City of Sheboygan fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the City of Sheboygan? Yes. The City of Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- $40.00 source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft in rear yards (8 ft in rear areas that are not required yards) source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft within a required front or street yard source
- Corner lots
- 4 ft in the street yard; if the house sits closer to the lot line than the district requires, a solid 6 ft fence may run between the setback line and the front of the house, but from the front of the house to the lot line it must be 4 ft or less and at least 50% open source
- Distance from lot line
- Not closer than 1 ft to a front or street yard lot line. Fences may be placed on any side or rear lot line. The fence must be on your side of the line; the City does not mark property lines. source
- Good side faces
- "Good Side Out": visible supports and structural parts face the owner's property (stated in the conditional-use conditions). source
- Not allowed
- Wire mesh in required front or street yards on residential property; barbed wire except on nonresidential security fences 6 ft or higher; signs on fences. Temporary fencing (including snow fence) limited to 180 consecutive days and 180 days total per calendar year. source
- How to apply
- In person source
How to file for a fence permit in the City of Sheboygan
Steps based on sheboyganwi.gov — BLDG Permit Requirements 2024
- Download the City Building Permit Application (fillable PDF) from the Building Division page.
- Confirm where your lot line is; the City does not mark property lines, so consider a private land surveyor.
- Bring the application and $40.00 fee to Building Inspection, City Hall, 828 Center Ave, Suite 208 (920-459-3477; Mon-Thu 7:00-4:30, Fri 7:00-11:00).
- Allow about five business days for review.
- After the fence is built, schedule the final inspection (height and installation are checked).
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- $40.00 fence permit fee with the application
- Review time
- Allow five (5) business days for review (general permit requirements sheet)
- Inspections
- Final inspection after completion to check height and installation
Who to contact
- Phone
- 920-459-3477
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon-Thu 7:00 am-4:30 pm; Fri 7:00-11:00 am (Friday afternoons by appointment)
- Address
- Building Inspection Division, City Hall, 828 Center Avenue, Suite 208, Sheboygan, WI 53081
Contact from sheboyganwi.gov — Fencing Standards
What to submit
- Building Permit Application (City of Sheboygan)
- Permit fee ($40.00)
Other rules to know
- Applies to fences, landscape walls and decorative posts 30 inches or taller.
- Permits are required before a fence is erected, moved or replaced; for repairs, consult the Building Inspector.
- Heights up to 9 ft possible only with a Conditional Use Permit (Sec. 15.905).
- A 10 ft sight triangle is required at driveways and garage approaches.
- A survey is recommended (not required) to confirm the lot line.
- Recommended post depth: one-third of fence height, 36 inch minimum.
- Pools: fence at least 48 inches high (or lockable dome/cover).
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 Sheboygan, WI?
Yes. The City of Sheboygan requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the City of Sheboygan?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft in rear yards (8 ft in rear areas that are not required yards). Front (street) yard: 4 ft within a required front or street yard. Corner lots: 4 ft in the street yard; if the house sits closer to the lot line than the district requires, a solid 6 ft fence may run between the setback line and the front of the house, but from the front of the house to the lot line it must be 4 ft or less and at least 50% open.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the City of Sheboygan?
Not closer than 1 ft to a front or street yard lot line. Fences may be placed on any side or rear lot line. The fence must be on your side of the line; the City does not mark property lines.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the City of Sheboygan?
"Good Side Out": visible supports and structural parts face the owner's property (stated in the conditional-use conditions).
How much is a fence permit in the City of Sheboygan?
$40.00.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the City of Sheboygan?
Download the City Building Permit Application (fillable PDF) from the Building Division page. Confirm where your lot line is; the City does not mark property lines, so consider a private land surveyor. Bring the application and $40.00 fee to Building Inspection, City Hall, 828 Center Ave, Suite 208 (920-459-3477; Mon-Thu 7:00-4:30, Fri 7:00-11:00). Allow about five business days for review. After the fence is built, schedule the final inspection (height and installation are checked). permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the City of Sheboygan (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the City of Sheboygan?
Building Inspection Division. Phone 920-459-3477, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the City of Sheboygan's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code Sec. 15.720 Fencing Standards
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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.