Before You Build in Middleton, WI: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

City of Middleton Zoning Ordinance Sec. 10.06.40 limits residential fences to 6 feet in height (including posts) in side and rear yards. In the front or street yard, fences are capped at 3 feet in height with a maximum of 50% opacity. For corner properties on lakeshore lots, fences between the lakeshore and the rear or side yard facing the lake are limited to 3 feet. All fences must meet the visibility (vision triangle) standards in Sec. 10.06.05. A Shed/Fence Zoning Permit under Sec. 10.10.41 is required before construction; the one- and two-family fee is $80 ($50 zoning + $30 building).

WI Stat. §90.02 to 90.14 provides line fence cost-sharing for rural/agricultural land. Urban residential fences: each owner responsible for their own.

Middleton requires pool barriers to prevent unsupervised child access. Minimum 48-inch height. Self-closing, self-latching gates. WI Stat. §145.17.

Middleton requires building permits for pools, spas, and hot tubs. WI Uniform Dwelling Code governs. Inspections required.

Middleton enforces pool safety requirements including anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act), barriers, and depth markers. WI Stat. §145.17 governs.

The City of Middleton allows accessory dwelling units under Chapter 10 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Middleton Municipal Code, adopted under city zoning authority granted by Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23. ADUs are permitted accessory to single-family dwellings on residential lots. The unit is capped at the smaller of 900 square feet or 50% of the primary home's floor area. Owner-occupancy of the property is required (the principal dwelling or the ADU itself), though the ADU may be rented. Two-story ADUs are not allowed and the maximum height is 22 feet. A conditional use permit is not required, but a zoning permit and building permit must be issued by the City of Middleton before construction.

The City of Middleton requires a Shed/Fence Zoning Permit under Sec. 10.10.41 of the 2024 Zoning Ordinance before any shed is erected or altered. Residential storage sheds must sit at least 3 feet from any property line, may be no taller than 15 feet (or 22 feet only if the shed meets the principal building's setbacks), require plan review for any shed over 70 square feet, and must use construction methods matching the principal dwelling. Sheds located 10 feet or less from the dwelling unit must have 3/4-hour fire protection. Permit fees for one- and two-family lots total $80 ($50 zoning + $30 building).

Outdoor burning regulated by WI DNR and local ordinance. Middleton may prohibit most open burning. Garbage burning always illegal. DNR permits required in protection areas.