Building Safety in Brown County, WI (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Brown County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Building Permits
Brown County requires a special shoreland permit for decks, patios, gazebos and screen houses built inside the 75-foot shoreland setback, capping their combined floor area at 200 square feet and requiring a 35-foot buffer from the water.
Deck and Patio Shoreland Permit, Brown County
Significant RestrictionsBrown County Code § 22.27(2)(b)
(b) Shoreland Permit - Special. Open sided, no side, and screened structures such as gazebos, decks, patios and screen houses in the shoreland setback area that satisfy the requirements in s. 59.692(1v), Wis. Stats. 1. The part of the structure that is nearest to the water is located at least 35 feet landward from the ordinary-high water mark. 2. The total floor area of all the structures in th...
Building Inspections
In unincorporated Brown County, no private on-site wastewater treatment system (POWTS) may be backfilled until the county inspects it. The installing plumber must give at least 24 hours' notice, and the county has staged inspection points through completion.
Brown County Septic Inspection Before Backfill
Some RestrictionsBrown County Code § 11.10
11.10 INSPECTION. (1) The issuing agent shall inspect or cause the inspection of all POWTS after construction, but before backfilling, no later than the end of the next work day, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after receiving notice from the plumber in charge. (2) The issuing agent shall file reports and inspections as required by the county or the department. ...
Building Safety by City in Brown County
3 cities in Brown County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Brown County ordinances
See every category we cover for Brown County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Brown County Ordinance Hub →