Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Height cap
35 ft above grade, primary buildings
Applies to
All Rothschild residential districts, R-1 to R-R
Accessory buildings
Separate limits under § 590-96.1
Lot coverage
50% max, same subsection
Penalty
$100 to $1,000 forfeiture, § 590-181

Summary

Primary buildings in Rothschild's residential zoning districts cannot exceed 35 feet in above-grade height once erected or structurally altered. The same 35-foot cap repeats word for word in the bulk-limitations subsection of every residential district, so it functions as the Village's standard house height ceiling regardless of which residential zone a lot sits in.

§ 590-16. R-1 Single-Family Residential District. ... E. R-1 bulk limitations. (1) Height. Primary buildings hereafter erected or structurally altered shall not exceed an above-grade height of 35 feet in height.

Full Breakdown

Village Code § 590-16E(1) sets the height limit for the R-1 Single-Family Residential District: primary buildings hereafter erected or structurally altered cannot exceed an above-grade height of 35 feet. The Village repeats the identical 35-foot, above-grade standard in the bulk-limitations subsection of every other residential zoning district established under § 590-12, including the R-2, R-3, and R-4 Single-Family Residential Districts, the R-5 Two-Family Residential District, the R-6 Multi-Residential District, and the R-R Rural Residential District, so a homeowner anywhere in Rothschild's residential zoning faces the same ceiling on a new house or a structural addition that adds height.

1, which the R-1 district section cross-references rather than repeating. Height is measured above grade, meaning from ground level at the building, and a structural alteration, not just new construction, triggers the limit if it changes the building's height. The R-1 section also caps lot coverage at 50% of the lot area for any combination of the principal building, accessory uses, and off-street parking, in the same Subsection E, so height and coverage are regulated together as the district's bulk limitations.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the 35-foot residential height cap is a zoning violation enforced under § 590-181: a forfeiture of $100 to $1,000 plus applicable costs, assessments, surcharges and fees, with each day the violation continues treated as a separate offense. The Code declares every zoning violation a public nuisance, so the Village can also go to court for an injunction ordering a noncompliant structure altered or removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall can I build my house in Rothschild?
No taller than 35 feet above grade. Village Code § 590-16E(1) sets that cap for the R-1 Single-Family Residential District, and the identical 35-foot limit repeats in every other residential zoning district's bulk-limitations subsection, so the answer is the same no matter which residential zone the lot sits in.
Does the 35-foot limit apply to my garage or shed?
No. The 35-foot cap in § 590-16E(1) applies to primary buildings. Accessory structures like garages and sheds are governed by a separate height standard under § 590-96.1, which the district sections cross-reference instead of repeating the accessory rule in each one.
What happens if I build over the height limit?
It is a zoning violation under § 590-181, carrying a forfeiture of $100 to $1,000 plus costs, assessments, surcharges and fees, with each day of the violation counted separately. The Village can also seek a court injunction, since every zoning violation is declared a public nuisance under the same section.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rothschild

All Rothschild rules

Compare Rothschild to another location·View the Wisconsin building setbacks & zoning overview

Get notified when Structure Height Limits in Rothschild, WI changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Marathon County handle structure height limits.

Wausau, WI
Some Restrictions