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Mosinee, WI Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Shed permit rules in Mosinee, 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

Buildings allowed
Garage plus one more accessory building
Height limit
Not taller than the principal building
Rear yard coverage
Max 40% of required rear yard
Lot-line clearance
3 ft from lot line/other building
Alley clearance
5 ft from alley right-of-way
Principal-structure gap
10 ft, unless one-hour fire-rated

Summary

A residential lot in Mosinee may hold the principal house plus a detached or attached garage and one additional accessory building, under § 42-786(b). Detached sheds and garages can't sit in the required front yard, can't cover more than 40 percent of the required rear yard, and must clear alley and lot lines by five and three feet.

(b)Placement restrictions. An accessory use or structure in a residential district may be established subject to the following regulations:(1)Accessory building number limits. In any residential district, in addition to the principal building, a detached garage or attached garage and one additional accessory building may be placed on a lot.(2)Accessory building size limits. No detached accessory building or structure shall exceed the height of the principal building or structure. ... (4)Detached accessory buildings. No detached accessory building shall occupy any portion of the required front yard, and no detached accessory building shall occupy more than 40 percent of the required rear yard, or be located within five feet of an alley right-of-way or be located within three feet of any other accessory building or lot line. An accessory building shall not be nearer than ten feet to the principal structure unless the applicable building code regulations in regard to one-hour, fire-resistive construction are complied with. In no event can the accessory uses or structures be forward of the front line of the principal structure.

Full Breakdown

Section 42-786(b), "Placement restrictions," governs how many accessory buildings a residential lot can carry and where they can sit. Paragraph (1) caps the count at a detached or attached garage plus one additional accessory building, on top of the house itself. Paragraph (2) caps height: no detached accessory building or structure may exceed the height of the principal building on the same lot. Paragraph (4) sets the placement rules that do the most work for a shed or garage: no detached accessory building may occupy any part of the required front yard; none may cover more than 40 percent of the required rear yard; none may sit closer than five feet to an alley right-of-way or three feet to another accessory building or a lot line; and none may sit closer than ten feet to the principal structure unless the wall facing it meets one-hour fire-resistive construction.

The subsection also repeats that an accessory structure can never sit forward of the principal building's front line, wherever the required yard is measured. Paragraph (5) then cross-references the district-specific dimensional tables for accessory building setbacks, so a shed's exact side-yard distance still depends on which zoning district the lot sits in. Attached garages are governed separately under paragraph (3), which requires them to meet the same yard requirements and complementary architectural style as the house itself, rather than the detached-building rules above.

Violations & Fines

A shed or garage built outside these limits is a zoning violation under § 42-67. The common council, zoning administrator, plan commission, or a specifically damaged property owner may sue to enjoin the violation or force the structure removed; after 30 days of noncompliance with a written order, the city can pursue legal action, and a conviction carries a forfeiture with a $100 statutory minimum plus any additional penalty under § 1-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sheds or garages can I have on a residential lot in Mosinee?
Two beyond the house. Section 42-786(b)(1) allows a detached or attached garage "and one additional accessory building" on any residential lot in the city, on top of the principal building itself.
Can my shed be taller than my house?
No. Section 42-786(b)(2) caps every detached accessory building at the height of the principal building or structure on the same lot, so a shed or garage cannot rise above the house it sits behind.
How close to my property line can I build a detached garage?
At least three feet from any lot line or another accessory building, and at least five feet from an alley right-of-way, under § 42-786(b)(4). It also has to sit at least ten feet from the principal house unless that wall meets one-hour fire-resistive construction.
Can I put a shed in my front yard?
No. Section 42-786(b)(4) bars any detached accessory building from occupying any portion of the required front yard, and separately says an accessory structure can never sit forward of the front line of the principal structure.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Mosinee

All Mosinee rules

How Mosinee compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Mosinee to another location·View the Wisconsin accessory structures overview

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