec. 4.I.2.b says "Fencing 6 (six) feet and higher requires a Land Use Permit in all districts."
- The ordinance's 8-ft solid fence standard (Sec. 4.I.2) is written for screening properties and stored vehicles/equipment; the screening fence may be no more than 4 inches off the ground.
- Big Flats has its own town zoning; Adams County shoreland zoning still applies near water.
Before you dig
Call Diggers Hotline at 811 (or file online at diggershotline.com) at least 3 business days before digging post holes. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the Town of Big Flats, WI?
Yes. The Town of Big Flats requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Town of Big Flats?
Side and rear yards: 8 ft (solid screening fence inside property lines, residential districts). Front (street) yard: No specific limit stated; "Open fences" are permitted within front setback lines. Corner lots: Vision clearance triangles at intersections: 50 ft for state, federal and county roads, 25 ft for town roads.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Town of Big Flats?
Fences must be inside property lines (no numeric setback stated).
How much is a fence permit in the Town of Big Flats?
Set by Town Board resolution (amount not found online); doubled if work starts before the permit is issued.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Town of Big Flats?
Call the Town of Big Flats (608-564-7754) for a Land Use Permit application. It is also on the Apps & Forms page. Draw a plot plan to scale showing your lot lines and where the fence goes. Stake the fence location so the Zoning Administrator can inspect the site. Wait for the Land Use Permit before you build. The fee doubles if you start early. Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging. permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the Town of Big Flats (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Town of Big Flats?
Richard Westover, Zoning Administrator (listed as "ZA" in Plan Commission minutes). Phone 608-564-7754.
Sources
Summarized from the Town of Big Flats's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Town of Big Flats Land Use and Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.I.2 (amended 9-10-2024)
Work for the Town of Big Flats? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.