Environmental Rules in Dane County, WI (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Dane County requires a stormwater management permit before land-disturbing development that adds 20,000 square feet or more of impervious surface, or disturbs over 4,000 square feet on commercial, industrial, institutional or multifamily sites. The Land and Water Resources Department administers the program under Chapter 14.
Dane County Stormwater Management Permits
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 14.07(1), 14.19(1)
14.07 APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENT FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PERMITS. Unless otherwise exempted by sec. 14.08, a stormwater management permit under sec. 14.10 shall be required and all stormwater management provisions of this chapter shall apply to any of the following activities within Dane County: (1) Any development(s) after August 22, 2001 that result(s) in the cumulative addition of 20,000...
Erosion Control
Development in Dane County that adds 20,000 square feet of impervious surface since August 22, 2001, or that requires a plat or certified survey map, needs a stormwater management permit under Chapter 14 before grading starts. Land disturbance over 4,000 square feet on commercial, industrial, or multifamily sites also triggers the requirement.
Dane County Stormwater Management Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances § 14.07
14.07 APPLICABILITY OF REQUIREMENT FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PERMITS. Unless otherwise exempted by sec. 14.08, a stormwater management permit under sec. 14.10 shall be required and all stormwater management provisions of this chapter shall apply to any of the following activities within Dane County: (1) Any development(s) after August 22, 2001 that result(s) in the cumulative addition of 20,000...
Flood Zones
Dane County regulates every Zone A, AO, AH, A1-30 and AE area on the Flood Insurance Rate Map under Chapter 17 of its Code of Ordinances, adopted under Wis. Stat. §§ 59.69, 59.692, 59.694 and 87.30. Before any construction, addition or change of use begins in a mapped floodplain, the zoning administrator must confirm the site can be built on safely and that a land use permit has been issued.
Dane County Floodplain Zoning Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 17.07(1)
17.07 GENERAL STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ALL FLOODPLAIN DISTRICTS. The zoning administrator shall review all permit applications to determine whether proposed building sites will be reasonably safe from flooding and assure that all necessary permits have been received from those governmental agencies whose approval is required by federal or state law. If a proposed building site is in a flood-pron...
Boat Dock Permits
Dane County bars boats from tying up at county-owned piers on navigable waters without authorization, and bars docking at any privately owned pier, mooring buoy or raft without the owner's or lessee's permission. Violators forfeit $10 to $200 per offense under Chapter 71.
Dane County Boat Docking Rules at Piers
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 71.51-71.52
71.51 DOCKING BOATS AT COUNTY PIERS. (1) It shall be unlawful and a violation of this ordinance for any person to dock his or her boat at any county-owned pier located on the navigable waters of Dane County. County-owned piers shall be identified with signs indicating the applicability of this section. (2) Sub. (1) shall not apply to boats operated by on-duty employees of the County of Dane. (3...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Diesel-powered commercial motor vehicles in unincorporated Dane County cannot idle more than five minutes in any sixty-minute period under ch. 34.26. The rule targets diesel trucks specifically, exempts emergency vehicles and extreme temperatures, and carries a flat $50 forfeiture per violation.
Dane County Diesel Truck Idling Time Limit
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 34.26(1)-(3), (5)
34.26 DIESEL POWERED MOTOR VEHICLE IDLING. (1) Purpose and authority. ... (2) Applicability. This ordinance shall apply in the unincorporated areas of Dane County to the operation of diesel powered commercial motor vehicles as defined by s. 340.01(8), Wis. Stats. (3) Excessive idling prohibited. No person responsible for the operation of a diesel powered commercial vehicle shall allow or cause ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Dane County's floodplain zoning ordinance requires two feet of freeboard above the regional flood elevation before a structure counts as flood-protected, and new or substantially improved residential structures built in the floodfringe must have their lowest floor at or above that flood protection elevation or meet certified floodproofing standards instead.
Dane County Flood Protection Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsDane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 17.06(33), 17.09(3)(a)1
(33) FLOOD PROTECTION ELEVATION - An elevation of two feet of freeboard above the Regional Flood Elevation. (Also see: FREEBOARD.) ... (a) RESIDENTIAL USES. Any structure, including a manufactured home, which is to be newly constructed or moved into the floodfringe, shall meet or exceed the following standards; 1. All new construction, including placement of manufactured homes, and substantial ...
Environmental Rules by City in Dane County
4 cities in Dane County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Boat Dock Permits, Erosion Control
4 verified rules • Erosion Control, Flood Elevation Requirements
3 verified rules • Erosion Control, Flood Elevation Requirements
3 verified rules • Erosion Control, Flood Elevation Requirements
All Dane County ordinances
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