Grant County, WI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

The height rule sits in Article X of Chapter 316, Shoreland Zoning, in Grant County Code § 316-41. Its stated purpose is to protect and preserve wildlife habitat and natural scenic beauty. On or after February 1, 2010, the county may not permit any construction that results in a structure taller than 35 feet within 75 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable waters. The rule is written for any structure, so a house, garage, boathouse or shed is treated alike.

Where it applies: § 316-5 defines the regulated shorelands as the lands in the unincorporated areas of Grant County within 1,000 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of navigable lakes, ponds or flowages, and within 300 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of navigable rivers or streams, or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater. Platteville, Lancaster, Boscobel, Fennimore, Cuba City and the other cities and villages have their own codes and are not governed by this chapter.

How height is measured: § 316-42 defines structure height as the vertical line segment starting at the lowest point of any exposed wall and its intersect with the ground to a line horizontal to the highest point of the structure, unless specified under other sections of the code. The code prints a diagram with Point A at the ground and Point B at the highest point. Because the measurement starts at the lowest exposed wall, a walkout basement on a sloping bluff lot counts toward the total.

Existing buildings: a structure lawfully placed that does not meet the shoreland setback can be vertically expanded under § 316-44 unless the expansion would extend more than 35 feet above grade level. Section 316-48 repeats the 35 foot ceiling for structures authorized by a variance granted before July 15, 2015. Under § 316-49, an illegally built structure gets no vertical or lateral expansion at all.

Permits: § 316-53 requires a permit from the Zoning Administrator or Board of Adjustment/Committee before any new development, and § 316-52 directs the Zoning Administrator to inspect permitted work in progress to confirm the finished structure conforms to the chapter.