Green Bay, WI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- RR District cap
- 40% impervious max
- R1 District cap
- 50% impervious max
- R2 District cap
- 60% impervious max
- R3 District cap
- 70% impervious max
- Small pre-2015 lots
- up to 80% allowed
Summary
Green Bay caps impervious surface, buildings, driveways, and paved areas, between 40% and 70% of a lot, with the limit set by zoning district: 40% in RR, 50% in R1, 60% in R2, and 70% in R3.
Impervious surface, including all buildings, drives, and other paved areas, shall not cover more than 40 percent of any zoning lot located in the RR District, 50 percent of any zoning lot located in the R1, 60 percent of any zoning lot in the R2 Districts, or 70 percent of any zoning lot in the R3 District. For lots developed or created prior to December 3, 2015 which contain 7500 square feet or less in area; the impervious surface including all buildings, driveways, and other paved areas, shall not contain more than 40 percent of any zoning lot located in the RR District, 60 percent of any zoning lot located in the R1, 70 percent of any zoning lot in the R2 Districts, or 80 percent of any zoning lot in the R3 District. See the following graphic:
Impervious Surface Coverage
Impervious Surface Coverage
(Code 1984, § 13.609; Ord. No. 29-25, § 1, 12-2-2025)
Full Breakdown
Section 44-559 sets a hard cap on impervious surface, every building, driveway, and paved area on a lot, by residential district: 40 percent in the RR District, 50 percent in R1, 60 percent in R2, and 70 percent in R3. Lots of 7,500 square feet or less that were platted before December 3, 2015 get a higher allowance instead: 40, 60, 70, or 80 percent respectively. The rule applies citywide in the residential zoning districts and is measured against the full area of the zoning lot, not just the building footprint.
Violations & Fines
Site and building plans that exceed the district's impervious cap won't get zoning approval, and a lot already over the limit is nonconforming: it can't add more paved or built area without a variance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as impervious surface under Green Bay's cap?
Does a small older lot get more coverage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Green Bay
Compare Green Bay to another location·View the Wisconsin building setbacks & zoning overview
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Lot Coverage Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brown County handle lot coverage limits.