City of Tomah fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Tomah? Yes. The City of Tomah 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 City of Tomah (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $20.00 (flat fee for fence permits) source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 3 ft in front of the setback line (residential districts) source
- Corner lots
- No fence, hedge or other obstruction may interfere with clear vision on corner lots (see Sec. 52-114); on reverse corner lots, street-side yard fences may be up to 6 ft subject to the code's limits source
- Distance from lot line
- No closer than 2 ft from the property line; this can be waived if a maintenance-free fence is installed. source
- Not allowed
- Chain link or metal wire fences may not exceed 4 ft on residential properties. No barbed wire or electric fence under 6 ft in height within the city (except agricultural use); barbed wire or electric fences over 6 ft need building inspector approval first. source
- How to apply
- Online portal, in person source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Tomah
Steps based on tomahwi.gov — fence permit qa r02
- Check your plan against the City's Fence Checklist (height, 2 ft setback, corner vision rules).
- Get a property survey showing your lot lines and where the fence will go.
- Prepare a to-scale plan view with measurements to the property lines, plus a description of the fence height and materials.
- Apply through the City's 'Permit Portal for Fences & Sheds' (linked on the Permits/Important Info page) or bring the documents to the Zoning/Inspection Department at City Hall, 819 Superior Ave.
- Pay the $20 fence permit fee and wait for building inspector approval before building.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- $20 flat fee
- Review time
- Building inspector approval required before construction
Who to contact
- Phone
- 608-374-7511
- [email protected]
- Address
- Zoning/Inspection Department, City Hall, 819 Superior Ave, Tomah, WI 54660
Contact from tomahwi.gov — permitsimportant info
What to submit
- One set of to-scale plans with a plan view showing fence placement and measurements to property lines (may be emailed)
- Description of the fence, including height and type of materials
- Property survey showing the property boundaries and proposed fence location (code: survey stamped by a Wisconsin Professional Land Surveyor)
Other rules to know
- Fences that block access to gas, electric or water meters must have a gate giving access without going through a building.
- Existing nonconforming fences cannot be altered or enlarged without making the entire fence conform.
- Security fences up to 10 ft (open-type) are allowed only outside residential districts; the plan commission may allow up to 8 ft to screen utilities or dumpsters.
- The City's two pages list different names for the fence permit contact (Charlie Handy on the Permits page, Nick Morales on the Building Inspector page) with the same email [email protected] and phone 608-374-7511; an older fence Q&A lists the Zoning/Inspection Department at (608) 374-7429.
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 City of Tomah, WI?
Yes. The City of Tomah requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Tomah?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: 3 ft in front of the setback line (residential districts). Corner lots: No fence, hedge or other obstruction may interfere with clear vision on corner lots (see Sec. 52-114); on reverse corner lots, street-side yard fences may be up to 6 ft subject to the code's limits.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Tomah?
No closer than 2 ft from the property line; this can be waived if a maintenance-free fence is installed.
How much is a fence permit in the City of Tomah?
$20.00 (flat fee for fence permits).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Tomah?
Check your plan against the City's Fence Checklist (height, 2 ft setback, corner vision rules). Get a property survey showing your lot lines and where the fence will go. Prepare a to-scale plan view with measurements to the property lines, plus a description of the fence height and materials. Apply through the City's 'Permit Portal for Fences & Sheds' (linked on the Permits/Important Info page) or bring the documents to the Zoning/Inspection Department at City Hall, 819 Superior Ave. Pay the $20 fence permit fee and wait for building inspector approval before building. permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Tomah (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Tomah?
City of Tomah fence, sign and small-shed permits. Phone 608-374-7511, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Tomah's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Tomah Code Ch. 52 Zoning, Sec. 52-209 Fences and hedges
Work for the City of Tomah? 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.