Racine County, WI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Racine County Code § 16-146
- Permit authority
- County public works department
- Fee basis
- Set by budget process or resolution
- Abandoned access
- Revocable after 1 year unused
- Appeal window
- 30 days to public works committee
Summary
Racine County requires a written access permit before anyone builds a driveway, excavates, or installs a culvert in a county trunk highway right-of-way, administered by the public works department under Sec. 16-146.
No person shall use the existing highway right-of-way for access to abutting properties without prior written authorization as required under this article. No person shall construct or use an access point within the meaning of this article until or unless a valid permit has been obtained from the department.
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
Under Sec. 16-146, no one may use the right-of-way of a county trunk highway for access to abutting property, or construct, alter, or use an access point, without a permit from the county public works department. The rule covers driveways, culverts, excavations, fills, and other alterations to the highway or its ditches. Fees are set by the county board's budget process or resolution; larger developments (20+ residential units or 20,000+ square feet of commercial/industrial space) can be required to submit a traffic impact analysis. This applies only to county trunk highways under county jurisdiction, not town, city, or village roads. An unused access point can be revoked after one year of abandonment, and denials may be appealed to the public works committee within 30 days.
Violations & Fines
Violations are enforced by the public works department; a court may order an unpermitted or unrectified access point removed at the violator's cost, and forfeitures under Sec. 16-172 run $20 to $1,000 per day plus costs, with jail time possible in default of payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to add a driveway onto a county highway in Racine County?
Does this permit apply to town or city roads in Racine County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
Compare Racine County to another location·View the Wisconsin sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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