Racine County, WI Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- Racine County Code § 20-1089(g)
- Minimum width
- 12 feet, all driveways
- Coverage
- Unincorporated Racine County only
- Base standard
- Must carry emergency/fire vehicles
- Penalty
- $20–$1,000 forfeiture per day
Summary
Racine County's zoning code sets a 12-foot minimum width for every driveway and requires the base material to carry emergency and fire vehicles, whether the access crosses open field, woods, or steep ground to reach the house.
Access drives to principal structures which traverse wooded, steep, or open fields shall be constructed and maintained to a width and base material depth sufficient to support access by emergency vehicles. All driveways shall have a minimum width of twelve (12) feet with road strength capable of supporting emergency and fire vehicles, in compliance with any town standards. (Code 1975, § 7.054; Ord. No. 86-86, § 7.054, 8-26-86; Ord. No. 2000-251S, 8-28-01; Ord. No. 2005-69S, 9-13-05; Ord. No. 2020-110, 4-13-21)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
The standard is in Sec. 20-1089, the driveway-access section of the county zoning code's off-street parking division, which governs the unincorporated county: the City of Racine, Burlington, and the county's other villages set their own driveway rules. Every driveway must be at least 12 feet wide with road strength built to support emergency and fire apparatus; access drives crossing wooded, steep, or open-field terrain must be built to a width and base-material depth adequate for that use, in compliance with any additional town standard. The zoning administrator enforces the standard under Sec. 20-12.
Violations & Fines
Undersized or under-built driveways are chapter 20 zoning violations: a forfeiture of $20 to $1,000 plus prosecution costs under Sec. 20-12, assessed per day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Racine County require driveways to be paved?
Do these driveway rules apply inside Racine or Burlington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
Compare Racine County to another location·View the Wisconsin parking rules overview
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