Janesville enforces pool safety requirements including anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act), barriers, and depth markers. WI Stat. §145.17 governs.
Janesville requires pool barriers to prevent unsupervised child access. Minimum 48-inch height. Self-closing, self-latching gates. WI Stat. §145.17.
Janesville requires building permits for pools, spas, and hot tubs. WI Uniform Dwelling Code governs. Inspections required.
Janesville considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Janesville enforces quiet hours as the Rock County seat (pop. 65,000). The former GM assembly plant city on the Rock River manages noise from remaining industry and growing residential areas.
Janesville regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Aircraft noise in Wisconsin is overwhelmingly governed by federal aviation law. The FAA preempts state and local noise regulation of aircraft in flight, while Wisconsin Statute Chapter 114 governs aeronautics and limits municipal authority over airspace and airport operations.
Wisconsin bans all aerial and explosive consumer fireworks. Only non-explosive types legal (sparklers, snakes, smoke devices). WI Stat. §167.10.
Outdoor burning regulated by WI DNR and local ordinance. Janesville may prohibit most open burning. Garbage burning always illegal. DNR permits required in protection areas.
Wisconsin uniformly regulates propane storage, installation, and handling under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 340, adopting NFPA 58 statewide and preempting inconsistent local rules through state building and fuel gas codes.
Wisconsin DNR designates statewide Fire Protection Areas under Wis. Stat. § 26.11 where the agency holds primary wildfire suppression authority and enforces stricter ignition rules during elevated fire danger.
Janesville regulates but cannot ban STRs under WI Act 59 (2017). DATCP tourist rooming house license may be required. WI Stat. §66.1014.
Short-term rentals in the City of Janesville are subject to the general public-peace standards in Chapter 24 (Offenses) of the Janesville Code of General Ordinances, which prohibits disturbing the peace by fighting, loud noise, or other means. Wisconsin's right-to-rent statute (Wis. Stat. 66.1014) preserves the city's authority to enforce generally applicable noise and nuisance ordinances against tourist rooming houses.
Short-term rentals in Janesville must comply with the citywide parking regulations in Chapter 38 Article XIII of the Code of General Ordinances, including limits on yard parking and the Janesville winter weather emergency rules that require vehicles off city streets when an emergency is declared. Wis. Stat. 66.1014 preserves municipal parking authority even though it caps how restrictively the city can regulate the rental itself.
Wisconsin state room tax is 5% (WI Stat. §77.98). Janesville levies additional local room tax. Platforms auto-collect in many jurisdictions. Total 10 to 14% typical.
Rock County publishes no county-wide STR occupancy cap. Maximum guests are set per-property through the Tourist Rooming House license under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72, established during the Rock County Public Health pre-inspection based on bedrooms, egress, and life-safety features.
Janesville may allow residential beekeeping with hive limits and setbacks. Registration with WI DATCP required. WI Stat. §94.76.
Wisconsin does not preempt local breed-specific legislation. Some WI cities have breed bans. WI Stat. §174.042 covers dangerous dogs based on behavior.
Janesville requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. Dog licensing required statewide under WI Stat. §174.
Wisconsin Statute Chapter 951 prohibits animal cruelty and neglect statewide, applying uniformly to hoarding situations. Local ordinances may supplement but cannot weaken state standards for animal treatment and confinement.
Wisconsin's right-to-farm law (Wis. Stat. 823.08) and Livestock Facility Siting Law (Wis. Stat. 93.90) limit municipal authority to restrict agricultural operations and standardize permitting for livestock facilities statewide.
Wisconsin Statute Chapter 169 governs captive wildlife statewide, requiring licenses for possession of native wildlife and prohibiting harmful exotic species. The Department of Natural Resources enforces uniformly across all municipalities.
Wisconsin prohibits feeding and baiting deer and elk in counties with chronic wasting disease (CWD) under Wis. Stat. 29.614. The Department of Natural Resources enforces these restrictions uniformly across affected counties.
Sheds in Janesville are accessory buildings governed by Section 42-121 of Chapter 42 (Zoning) of the Janesville Code of General Ordinances. The Janesville Building Division does not require a building permit for a residential storage building under 80 square feet, but all applicable zoning setbacks and accessory-structure standards in Chapter 42 still apply.
Janesville zoning is in Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances. The current code (adopted 1981) does not provide a separate accessory dwelling unit (ADU) classification; second dwellings are regulated through the underlying residential district standards. The R1 district permits single-family and two-family dwellings, so a duplex on a conforming lot is the typical path for adding a second unit. The City is undertaking a Zoning and Subdivision Code Rewrite (Spring 2024 - Summer 2025) that explicitly studies ADUs, tiny homes, and alternative housing as part of Article 8 (Alternative Development Options).
Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code (Wis. Stat. ch. 101 and SPS 320-325) sets statewide construction standards for one- and two-family dwellings, including tiny homes built as permanent dwellings. Local governments cannot impose stricter building code standards than the UDC.
Janesville enforces property maintenance including grass height. The city addresses blight from the GM closure era with active code enforcement in affected neighborhoods.
Janesville enforces weed abatement under WI Stat. §66.0407. WI DNR NR 40 governs invasive species. County enforcement also applies.
Janesville General Ordinances Sec. 18.32.035 (Chapter 18 Zoning, adopted by Ord. 2019-748 effective June 25, 2019) regulates fence heights by zoning district and setback area. In residential districts, semi-transparent fences are capped at 4 ft in the front setback, 6 ft in the corner side setback, and 6 ft in the interior side and rear setbacks. Privacy fences are limited to 30 inches in front and corner side setbacks but allowed up to 6 ft in interior side and rear yards. Business and office districts allow up to 4 ft (front), 6 ft (corner side), and 8 ft (interior side/rear). Industrial districts allow up to 12 ft in all setback areas. A fence permit from the Building Division is required before installation, except for fences under 16 ft in length, decorative fences under 2 ft, invisible pet fences, temporary event/construction fencing, and chicken runs.
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.
Wisconsin enforces uniform pool barrier requirements through the Department of Safety and Professional Services. SPS 390 governs public pools and the Uniform Dwelling Code addresses residential pool fencing, preempting inconsistent local building standards for one and two-family dwellings.
Janesville requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Janesville restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Janesville manages parking around the courthouse square, downtown, and Rock River recreation areas. Winter alternate-side parking enables efficient snow plowing.
Wisconsin law defines abandoned vehicles and authorizes removal after 48 hours on highways or public property. State statute provides uniform procedures for impoundment, notice to owners, and disposal applicable in every municipality.
Janesville allows home occupations as accessory use in residential zones. Home occupation permit required. WI cottage food law applies for home bakers.
Wisconsin allows home producers to sell certain non-hazardous foods directly to consumers without a license under the Pickle Bill and baked-goods rulings. State law sets uniform sales caps, labeling, and product limits.
Wisconsin requires state licensing or certification for any home caring for four or more unrelated children. The Department of Children and Families administers uniform standards that preempt conflicting local rules.
Janesville participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The City adopted FEMA's revised Rock County Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) effective in 2015 and updated its local floodplain zoning ordinance to remain NFIP-compliant. Floodplain regulations are codified in Chapter 42, Article XIV (Floodplain Overlay District), with Shoreland-Wetland Overlay rules in Article XV. The Rock River runs through the City, and approximately 1,065 properties were notified during the 2013-2015 mapping update.
Wisconsin's NR 115 sets minimum shoreland zoning standards along navigable waters, and the Public Trust Doctrine protects Great Lakes shores. Counties must adopt rules at least as strict as NR 115 statewide.
Wisconsin requires erosion control practices on construction sites under NR 151 and SPS 321. State standards apply uniformly, and one- and two-family dwelling sites follow Department of Safety and Professional Services rules.
Wisconsin's NR 151 sets statewide performance standards for construction site and post-construction stormwater runoff. DNR administers WPDES permits, and local programs must meet or exceed state minimums.
Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 115 sets uniform impervious surface coverage limits for shoreland properties statewide. Counties must adopt these standards, typically capping coverage at 15 percent, with mitigation allowing up to 30 percent in certain circumstances.
Wisconsin Statute § 59.692 and Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 115 establish uniform statewide shoreland zoning standards including setback requirements from navigable waters. Counties must adopt these minimum standards, and municipalities cannot impose more restrictive shoreland setbacks.
Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) under Wis. Stat. § 101.65 sets statewide construction standards for one and two-family dwellings. While zoning height limits remain local, structural standards including height-related requirements are uniform and preempt conflicting municipal building codes.
Wisconsin has no legal recreational or medical marijuana dispensary program. State law prohibits cannabis sales, so no municipality can authorize dispensary operations through zoning ordinances.
Wisconsin prohibits all marijuana cultivation, including for personal use. Growing any cannabis plant is a felony under state controlled substances law. No municipality may authorize home cultivation.
Wisconsin commercial drone operators follow FAA Part 107 and state preemption under Wis. Stat. 114.045. Local governments cannot impose competing flight rules, though state privacy and surveillance statutes apply.
Wisconsin Statute 114.045 preempts most local drone regulation, reserving authority to the state and FAA. Recreational pilots must follow federal Part 107 hobbyist rules and Wisconsin's drone-privacy criminal statute.
Wisconsin Statute 104.001 expressly preempts cities, villages, towns, and counties from establishing a minimum wage higher than the state minimum, ensuring uniform wage rules across Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Statute 103.10 and 104.001 preempt local paid sick leave ordinances, blocking cities and counties from requiring private employers to provide paid time off beyond state and federal mandates.
Wisconsin preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances under Wis. Stat. 103.007, ensuring statewide uniformity for employer scheduling practices and forbidding municipal advance-notice mandates.
Wisconsin issues shall-issue concealed weapon licenses to qualified residents age 21+ who complete training, pass a background check, and pay required fees, with statewide preemption preventing local rules.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0409 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, barring cities, villages, towns, and counties from enacting ordinances stricter than state law on possession, transportation, sale, or registration of firearms and ammunition.
Wisconsin permits adults at least 18 who are not prohibited persons to openly carry firearms in public without a permit, with statewide preemption blocking local restrictions on lawful open carry.
Wisconsin Statute 941.23 makes carrying a concealed handgun in a vehicle without a CCW license a misdemeanor, while open carry and licensed concealed carry inside vehicles are lawful statewide subject to limited prohibited zones.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0104 and Act 317 prevent municipalities from limiting landlord-tenant relationships beyond state law, including any local just-cause eviction requirement. Eviction grounds and procedures are governed exclusively by Wis. Stat. ch. 704 and ATCP 134.
Wisconsin Statute 66.1015 expressly prohibits any city, village, town, or county from regulating the amount of rent or fees charged for residential rental units. The preemption is total, with narrow exceptions for government-owned housing and voluntary agreements.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0104 limits how cities can require rental property registration and inspection. Programs must target districts with documented blight or code issues, and inspection fees are capped between roughly $75 and $150 depending on inspection type.
Wisconsin's Working Lands Initiative under Statute 91 establishes farmland preservation zoning districts, certifies county and local plans, and offers income tax credits to farmers in certified agricultural enterprise areas.
Wisconsin Statute 823.08 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits by neighbors, requiring courts to dismiss claims unless the farm substantially threatens public health or safety.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0419, enacted by 2015 Act 17, preempts cities, villages, towns, and counties from regulating, banning, or imposing fees on auxiliary containers including plastic bags, cups, and bottles.
Wisconsin's auxiliary container preemption law in Statute 66.0419 prevents municipalities from banning or restricting expanded polystyrene foam takeout containers, leaving any restriction to state legislation.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0419 preempts cities and counties from regulating plastic straws, stirrers, and similar single-use items, and the state has not adopted a statewide straw-on-request rule.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0401 applies to homeowners associations and condo associations, preempting deed restrictions and covenants that prohibit or significantly impair solar energy systems on owner property.
Wisconsin Statute 66.0401 broadly preempts municipalities and counties from restricting solar and wind energy systems unless restrictions serve specific public health, safety, or aesthetic exceptions defined by state law.
Wisconsin Statute 134.66 prohibits selling, giving, or furnishing cigarettes, tobacco, or vapor products to any person under 21 years of age and requires retailers to verify age via valid ID before sale.
Wisconsin has not enacted a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products; sales of menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes remain lawful under Wis. Stat. 134.66 subject to age and licensing rules.
Wisconsin regulates electronic vaping devices under its tobacco statutes, requiring retailer licenses, age-verification, and excise taxes on vapor products, with state law preempting most local retail rules under 134.66.