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Accessory Structures in Appleton, WI (2026)

3 verified accessory structures rules for Appleton, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

ADU Rules

Appleton allows one attached or detached accessory dwelling unit plus one junior ADU per lot in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2, and R-3 districts, capped at the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, with no separate tax parcel allowed.

Appleton Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules

Some Restrictions

Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 23-55(c), (e)(1), (f)(4)

(c) Permitted zoning districts. Accessory dwelling units may be permitted in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2 and R-3 Districts in conjunction with an existing built or proposed to be built single-family detached dwelling or two-family-zero lot line dwelling... (1) Lots with an existing built or proposed to be built single-family detached dwelling or two-family-zero lot line dwelling are permitted to ...

Shed & Carport Rules

Appleton caps a detached shed, garage or gazebo on an R-1A, R-1B, R-1C or R-2 lot at 1,600 combined square feet, 15 feet in height and one story, under Sec. 23-43(g)(1). Detached buildings need a 3-foot rear setback (5 feet off an improved alley) and count toward the district's lot-coverage cap.

Appleton Shed and Accessory Building Rules

Some Restrictions

Appleton Municipal Code § 23-43(g)(1)

When not attached to the principal building, accessory buildings and/or structures, except for parking lots and driveways shall maintain a minimum setback of three (3) feet from the rear lot line, except along an improved public alley where a minimum of a five (5) foot setback is required... accessory structures, except for radio, television and satellite dish antennas, shall not exceed twenty ...

Garage Conversions

Converting a detached garage into living space is allowed under Appleton Municipal Code Sec. 23-55(f)(3) as an accessory dwelling unit conversion in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, R-2 and R-3 districts, provided the lot already has, or is building, a single-family or two-family-zero-lot-line home and every design, size and permit standard in Sec. 23-55 is met.

Appleton Garage Conversion Rules

Some Restrictions

Appleton Municipal Code § 23-55(f)(3), (l)(1)

(3) Detached accessory building conversion. Adding on vertically or horizontally to or converting all or a portion of an existing detached accessory building for the purpose of creating a detached or an attached accessory dwelling unit may be permitted, provided all of the provisions of this section are all complied with. ... (l) Building permit application process. Application, review, and app...

Looking for Outagamie County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Appleton city rules.

Accessory Structures in Outagamie County