Village of Browntown fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Village of Browntown? Yes. The Village of Browntown 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 Browntown (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
- Up to 8 ft; over 6 ft needs engineering from the installer or supplier plus Planning Commission approval source
- Front (street) yard
- Front yard fences shall not exceed four feet in height (subject to sight triangle rules) source
- Corner lots
- Corner side yards up to 8 ft with Planning Commission approval; sight triangle rules apply source
- Distance from lot line
- Locate the lot's metal corner stakes first. If survey markers can't be found, the fence must be 2 ft off a property line both landowners agree to in writing. Boundary fences may go on the property line with a fence permit and approval of all parties; if the parties cannot agree, a 4 ft setback from the lot line and Planning Commission approval are required. source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire or electric fences in residential zones (agricultural properties with livestock need a variance); no fences in dedicated greenways or stormwater drainage easements without Village Board permission. source
- How to apply
- Call 608-966-3273
Still being confirmed with Browntown: Who takes fence permit applications for the Planning Commission, and is there a fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the Village of Browntown
Steps based on ecode360.com — Municipal code
- Find your lot's corner stakes (or agree on the line in writing with your neighbor and stay 2 ft off it).
- Apply to the Browntown Planning Commission for a fence permit; a fence over 6 ft also needs the installer's or supplier's engineering.
- Call Diggers Hotline and other local utilities before digging.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
Who to contact
Donielle Wellnitz
Village Clerk/Treasurer
- Phone
- 608-966-3273
- [email protected]
Contact from greencountywi.org — 2025 2026 Green County Directory PDF
What to submit
- Fence permit from the Browntown Planning Commission
- Written agreement with the neighbor on the line if survey markers are missing, or neighbor approval for a boundary fence
- Engineering from the installer or supplier for fences over 6 ft
Other rules to know
- Boundary fences must be maintenance-free or have removable panels.
- Fences must keep 6 ft horizontal and 8 ft vertical clearance from overhead electric lines; contact the electric provider before fencing within 10 ft of a ground-mounted transformer.
- Penalty: $50 for a first offense, $250 for later offenses, and the fence must be corrected or removed.
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 Browntown, WI?
Yes. The Village of Browntown requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Village of Browntown?
Side and rear yards: Up to 8 ft; over 6 ft needs engineering from the installer or supplier plus Planning Commission approval. Front (street) yard: Front yard fences shall not exceed four feet in height (subject to sight triangle rules). Corner lots: Corner side yards up to 8 ft with Planning Commission approval; sight triangle rules apply.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Village of Browntown?
Locate the lot's metal corner stakes first. If survey markers can't be found, the fence must be 2 ft off a property line both landowners agree to in writing. Boundary fences may go on the property line with a fence permit and approval of all parties; if the parties cannot agree, a 4 ft setback from the lot line and Planning Commission approval are required.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Village of Browntown?
Find your lot's corner stakes (or agree on the line in writing with your neighbor and stay 2 ft off it). Apply to the Browntown Planning Commission for a fence permit; a fence over 6 ft also needs the installer's or supplier's engineering. Call Diggers Hotline and other local utilities before digging. 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 Browntown (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Village of Browntown?
Donielle Wellnitz, Village Clerk/Treasurer. Phone 608-966-3273, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the Village of Browntown's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Village Code, Fences (Ord. No. 00.07.18.2006, adopted 8-15-2006)
Work for the Village of Browntown? 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.