Village of Butler fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Village of Butler? Yes. The Village of Butler 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 Butler (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- 2026 fee schedule lists a fence permit at $50.00 (Building Permits) and fences at $75.00 (Residential), each plus a $45 zoning permit fee and 40% admin fee source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- No front yard fences; ornamental fences in the street yard up to 2 1/2 ft source
- Corner lots
- Street side yard fences up to 6 ft if they stop at the front face of the house and are set back at least 3 ft from the lot line; only one street yard may have an ornamental fence; ornamental fences may not extend into the vision clearance triangle source
- Distance from lot line
- At least 2 ft from any public right-of-way; street side yard fences on corner lots at least 3 ft from the lot line. Not in the street right-of-way or across driveways. source
- Good side faces
- Finished or decorative side faces the adjoining property. source
- Not allowed
- Electrified or shock fences and barbed wire (barbed wire only in industrial areas under conditions); fences of only posts or incomplete framing; unsightly or dangerous materials such as scrap lumber, chicken wire and wood pallets. source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the Village of Butler
Steps based on butlerwi.gov — building inspection
- Register on the Village's online permit portal (CommunityCore).
- Complete, sign and date the paper permit application from the Permits and Applications page.
- Upload the application, your plans and a survey or GIS map showing the fence.
- Pay the fees; inspections can be requested by 4 pm for the next business day at [email protected].
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Fence fee plus $45 zoning permit fee and 40% admin fee
- Review time
- Building Board approval per code
- Inspections
- Request by 4 pm for next business day ([email protected])
Who to contact
Justin Brandt
Building Official (SAFEbuilt) - zoning for decks and fences
- Phone
- 262-226-0267
- [email protected]
- Hours
- No set office hours; Village office Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
- Address
- Village Hall, 12621 W. Hampton Ave, Butler, WI 53007
Contact from butlerwi.gov — building inspection
What to submit
- Completed, signed and dated paper permit application
- Plans
- Survey or GIS map showing the fence
Other rules to know
- A permit is needed to erect, alter, repair or modify a fence, and the code calls for Building Board approval.
- The two fence fee lines in the 2026 fee schedule differ; confirm which applies.
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 Butler, WI?
Yes. The Village of Butler requires a permit before you build a fence. A permit is needed to erect, alter, repair or modify a fence, and the code calls for Building Board approval.
How tall can a fence be in the Village of Butler?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft. Front (street) yard: No front yard fences; ornamental fences in the street yard up to 2 1/2 ft. Corner lots: Street side yard fences up to 6 ft if they stop at the front face of the house and are set back at least 3 ft from the lot line; only one street yard may have an ornamental fence; ornamental fences may not extend into the vision clearance triangle.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Village of Butler?
At least 2 ft from any public right-of-way; street side yard fences on corner lots at least 3 ft from the lot line. Not in the street right-of-way or across driveways.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Village of Butler?
Finished or decorative side faces the adjoining property.
How much is a fence permit in the Village of Butler?
2026 fee schedule lists a fence permit at $50.00 (Building Permits) and fences at $75.00 (Residential), each plus a $45 zoning permit fee and 40% admin fee.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Village of Butler?
Register on the Village's online permit portal (CommunityCore). Complete, sign and date the paper permit application from the Permits and Applications page. Upload the application, your plans and a survey or GIS map showing the fence. Pay the fees; inspections can be requested by 4 pm for the next business day at [email protected]. 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 Butler (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Village of Butler?
Justin Brandt, Building Official (SAFEbuilt) - zoning for decks and fences. Phone 262-226-0267, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from the Village of Butler's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Ordinance: Zoning Code Sec. 54-601 Fences (as amended by Ord. No. 25-11)
Work for the Village of Butler? 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.