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

Fences in the City of Neenah are regulated by the city Building Code under the authority delegated to Wisconsin cities by Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23. The Community Development Department's Fences and Similar Structures handout (211 Walnut Street, Neenah, WI 54956) sets the operative dimensional standards: fences in side or rear yards may not exceed 6 feet, fences in the actual front yard or actual shore yard may not exceed 3 feet, and chain link fences open to vision 75% or more in the front yard may be increased to 4 feet. Side yard boundary fences up to 6 feet may extend forward up to but not further than the actual front or actual shore yard setback. A building permit and site plan are required from the Building Inspector before a fence is built, enlarged, or altered.

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.

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

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

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

Accessory dwelling units in Neenah are governed by the city Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances, adopted under the city zoning authority granted by Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23. The city's zoning regulations control the residential districts in which a second dwelling unit (attached or detached, including two-family conversions) may be permitted, along with use, density, lot, setback, height, parking, and accessory-building standards. Property owners must verify the zoning district of their parcel and confirm that the proposed unit is a permitted or conditional use under Chapter 26 before applying. Building permits are issued through the City of Neenah Inspection Division (Department of Community Development).

Neenah's published Garages and Storage Sheds handout from the Community Development Department limits each property to one (1) storage shed of no more than 200 gross square feet, with a maximum wall height of 10 feet on two elevations and a maximum overall height of 15 feet. A shed located more than 5 feet from the principal dwelling needs only a 3-foot side and rear yard setback (or 6 feet if placed in the actual side yard), but a shed within 5 feet of the dwelling must meet the dwelling's full setbacks: 30-foot rear, 6-foot side, 16-foot aggregate side, and 25-foot front.

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