Shed permit rules in De Pere, WI — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
De Pere regulates sheds and other detached accessory buildings under Chapter 14 (Zoning Ordinance), which was rewritten effective January 1, 2023. A shed must be located in the rear yard, conform to the prescribed zoning district setbacks from property lines, sit at least 5 feet from any other building or structure, occupy no more than 50 percent of the required rear yard, and not exceed 850 square feet in total area. Building permits are administered by the De Pere Building Inspection Department.
Chapter 14 of the De Pere Municipal Code is the city's Zoning Ordinance, adopted under Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23. The City Council approved a comprehensive Chapter 14 rewrite in 2022 that became effective January 1, 2023, generally reducing residential lot sizes, reducing setbacks, increasing accessory building sizes, and increasing building heights compared to the prior code. Detached accessory structures, including storage sheds, garden sheds, and similar buildings, must be located in the rear yard and must comply with the property-line setbacks prescribed for the lot's zoning district. They must be at least 5 feet from any other building or structure on the lot, may not occupy more than 50 percent of the required rear yard, and cannot exceed 850 square feet in total floor area. Accessory structures may not be located in any utility, storm, or drainage easement. The De Pere Building Inspection Department at 335 South Broadway administers building permits and applies the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (Wis. Admin. Code Chapter SPS 320-325) to one- and two-family residential accessory construction. Permit application is made to Building Inspection, with zoning compliance review by the Planning & Zoning Division (920-339-4043). Sheds in the city's downtown overlay or local historic districts may require additional design review. Properties in mapped flood hazard areas under the Brown County FIRMs (effective May 9, 2023) must also satisfy De Pere's floodplain zoning under Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wis. Admin. Code NR 116 before a shed permit is issued.
Building a shed without the required zoning approval and Building Inspection permit, placing it in a front or side yard, locating it within an easement, exceeding the 850-square-foot or 50 percent rear-yard caps, or installing it within 5 feet of another building violates Chapter 14. The Planning & Zoning Division and Building Inspection Department may issue stop-work orders, citations, and daily forfeitures, and may order removal or after-the-fact permitting. Enforcement authority derives from Chapter 14 and Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23.
De Pere, WI
De Pere regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
De Pere, WI
De Pere considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
De Pere, WI
De Pere enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. The Fox River downtown area has entertainment venues that follow sound level limits. St. Norbert College cam...
De Pere, WI
De Pere enforces street parking restrictions locally. Winter alternate-side parking critical. No statewide consecutive parking limit. WI Stat. §346.503 applies.
De Pere, WI
De Pere restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
De Pere, WI
De Pere requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
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