Shed permit rules in Waukesha 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.
In unincorporated Waukesha County towns, a lot is limited to two accessory buildings and a total footprint of 600 sq ft (lots under 14,000 sq ft) or 750 sq ft / 2% of lot area on larger lots. One detached shed under 200 sq ft may sit 5 ft from
Under the County Basic Zoning Ordinance (Sec. 3.11(4)), the combined footprint of all accessory buildings is capped by lot size: 600 sq ft on lots under 14,000 sq ft, and 750 sq ft or 2% of lot area (whichever is greater) on larger lots. Sec. 3.11(4)(E) limits a lot to two accessory buildings absent Plan Commission approval. For placement, Sec. 3.09(3)(A)4 lets one detached accessory building under 200 sq ft be set 5 ft from a side lot line, and Sec. 3.09(5) requires any detached accessory building to be at least 10 ft from the principal building. Cities and villages set their own shed rules.
Building or placing a shed without required zoning approval, or exceeding footprint/number limits, can trigger a stop-work or removal order and daily zoning forfeitures enforced by Parks and Land Use.
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