Village of Elm Grove fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Village of Elm Grove? Yes. The Village of Elm Grove 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 Elm Grove (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Fee
- See Building Permit Fee Schedule (fees nonrefundable) source
- Side and rear yards
- 4 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- Fences may not project forward of the rear line of the home; garden fences up to 36 in. and decorative fences up to 4 ft may be in setback areas source
- Distance from lot line
- Fences may not project forward of the rear line of the home. Garden fences may be in a side, rear or street yard setback; decorative fences may be in a setback area; screening devices must meet district setbacks. source
- Good side faces
- Structural support components go on the interior side of the fence. source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire, chain link and other wire-type material (garden fences may use heavy-coated wire, but not barbed wire or chain link). Fences must be more than 50% open. source
- How to apply
- Call 262-782-6700 source
How to file for a fence permit in the Village of Elm Grove
Steps based on elmgrovewi.org — Fences
- Fill out the Village Building Permit Form.
- Attach a survey or site plan with the fence location and dimensions, and a picture or cut sheet showing dimensions, materials and colors.
- Apply electronically through the Village's Community Core permit portal (Apply for a Permit button on the Building Permit page).
- Fence doesn't meet the rules? Apply for a Building Board variance at least 4 weeks before a meeting.
- Schedule inspections by 4 pm for the next business day (262-420-4732).
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
- Paying
- Per Building Permit Fee Schedule; nonrefundable
- Review time
- Building Board only for variances
- Inspections
- Schedule by 4 pm for next business day: 262-420-4732, [email protected]
Who to contact
Ethan Sowl
Zoning & Planning Administrator / Assistant Village Manager
- Phone
- 262-782-6700
- Address
- Village Hall, 13600 Juneau Boulevard, Elm Grove, WI 53122
Contact from elmgrovewi.org — Fences
What to submit
- Building Permit Form
- Visual of the fence with dimensions, materials and colors (plan or cut sheet)
- Parcel survey or site plan showing fence location and dimensions
- Landscape plan (only if new landscaping is proposed)
- For variances: Building Board Worksheet, Building Permit Addendum and a variance letter using the Findings of Fact document
Other rules to know
- Fences that meet all Village rules need only a building permit; fences that don't need a variance from the Building Board after a public hearing (Board meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.).
- Garden fences may enclose no more than 750 sq ft; decorative fences no more than 40 ft total length; screening devices (less than 50% open) up to 4 ft high and 20 ft total length.
- For Building Board items, submit digital materials to the Zoning and Planning Administrator at least 4 weeks before the meeting, then 14 hard copies (11x18) after review.
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 Elm Grove, WI?
Yes. The Village of Elm Grove requires a permit before you build a fence.
How tall can a fence be in the Village of Elm Grove?
Side and rear yards: 4 ft. Front (street) yard: Fences may not project forward of the rear line of the home; garden fences up to 36 in. and decorative fences up to 4 ft may be in setback areas.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Village of Elm Grove?
Fences may not project forward of the rear line of the home. Garden fences may be in a side, rear or street yard setback; decorative fences may be in a setback area; screening devices must meet district setbacks.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Village of Elm Grove?
Structural support components go on the interior side of the fence.
How much is a fence permit in the Village of Elm Grove?
See Building Permit Fee Schedule (fees nonrefundable).
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Village of Elm Grove?
Fill out the Village Building Permit Form. Attach a survey or site plan with the fence location and dimensions, and a picture or cut sheet showing dimensions, materials and colors. Apply electronically through the Village's Community Core permit portal (Apply for a Permit button on the Building Permit page). Fence doesn't meet the rules? Apply for a Building Board variance at least 4 weeks before a meeting. Schedule inspections by 4 pm for the next business day (262-420-4732). permit.guide can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the Village of Elm Grove (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Village of Elm Grove?
Ethan Sowl, Zoning & Planning Administrator / Assistant Village Manager. Phone 262-782-6700.
Sources
Summarized from the Village of Elm Grove's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the Village of Elm Grove? 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.