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Building Setbacks & Zoning

West Allis's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In West Allis, Wisconsin, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Setback Rules

West Allis sets minimum yard setbacks by zoning district, RA-1 requires 30 feet front, 25 feet rear, and 8 feet side, under the § 19.41 Building Size and Location table.

Key details: RA-1 front setback: 30 feet minimum. RA-1 rear setback: 25 feet minimum. RA-1 side setback: 8 feet minimum. RA-3 side setback: 3 feet minimum.

Building inside the required yard without approval violates § 19.41 and § 19.12, carrying a $25 to $500 forfeiture per offense, plus injunction, abatement, or removal action by the City.

Lot Coverage Limits

The West Allis zoning code caps building lot coverage at 40% in the RA-1 and RA-2 districts, 50% in RA-3, and 60% in RB, with no listed cap for commercial or industrial districts.

Key details: RA-1 / RA-2 max: 40% lot coverage. RA-3 max: 50% lot coverage. RB max: 60% lot coverage. Commercial/industrial: no cap listed. Governing section: RMC § 19.41.

Violating any Chapter 19 zoning provision, including the lot coverage table, carries a forfeiture of $25 to $500 per offense plus prosecution costs; each day a violation continues is a separate offense under § 19.12.

Structure Height Limits

West Allis caps building height at 35 feet in the RA-1 through RA-3 single- and two-family districts, 40 feet in RB, and up to 105 feet in the C-4 commercial district, per § 19.41.

Key details: RA-1/RA-2/RA-3 height cap: 35 feet. RB height cap: 40 feet. RC height cap: 85 feet. C-4 height cap: 105 feet.

Exceeding the district height maximum without approval violates § 19.41 and triggers a § 19.12 forfeiture of $25 to $500 per offense, plus possible injunction to remove the noncompliant structure.

The Bottom Line

West Allis's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming West Allis is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from West Allis's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.