Building Setbacks & Zoning in De Pere, WI (2026)
2 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for De Pere, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
De Pere's zoning ordinance normally sets minimum front, rear and interior side setbacks by residential district, but Section 14-21(8) overrides those baseline figures whenever a neighborhood is already built up. Once at least half of the residential principal buildings within 300 feet of a lot exist, new construction must match the block's average setback instead of the district minimum.
De Pere Yard Setback Averaging Rule
Some RestrictionsDe Pere Zoning Ordinance, Art. II, § 14-21(8)
(8) Average Setback When at least 50% of the neighborhood, as defined as all residential principal buildings within 300 feet of the subject parcel, is built up with residential principal buildings, the front setback, rear setback, and interior side setback requirements for new buildings shall be equal to the average of the existing buildings, except that any existing principal building set back...
Lot Coverage Limits
On any De Pere lot with a backyard cottage, Zoning Ordinance Section 14-27(4)(k) caps the combined ground-floor footprint of every accessory building, including the cottage, at 850 square feet. Extra cottage floor area on a second story or in a basement doesn't count against that cap.
De Pere Accessory Building Lot Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsDe Pere Zoning Ordinance, Art. II, § 14-27(4)(k)
(k) Maximum Lot Coverage The total cumulative lot area occupied by all accessory buildings, including the backyard cottage, may not exceed 850 square feet unless the additional square footage for the subject backyard cottage is on a second floor or basement level.
Looking for Brown County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement De Pere city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Brown County →