Village of Waunakee fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Village of Waunakee? Yes. The Village of Waunakee 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 Village of Waunakee (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Side and rear yards
- Less than 6 ft on rear lot lines; 6 ft or taller needs a conditional use permit source
- Front (street) yard
- Fences 4 ft or less may go anywhere on the lot; street-yard fences 4 ft or less (Sec. 133-1135; subject to Sec. 133-993 traffic visibility) and front street yards must meet front yard setbacks source
- Corner lots
- Must conform to Sec. 133-993 vision triangles source
- Distance from lot line
- At least 2 ft from a sidewalk; street-yard fences not closer than 2 ft to any public right-of-way; fences may run along side and rear lot lines; must not block the corner vision triangle. source
- Good side faces
- The finished or decorative side faces adjoining property. source
- Not allowed
- Unsightly or dangerous materials; fences in dangerous condition, electrified or designed to shock; barbed wire only atop industrial or public utility fences. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the Village of Waunakee
Steps based on waunakee.gov — Permit Forms Instructions
- Draw a site plan showing the fence's distances from property lines, your house, and any transformers or pedestals.
- Fill out the Village Zoning Permit Application (required for fences); add the Fence Placement Acknowledgement Form if the fence is in a utility easement.
- Apply online through the GEC building permit portal and upload the forms and site plan.
- You will be emailed the amount owed once the permit is approved; don't start until you have the approved permit card.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Amount emailed after approval
Who to contact
- Phone
- 608-849-5712
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Village Hall Mon-Thu 7:00 am-4:15 pm; Fri 7:00 am-12:00 pm
- Address
- Village Hall, 500 W Main Street, Waunakee, WI 53597
Contact from waunakee.gov — Permit Forms Instructions
What to submit
- Building permit application (online GEC portal)
- Zoning Permit Application (required for fences)
- Site plan showing fence dimensions from property lines, the house, and known ground infrastructure such as transformers or pedestals
- Fence Placement Acknowledgement Form if the fence is in a utility easement
Other rules to know
- Temporary fences (up to 45 days) need no permit (Sec. 133-1135(i)).
- The code text used here is the Village of Waunakee Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 133) as mirrored on Zoneomics, where it is mislabeled 'Westport'.
- Fences may be built in some utility easements only if you sign the Fence Placement Acknowledgement Form and pay for any removal or alteration needed for utility work.
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 Village of Waunakee, WI?
Yes. The Village of Waunakee requires a permit before you build a fence. Temporary fences (up to 45 days) need no permit (Sec. 133-1135(i)).
How tall can a fence be in the Village of Waunakee?
Side and rear yards: Less than 6 ft on rear lot lines; 6 ft or taller needs a conditional use permit. Front (street) yard: Fences 4 ft or less may go anywhere on the lot; street-yard fences 4 ft or less (Sec. 133-1135; subject to Sec. 133-993 traffic visibility) and front street yards must meet front yard setbacks. Corner lots: Must conform to Sec. 133-993 vision triangles.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Village of Waunakee?
At least 2 ft from a sidewalk; street-yard fences not closer than 2 ft to any public right-of-way; fences may run along side and rear lot lines; must not block the corner vision triangle.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Village of Waunakee?
The finished or decorative side faces adjoining property.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Village of Waunakee?
Draw a site plan showing the fence's distances from property lines, your house, and any transformers or pedestals. Fill out the Village Zoning Permit Application (required for fences); add the Fence Placement Acknowledgement Form if the fence is in a utility easement. Apply online through the GEC building permit portal and upload the forms and site plan. You will be emailed the amount owed once the permit is approved; don't start until you have the approved permit card. 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 Village of Waunakee (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Village of Waunakee?
Community Development Department. Phone 608-849-5712, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the Village of Waunakee's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code Sec. 133-1135 Fences
Work for the Village of Waunakee? 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.