Environmental Rules in Sauk County, WI (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Sauk County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Chapter 51 of the Sauk County Code requires a Land Resources and Environment Department permit before any land-disturbing activity of one acre or more, or any project adding 20,000 square feet of impervious surface, moves dirt in unincorporated Sauk County. Stormwater facilities must hold post-development peak runoff at or below pre-development rates for the one-, two-, ten- and 100-year, 24-hour storms.
Sauk County Stormwater Management Ordinance
Some RestrictionsSauk County Code §§ 51.01, 51.03, 51.17(2)(b)
(1)This ordinance is enacted pursuant to the authority granted by Wisconsin Statutes, including, but not limited to, Wis. Stats. §§ 59.693, and 281.33(3m). This ordinance supersedes all provisions of any ordinance previously enacted by Sauk County that relate to construction site erosion control and stormwater management. ... ... Sec. 51.03. - Jurisdiction.(1)The provisions of this ordinance wi...
Erosion Control
Any land disturbance of 4,000 square feet or 400 cubic yards in unincorporated Sauk County needs a Land Resources and Environment Department land use permit under County Code § 51.09, and the erosion control plan approved under § 51.12 must hold soil loss on exposed ground to less than five tons per acre a year until the site is stabilized.
Sauk County Erosion & Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsSauk County Code §§ 51.09, 51.12, 51.23
The requirements and provisions of this subchapter will apply to any of the following land disturbing activities and shall require the issuance of a land use permit unless otherwise exempted in section 51.10:(1)Grading, removal of protective ground cover or vegetation, excavation, land filling or other land disturbing activity which affects an area of 4,000 square feet or more. ... The proposed...
Flood Zones
Sauk County's Chapter 9 floodplain zoning ordinance regulates development within flood hazard zones A, AO, AH, A1-30 and AE shown on FEMA flood insurance rate maps. The Land Resources and Environment Department administers four floodplain districts and requires a land use permit before any construction, filling or use change in a mapped floodplain in unincorporated Sauk County.
Sauk County Floodplain Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSauk County Code § 9.002
This ordinance regulates all areas of special flood hazard identified as zones A, AO, AH, A1-30, or AE on the flood insurance rate map. ... (a)The Floodway District (FW), is the channel of a river or stream and those portions of the floodplain adjoining the channel required to carry the regional floodwaters, within AE zones as shown on the FIRM, or within A zones shown on the FIRM when determin...
Boat Dock Permits
Sauk County generally requires a land use permit before a structure goes into a shoreland under Section 8.005(2), but Section 8.006(4)(b)5 exempts the construction and maintenance of piers and docks built on pilings, including limited excavating and filling for that work, from the land use permit in the shoreland-wetland district.
Sauk County boat dock permit exemption
Light RestrictionsSauk County Code §§ 8.005(2), 8.006(4)(b)5
Buildings and other structures shall require a land use permit unless otherwise expressly excluded by a provision of this ordinance. ... (b)Uses which do not require the issuance of a land use permit and which may include limited filling, flooding, draining, dredging, ditching, tiling, or excavating but only to the extent specifically provided below: ... 5.The construction or maintenance of pie...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Sauk County requires new residential construction and substantial improvements in the flood fringe to elevate the lowest floor to or above the flood protection elevation, defined as two feet of freeboard above the regional flood elevation. Fill around the structure must extend one foot above the RFE for at least 15 feet beyond the structure.
Sauk County Flood Protection Elevation Freeboard
Some RestrictionsSauk County Code § 9.005; § 9.014(3)(a)1
Flood protection elevation means an elevation of two feet of freeboard above the Regional Flood Elevation (RFE). See also freeboard. ... 1.All new construction, including placement of manufactured homes, and substantial improvement of residential structures, shall have the lowest floor elevated to or above the flood protection elevation on fill. The fill around the structure shall be one foot o...
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