Winnebago County, WI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback source
- Exhibit 8-2, by zoning district
- Street-yard averaging floor
- 15 ft residential, 10 ft commercial
- Applies in
- Towns that adopted county zoning
- Doesn't apply in
- Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, Appleton
- Overlay risk
- Shoreland/floodplain rules can be stricter
Summary
Winnebago County sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by zoning district in Chapter 23's Exhibit 8-2, and lets a street yard setback shrink toward neighboring buildings, but never below 15 feet residential or 10 feet commercial.
(a) Generally. Except as modified herein, the placement of a structure on a lot shall comply with the setback standards specified in Exhibit 8-2. ... (d) Setback averaging for street yard setbacks. The street yard setback as specified in Exhibit 8-2 may be decreased in a residential, mixed-use, or commercial zoning districts to the average of the existing street yards of the abutting principal or accessory buildings on each side but in no case shall the setback be less than 15 feet in a residential zoning district or 10 feet in a commercial or mixed-use zoning district.
Full Breakdown
Every structure on a lot in a town that adopted Winnebago County's zoning ordinance must meet the street, side, and rear yard minimums set for its district in Exhibit 8-2 of Chapter 23, under § 23.8-65(a). A street yard setback can shrink to the average of the existing setbacks on both sides, but never below 15 feet in a residential district or 10 feet in a commercial or mixed-use district, under § 23.8-65(d). Fences, driveways, and other listed features may encroach into a setback under § 23.8-65(b). The chapter binds only towns that opted into county zoning under Wis. Stat. § 59.69, not Oshkosh, Neenah, Menasha, or Appleton.
Violations & Fines
Placing a structure inside a required setback draws a $300 citation plus court costs per day under § 23.14-9, along with a possible order to relocate or remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reduce my street-yard setback to match my neighbors in Winnebago County?
Do Chapter 23 setbacks apply to my whole property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Winnebago County
Compare Winnebago County to another location·View the Wisconsin building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.