Environmental Rules in Walworth County, WI (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Walworth County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Walworth County's Storm Water Management Ordinance, Chapter 26 Article I, requires a permit from the Land Conservation Division before most land-disturbing or land-development activity in the unincorporated county, covering everything from new subdivisions to sites adding a half-acre of impervious surface. Starting work before the permit issues doubles the application fee.
Walworth County Stormwater Management Permit
Some RestrictionsWalworth County Code § 26-12
(a)Storm water permit required. No landowner or responsible party can commence a land disturbing or land development activity subject to this ordinance without receiving a storm water management permit from the Walworth County Land Conservation Division. ... (2)A double permit fee shall be charged by the Walworth County Land Conservation Division if land disturbing or construction activities ar...
Erosion Control
Walworth County requires a construction site erosion and sediment control permit before most land-disturbing construction in the unincorporated county under Code Chapter 26, Article II, triggered once grading, clearing or excavation reaches 4,000 square feet or comes within 1,000 feet of a lake. The Land Conservation Division reviews the plan and can shut a site down for noncompliance.
Walworth County Construction Erosion Control Permit
Some RestrictionsWalworth County Code § 26-35(b)
(b)Applicability. ... Unless otherwise exempted under subsection (c), this ordinance shall apply to the following activities: ... (2)Those involving grading, removal of protective ground cover or vegetation, excavations, land filling, demolition, or other land disturbing construction activities affecting a surface area of 4,000 square feet.(3)Those involving excavation or filling or a combinati...
Flood Zones
Walworth County's Floodplain Overlay District under Code § 74-173 covers every zone A, AO, AH, A1-30, and AE area on the Flood Insurance Rate Map and bans a long list of uses outright, from new sewage systems to mobile home parks, unless permitted or conditionally approved.
Floodplain Development Rules in Walworth County
Significant RestrictionsWalworth County Code § 74-173(a), (h)
Sec. 74-173. - Floodplain overlay regulations. (a)Areas to be regulated. 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. ... Unless specifically exempted by law, all cities, villages, towns, and counties are required to comply with this ordinance and obtain all necessary permits. ... (h)Prohibited uses. The ...
Boat Dock Permits
Within shoreland areas of unincorporated Walworth County, only boathouses, boat hoists, and piers are permitted inside the shore yard setback under County Code § 74-38(2). A boathouse on slopes of 12 percent or less caps at 400 square feet with a 4:12 roof pitch; only one boathouse is allowed per lot, and it can never be used as a residence.
Boathouse and Pier Rules in Walworth County
Some RestrictionsWalworth County Code §§ 74-38(2), 74-174(B)(3)(a)
Only boathouses, boat hoists, and piers shall be permitted in the shoreyard. ... A boathouse located on slopes of 12 percent or less is permitted to be located within the shore yard setback requirement, shall not extend below the ordinary high water mark, shall be located so as to minimize earth disturbing activities and shoreland vegetation removal, shall be located within the viewing and acce...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Walworth County requires two feet of freeboard above the regional flood elevation for structures in floodplain districts, and any habitable structure in a flood storage district must sit on fill with its lowest floor at or above that flood protection elevation.
Flood Protection Elevation in Walworth County
Some RestrictionsWalworth County Code §§ 74-131, 74-173(j)(7)
Sec. 74-131. - Definitions. ... Flood protection elevation: An elevation two feet of freeboard above the water surface profile elevation designated for the regional flood. This safety factor, also called a "free-board", is intended to compensate for the many unknown factors that contribute to flood heights greater than those computed. S ... ec. ... 74-173. - Floodplain overlay regulations. ( .....
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