Fond du Lac County, WI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Shoreline building setback
- 75 feet from OHWM
- Reduced setback floor
- 35 feet from OHWM
- Interior lot-line setback
- 10 feet minimum
- Small accessory exception
- 120 sq ft or less exempt from 10-ft rule
- State/federal highway setback
- 110 ft from centerline or 50 ft from ROW
- Penalty range
- $50-$500 per offense per day
Summary
Within shoreland areas of unincorporated Fond du Lac County, buildings and structures must sit at least 75 feet back from the ordinary high-water mark of navigable water under Code Sec. 44-203, and lot-line setbacks run at least ten feet under Sec. 44-201, except for small accessory buildings.
(NR115.05(1)(b)1.) Unless exempt under subsection (b), or reduced under section 44-204, a setback of 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable waters to the nearest part of a building or structure shall be required for all buildings and structures. ... The setback from one lot line shall be no closer than ten feet except in the case of an accessory structure of 120 square feet or less.
Full Breakdown
Fond du Lac County Code Sec. 44-203(a) sets the core shoreland setback: unless a structure is exempt or the setback is reduced under Sec. 44-204, every building and structure needs a setback of 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable water, measured to the nearest part of the building. Exempt structures under Sec. 44-203(b) include boathouses located entirely above the ordinary high-water mark, small open-sided structures like gazebos and decks meeting the 200-square-foot cap in Sec. 44-203(b)(2), satellite dishes one meter or less in diameter, certain utility structures, and pedestrian walkways up to 60 inches wide.
A reduced principal-structure setback is available under Sec. 44-204: where existing principal structures sit on both sides within 250 feet, the new setback can average the neighbors' setbacks, but it cannot drop below 35 feet from the ordinary high-water mark. Separately, Sec. 44-201 sets the interior lot-line setback: the minimum aggregate width for both lot lines together is 20 feet, and the setback from any one lot line cannot be closer than ten feet, except for an accessory structure of 120 square feet or less.
Highway setbacks are set independently under Sec. 44-202: 110 feet from the centerline of a state or federal highway, or 50 feet from the right-of-way, whichever is greater, and 75 feet from the centerline of a county trunk highway. These figures govern only shoreland areas of unincorporated Fond du Lac County; general setbacks outside shoreland areas are set by the individual town's own zoning ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required setback without a permit or variance is a violation of Chapter 44, enforced under Sec. 42-431 (Article XVI). The zoning administrator refers violations to the corporation counsel for prosecution, and a violator faces a forfeiture of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 per offense, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense, plus taxable costs of the action; every violation is also declared a public nuisance that may be enjoined or abated under Wis. Stats. § 59.69(11).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from the water must a building be in unincorporated Fond du Lac County?
Can the shoreline setback ever be reduced?
What is the minimum side lot-line setback?
Does this setback apply to the whole county?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fond du Lac County
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