De Pere, WI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Under Section 14-21(8) of the zoning ordinance, De Pere replaces its baseline setback figures with a neighborhood average whenever an area is already substantially developed. The rule applies once at least 50 percent of the neighborhood, which the ordinance defines as every residential principal building within 300 feet of the subject parcel, is built up with residential principal buildings. Once that threshold is met, the front setback, the rear setback, and the interior side setback for any new building on that parcel must equal the average of the setbacks already established by the existing buildings, rather than the numeric minimums otherwise set for the applicable residential district.

The ordinance builds in one adjustment: any existing principal building set back 30 percent more or less than the computed average can be discounted from the calculation, so a single unusually deep or shallow lot does not skew the neighborhood figure. The averaging rule reaches only front, rear, and interior side setbacks for principal residential buildings sited under Article II; it does not extend to accessory structures, which the ordinance addresses separately under Section 14-78. The development services director, who administers Chapter 14 under Section 14-150, reviews the surrounding lots when a builder invokes the averaging provision and works out the qualifying radius and resulting figure as part of building permit review.

Because the outcome depends on a case-by-case survey of neighboring lots rather than a printed table number, an applicant should get the director's determination before finalizing plans, since the district's standard setback minimums otherwise control by default.