Brown County, WI Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Brown County, WI, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Critical slope setback
- 20 feet from ridgeline
- Shed/accessory footprint cap
- 500 sq ft combined
- Larger footprint route
- geotechnical study + permit
- Citation
- Brown County Code § 22.30
Summary
Brown County lets storage sheds and other accessory structures sit inside the 20-foot critical slope setback, but caps their combined footprint at 500 square feet in the unincorporated towns and shoreland zone.
22.30 CRITICAL SLOPE SETBACK. All residential, commercial or industrial structures shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the top ridgeline of a 20% or greater slope measured to the foundation and must comply with the ordinary high-water mark required setbacks of this ordinance, whichever is greater. Elevation change will be analyzed to determine how steep or significant the slope is to decide the applicability of this section. Decks, patios, stairways, fences, gazebos, screen houses, pools, boathouses and storage sheds can be located within the 20-foot setback but must not exceed a building footprint of 500 square feet. If a geotechnical study is completed for the proposed area, a shoreland permit may be issued for a structure within the 20-foot setback subject to being constructed following the recommendations of the study. A certificate of compliance will need to be completed by the responsible architect or engineer after construction and prior to occupancy. This certificate must be returned to the Zoning Office within 60 days of completion of the project.
(22)14
(1) Special exceptions. A special exception permit shall be required for the following:
(a) For any proposed encroachment into the critical slope setback not identified in section 22.30 of this ordinance.
REMOVAL OF SHORE COVER - VEGETATION
Full Breakdown
Section 22.30 of Chapter 22 requires a 20-foot setback from the top of any ridgeline with a slope of 20% or greater, on top of the ordinary high-water mark setback, whichever is greater. Storage sheds, along with decks, patios, stairways, fences, gazebos, screen houses, pools and boathouses, may sit inside that 20-foot critical slope setback, but their combined building footprint cannot exceed 500 square feet. A shoreland permit for a larger footprint is possible only with a geotechnical study confirming the site is stable. The rule governs unincorporated Brown County towns and the shoreland zone, not Green Bay, De Pere or the villages.
Violations & Fines
A licensed architect or engineer must certify compliance with the geotechnical study within 60 days of completion and file it with the Zoning Office; unpermitted encroachment draws a Chapter 30 forfeiture penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a shed within 20 feet of a steep slope in Brown County?
Does the shoreland setback also apply to sheds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brown County
How Brown County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Brown County to another location·View the Wisconsin accessory structures overview
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