Environmental Rules in Waukesha County, WI (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Waukesha County requires a Storm Water Permit before any land-disturbing project on unincorporated land clears 3,000 square feet, moves more than 400 cubic yards of material, or adds half an acre or more of new impervious surface. The Land Resources Division administers the program, and any town can opt out by adopting its own ordinance that is at least as strict.
Stormwater Permit Rules in Waukesha County, WI
Some RestrictionsWaukesha County Code §§ 14-331(a), 14-333(a)
(a) Jurisdictional Boundaries. This ordinance applies to all unincorporated lands within the jurisdictional boundaries of Waukesha County, unless a town board: 1. Adopts an ordinance that complies with the minimum standards established by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and is at least as restrictive as this ordinance, as determined by the LRD; and 2. Provides reasonable notice to...
Erosion Control
Waukesha County Code Sec. 14-333 requires a stormwater permit before any land-disturbing project in the unincorporated towns that disturbs 3,000 square feet or moves more than 400 cubic yards of soil, and Sec. 14-340 caps the sediment an erosion control plan may let escape at 5 tons per acre per year.
Construction Erosion Control Permits in Waukesha County
Significant RestrictionsWaukesha County Code §§ 14-333(a), 14-340(a)2
(a) Construction Site Erosion Control. Unless otherwise exempted under sub. (c) below, a stormwater permit under sec. 14-334 shall be required and all erosion control and other provisions of this ordinance shall apply to all proposed land disturbing activity that meets any of the following: 1. Disturbs a total land surface area of 3,000 square feet or more; or 2. Involves excavation or filling,...
Flood Zones
Wisconsin Statute 87.30 requires every county and municipality with FEMA-mapped floodplain to adopt a floodplain zoning ordinance meeting Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 116 and 44 CFR 59-72 (NFIP). Waukesha County administers the Floodland Protection Ordinance (EO-17838) for unincorporated areas, regulating the Fox River, Bark River, Pewaukee River, Oconomowoc River, and other mapped waterways. Wisconsin requires the lowest floor at least 2 feet above the regional flood elevation - stricter than the FEMA NFIP minimum.
Flood Zone Rules in Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Heavy RestrictionsWis. Stat. § 87.30
87.30 87.30 Floodplain zoning. 87.30(1) (1) State powers. 87.30(1)(a) (a) If any county, city or village does not adopt a reasonable and effective floodplain zoning ordinance within one year after hydraulic and engineering data adequate to formulate the ordinance becomes available, the department shall, upon petition of an interested state agency or a municipality or upon its own motion as soon...
Boat Dock Permits
In unincorporated Waukesha County towns where the Shoreland Protection Ordinance applies, marinas and boat liveries cannot extend piers past the pierhead line, and total pier length (including T's and L's) is capped at the property's lake frontage or 150 feet from shore, whichever is less.
Marina & Boat Dock Length Limits in Waukesha County
Some RestrictionsWaukesha County Shoreland Protection Ordinance § 4(g)17.H
H. No pier may be permitted to extend beyond the pierhead line if established. The total length of all piers, and T's or L's extending from the pier may not exceed the total length of the lake frontage of the property, except in the DOD Downtown Okauchee District, and in no case shall piers, T's or L's extend greater than one hundred fifty (150) feet from shore.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Waukesha County's floodfringe areas, new and substantially improved residential structures must have the lowest floor built two feet above the regional flood elevation on fill, not just at flood level. That two-foot cushion is the county's freeboard requirement, defined in the Floodplain Zoning Ordinance.
Freeboard: 2 Ft Above Flood Elevation
Some RestrictionsWaukesha County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance § 4.3(1)(a)
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 or more above the regional flood elevation extending at least 15 feet beyond the limits of the structure.
Environmental Rules by City in Waukesha County
1 cities in Waukesha County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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