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

The City of Racine regulates fences through Chapter 114 (Zoning) of the Municipal Code, adopted under Wis. Stat. § 62.23. Fence standards (including height, setback, and vision-corner rules) are administered through Article VII (Supplementary District Regulations) together with the dimensional standards of the underlying zoning district in Article V. A fence permit is required from the City of Racine Building Inspection Division (730 Washington Avenue, Room 102) before construction. Wisconsin partition-fence statutes (Wis. Stat. Chapter 90) apply to shared boundary fences. For exact maximum heights in your zoning district, contact Building Inspection at 262-636-9171.

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.

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

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

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

The City of Racine regulates accessory dwellings and accessory structures through Chapter 114 (Zoning) of the Municipal Code, adopted under the city zoning authority granted by Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23. Accessory uses, buildings, and structures are addressed in Article VII (Supplementary District Regulations), and the underlying residential district rules (R-districts) appear in Article V (District Regulations). Wisconsin does not have a statewide statute mandating that municipalities allow ADUs by-right, so whether a separate dwelling unit (attached or detached) is permitted on a single-family lot in Racine depends on the specific R-district provisions and may require a conditional use permit administered by the Department of City Development.

Sheds in the City of Racine are detached accessory buildings under Chapter 114 (Zoning) of the Racine Municipal Code. They must sit in the rear yard at least 60 feet behind the front lot line, with a 2-foot setback from interior side and rear lot lines and a 12-foot setback on a corner side. Detached accessory buildings are limited to 15 feet in height (or 75% of the house height, whichever is greater, capped at 20 feet) and may not occupy more than 25% of a required rear yard.

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