Moving to De Pere, WI? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

De Pere, Wisconsin may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 26 tracked ordinances across 11 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: De Pere enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. The Fox River downtown area has entertainment venues that follow sound level limits.

Also covered: Barking Dogs (moderate), Amplified Music & Events (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for De Pere for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: De Pere allows home occupations as accessory use in residential zones. Home occupation permit required.

Landscaping Rules

Weed Ordinances: De Pere enforces weed abatement under WI Stat. §66.0407.

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for De Pere for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: De Pere short-term rental operators must comply with Chapter 146 (Noise Ordinance), which sets daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Also covered: Taxes & Fees (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for De Pere for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Wisconsin bans all aerial and explosive consumer fireworks. Only non-explosive types legal (sparklers, snakes, smoke devices).

Also covered: Outdoor Burning (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for De Pere for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: The City of De Pere participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development in conformance with Wis. Stat.

Parking Rules

Driveway Rules: De Pere requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited.

Also covered: Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for De Pere for details.

Animal Ordinances

Breed Restrictions: Wisconsin does not preempt local breed-specific legislation. Some WI cities have breed bans.

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Beekeeping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for De Pere for details.

Fence Regulations

Height Limits: De Pere Municipal Code section 54-7 caps residential fences at 3 feet in front yards and corner side yards within the building setback, 4 feet for see-through styles on non-corner lots, and 6 feet on side and rear boundary lines. Commercial and industrial fences may reach 8 feet, and a building permit from the Building Inspector is required before installation..

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for De Pere for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: De Pere regulates accessory dwellings under Chapter 14 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Municipal Code, which was comprehensively rewritten in 2022 and became effective January 1, 2023. Under the rewritten ordinance, backyard cottages and secondary suites are permitted uses in residential districts.

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for De Pere for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: De Pere requires pool barriers to prevent unsupervised child access. Minimum 48-inch height.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for De Pere for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in De Pere. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.