Shed permit rules in New Berlin, WI — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Sheds in New Berlin are accessory buildings under Section 275-42 of the New Berlin Zoning Code. Sheds 144 square feet or less may be located only in the side or rear yard, must be a minimum of 5 feet from all property lines if in the rear yard, must meet the underlying zoning district setbacks if in the side yard, and must be placed on a concrete slab, patio block, asphalt, polycarbonate base, or pressure-treated wood floor. A minimum of 10 feet of separation is required between the shed and any other structure (5 feet with proper fire separation approved by the Building Inspector).
New Berlin's Department of Community Development - Inspection Services Division (3805 S. Casper Drive, 262-797-2445) regulates sheds as accessory buildings under Section 275-42 of the New Berlin Zoning Code, with two distinct project guidelines. Sheds 144 square feet or less follow the 'Sheds' guidelines: maximum size 144 square feet (the structure does not count against the maximum combined accessory-building square footage in Table 275-42-1 if at or below 144 sq ft); height limited to one story and 18 feet (DCD may waive up to 21 feet to match the principal structure); placement restricted to the side or rear yard only - never the front yard; rear-yard placement requires a minimum 5-foot setback from all property lines; side-yard placement must meet the underlying zoning district setback; minimum 10-foot building separation from any other structure (Building Inspector may waive to 5 feet from the principal residence with proper fire separation); and the shed must sit on a concrete slab, solid base of patio block, asphalt, polycarbonate, or pressure-treated wood floor. A survey or city-provided site plan drawn to scale is required, and the homeowner is responsible for locating and marking lot lines. Accessory buildings greater than 144 square feet follow the 'Accessory Buildings' guidelines: a foundation or concrete slab is required, the maximum combined accessory-building footprint is capped by lot area under Table 275-42-1 (840 sq ft for lots under 2 acres, up to 3,000 sq ft for lots 5 acres and greater), and the maximum number of accessory buildings is 2 for lots under 2.5 acres and 3 for larger lots. Accessory dwelling units and living quarters are not permitted within any accessory building. Homes on on-site septic systems must obtain Waukesha County Department of Parks & Land Use approval before submitting an accessory-building application. Sheds remain subject to Wisconsin Statute 62.23 zoning authority and to the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code through Waukesha County for any electrical work, which requires a separate permit by a licensed electrician.
A shed installed in the front yard, inside the 5-foot rear-yard setback, without the required slab/patio-block/PT-wood floor, or in excess of the 144-square-foot threshold without an Accessory Buildings permit violates Section 275-42 and is enforceable by the New Berlin Building Inspections Division under the New Berlin Code Compliance program. Typical responses include a stop-work order, an order to relocate or remove the structure, and after-the-fact permit fees. A shed placed on septic-served property without prior Waukesha County approval may also be ordered moved by the Waukesha County Department of Parks & Land Use, Division of Environmental Health (262-896-8300).
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