Village of Whitefish Bay fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Village of Whitefish Bay? Yes. The Village of Whitefish Bay 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 Whitefish Bay (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $0.50 per linear foot of fence, $55 minimum source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft (code: overall 74 inches, structure 72 inches) source
- Front (street) yard
- Front yard 3 1/2 ft (code: overall 44 inches, structure 42 inches) source
- Corner lots
- On a corner lot, the part of a rear-yard fence within the side setback must meet front-yard limits where it abuts an adjacent front yard; fences within 35 ft of intersecting curblines are subject to § 9-2D(4) source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences must be at least 18 inches from a retaining wall. No general lot-line setback stated. source
- Good side faces
- The 'finished' side must face the neighboring property. source
- Not allowed
- Electrified fences; unknuckled ends or barbed wire. Snow fences only December 1 to March 31. source
- How to apply
- Mail, in person source
How to file for a fence permit in the Village of Whitefish Bay
Steps based on wfbvillage.gov — Permits
- Fill out the Fence Permit (fillable PDF on the Village Permits page).
- Draw a site plan showing the fence location and heights (Milwaukee County GIS Plat of Survey Search may have your survey) and note the fence type and style.
- Mail or bring it with payment to Building Services, 5300 N. Marlborough Dr.
- Schedule inspections with at least 24 hours' notice (414-962-6690).
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- $0.50 per linear foot, $55 minimum, non-refundable
- Inspections
- At least 24 hours' notice; call 414-962-6690
- Permit good for
- Permit expires in 6 months
Who to contact
Joel Oestreich
Director and Lead Building/Commercial Inspector
- Phone
- 414-962-6690
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Office Mon-Fri 8-10 a.m.
- Address
- Building Services, 5300 N. Marlborough Dr., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Contact from wfbvillage.gov — Building Services
What to submit
- Fence Permit application
- Site plan showing the fence location and heights
- Type and style of the proposed fence
- Payment
Other rules to know
- A fence permit is required for new or replacement fences, and for retaining walls.
- Permitted materials: wood or wood-simulated materials, wrought iron or other metal for aesthetic appearance.
- Work started before permit issuance: 4x fee; not meeting ordinance: 6x fee. Fees non-refundable.
- Posts spaced 4 1/2 ft or more apart may extend 6 inches above the limit (max 18 inches); grade may not be raised to allow a taller fence.
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 Whitefish Bay, WI?
Yes. The Village of Whitefish Bay requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Village of Whitefish Bay?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (code: overall 74 inches, structure 72 inches). Front (street) yard: Front yard 3 1/2 ft (code: overall 44 inches, structure 42 inches). Corner lots: On a corner lot, the part of a rear-yard fence within the side setback must meet front-yard limits where it abuts an adjacent front yard; fences within 35 ft of intersecting curblines are subject to § 9-2D(4).
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Village of Whitefish Bay?
Fences must be at least 18 inches from a retaining wall. No general lot-line setback stated.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Village of Whitefish Bay?
The 'finished' side must face the neighboring property.
How much is a fence permit in the Village of Whitefish Bay?
$0.50 per linear foot of fence, $55 minimum.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Village of Whitefish Bay?
Fill out the Fence Permit (fillable PDF on the Village Permits page). Draw a site plan showing the fence location and heights (Milwaukee County GIS Plat of Survey Search may have your survey) and note the fence type and style. Mail or bring it with payment to Building Services, 5300 N. Marlborough Dr. Schedule inspections with at least 24 hours' notice (414-962-6690). 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 Whitefish Bay (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Village of Whitefish Bay?
Joel Oestreich, Director and Lead Building/Commercial Inspector. Phone 414-962-6690, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the Village of Whitefish Bay's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Village Code Ch. 16, Art. XI (§§ 16-66 to 16-73) Fences, Walls and Berms
Work for the Village of Whitefish Bay? 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.