Sun Prairie enforces maximum grass and weed height, typically 8 to 12 inches. Overgrown properties subject to code compliance action and city abatement.
Sun Prairie enforces weed abatement under WI Stat. §66.0407. WI DNR NR 40 governs invasive species. County enforcement also applies.
Wisconsin allows residential rainwater harvesting without state restriction. Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, and other Dane County cities actively encourage rain barrels through rebate programs. MMSD (Madison Metro Sewer) offers subsidies. Large cisterns may need SPS 382 plumbing review.
Sun Prairie requires building permits for pools, spas, and hot tubs. WI Uniform Dwelling Code governs. Inspections required.
Sun Prairie requires pool barriers to prevent unsupervised child access. Minimum 48-inch height. Self-closing, self-latching gates. WI Stat. §145.17.
Sun Prairie enforces pool safety requirements including anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act), barriers, and depth markers. WI Stat. §145.17 governs.
Hot tubs and spas in Dane County are regulated under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 390 (ISPSC) and state electrical code SPS 316. A 240V dedicated GFCI circuit requires an electrical permit in Madison (MGO §29.07). Locking safety covers meeting ASTM F1346 can satisfy the UDC barrier requirement.
Above-ground pools over 24 inches deep in unincorporated Dane County require a building permit and must meet the same fencing requirements as in-ground pools.
Sun Prairie regulates fences under Title 17 (Zoning), Section 17.36.200 of the Municipal Code. Residential fences may not exceed six (6) feet in height, except within twenty (20) feet of a street yard property line, where the maximum is four (4) feet. Fences along side and rear lot lines may sit on the property line, but must be set back at least two (2) feet from the street yard (front) property line. A building permit issued by the Sun Prairie Building Inspection Division (300 E. Main Street) is required prior to installation, and a final inspection verifying location, height, and materials is mandatory.
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.
Dane County municipalities allow wood (cedar, treated pine), vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and composite fencing. Madison General Ordinance §28 zoning specifies material rules. Barbed wire prohibited residentially; electric fencing limited to ag zones. Materials must withstand WI freeze-thaw.
Wisconsin UDC SPS 390 and the state-adopted ISPSC require all residential pools and spas to be surrounded by a minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates. Madison (MGO §29.07), Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton enforce these barriers at permit inspection.
Retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall require a building permit and engineered plans throughout Dane County under the Wisconsin UDC and DSPS SPS 321. Madison (MGO §29.07), Fitchburg, and Middleton require permits at lower thresholds if surcharged.
Fence permits in unincorporated Dane County are generally not required for standard agricultural or residential fences, but Zoning Compliance Review may be needed in some districts.
Utility sheds 80 square feet or smaller (roughly 8 by 10 feet) do not require a building permit in Sun Prairie. Sheds over 80 square feet require both a building permit and a zoning permit from the Building Inspection Division. Sheds must sit at least 5 feet from any side or rear lot line, cannot be located between the principal building and the street frontage, and any shed within 10 feet of the house must include fire separation. Garages or accessory buildings exceeding 1,000 square feet require a conditional use permit.
Sun Prairie allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on residential properties under Title 17 (Zoning) of the Sun Prairie Municipal Code. The Plan Commission recommended approval of an ADU ordinance amendment, with first reading at the City Council on April 21, 2026 and a recommended maximum size of 1,000 sq ft. Both attached and detached ADUs are permitted in residential districts (including SR-4, MR-8, and UR-12) without a conditional use permit. ADUs are exempt from maximum density and floor area ratio calculations, no additional parking is required, and owner occupancy is not mandated. ADUs use reduced rear-yard setbacks applicable to accessory structures.
Carports are regulated as accessory structures under Madison MGO Ch. 28 (Zoning) and the Wisconsin UDC (SPS 321). A building permit is required for any carport in Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton. Dane County Ch. 10 Zoning governs unincorporated carports.
Foundation-built tiny homes in Dane County are treated as standard dwellings under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 320-325 (UDC). Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs/mobile homes under Wis. Stat. §101.91. 2017 Wisconsin Act 67 and Act 317 expanded ADU flexibility. Minimum habitable size is generally 150 sq ft under IRC Appendix Q.
Garage conversions to living space in unincorporated Dane County require building permits and must meet habitable space standards under Wisconsin building code. Converting to an ADU is permitted in appropriate zoning districts.
Sun Prairie has no STR-specific parking rule, so guests must follow citywide vehicle and traffic rules in Title 10 of the Sun Prairie Municipal Code. The city prohibits leaving any vehicle on a city street for longer than 48 hours without being moved, bans all street parking during a declared snow emergency, and prohibits parking on designated Snow Routes from midnight to 7:00 a.m. December 1 through March 31. Wisconsin Statute 66.1014 preserves municipal parking authority over STR guests.
Sun Prairie has no short-term-rental-specific noise ordinance. STR hosts and guests are governed by Chapter 8.32 (Noise Control) of the Sun Prairie Municipal Code, which prohibits any loud and unnecessary noise (Sec. 8.32.010) and caps stationary noise at the property line in residential zones at 60 dB daytime and 50 dB nighttime under Section 8.32.030. Wisconsin Statute 66.1014 prevents the city from banning STRs of seven days or longer but expressly preserves local authority to enforce noise ordinances.
Sun Prairie requires city licensing for short-term rentals plus DATCP tourist rooming house license. Growing bedroom community status creates modest STR demand for visitors to the Madison metro area.
Wisconsin state room tax is 5% (WI Stat. §77.98). Sun Prairie levies additional local room tax. Platforms auto-collect in many jurisdictions. Total 10 to 14% typical.
Dane County and its municipalities (Madison, Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton) do not mandate a specific STR liability minimum, but Wisconsin tourist rooming house licensing under Wis. Stat. §97.605 and Madison General Ordinances (MGO) Ch. 32 expect hosts to carry adequate coverage. Standard Wisconsin homeowner policies typically exclude commercial rental activity.
Madison MGO §28.151 caps tourist rooming house occupancy at 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Wis. Stat. §66.1014 preempts outright STR bans but allows reasonable occupancy limits. Dane County unincorporated areas apply Ch. 10 standards.
Dane County does not impose a county-wide annual night cap on short-term rentals. Wis. Stat. §66.1014 (the right-to-rent law) bars local governments from prohibiting rentals of 7+ consecutive days and forbids capping 6-29 day rentals below 180 days per year. State licensing under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72 kicks in once a property is rented more than 10 nights in a year.
Sun Prairie regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Sun Prairie enforces quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM. Noise disturbances enforceable under WI Stat. §947.01 (Disorderly Conduct).
Sun Prairie considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Dane County municipalities regulate leaf blowers under local noise ordinances. Wisconsin has no statewide gas blower ban. Madison General Ordinance 24.04 imposes decibel limits; quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM across Dane County cities.
Dane County does not have specific construction hour restrictions for unincorporated areas. Wisconsin's general noise laws apply. Individual towns may set stricter standards.
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.
Outdoor burning regulated by WI DNR and local ordinance. Sun Prairie may prohibit most open burning. Garbage burning always illegal. DNR permits required in protection areas.
Sun Prairie restricts consumer fireworks to sparklers and non-explosive devices per WI law. The city has heightened fireworks awareness following the 2018 explosion during the annual Hometown Days celebration.
Dane County is not designated as a high wildfire hazard zone; Wisconsin regulates wildfire primarily through DNR burning permits under Wis. Stat. §26.12 and §26.14, with no defensible-space ordinance in Madison or unincorporated Dane County.
Dane County Code Ch. 35 (Weeds) and municipal property maintenance codes require vacant lot and residential brush/weed control. WI DNR manages wildfire risk primarily in central/northern Wisconsin; Dane County focus is urban weed abatement and shoreland buffer rules.
Smoke detector requirements in unincorporated Dane County are set by Wisconsin state law, not the county. Wis. Stat. §101.645 requires functional smoke detectors in the basement and on every floor level (except attic/storage) of one- and two-family dwellings. New construction under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 321.09 must use hardwired, interconnected detectors inside each sleeping room and within 21 feet of sleeping-room doors. Violations carry up to $50/day forfeiture.
Recreational fire pits in unincorporated Dane County are generally permitted subject to Wisconsin DNR burning guidelines and common-sense safety practices. No specific county fire pit ordinance exists.
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.
Sun Prairie restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Sun Prairie requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Sun Prairie enforces alternate-side parking November through March and 48-hour maximum street parking. Snow emergencies declared during heavy snowfall ban parking on designated plowing routes throughout the city.
Wisconsin Stat. §342.40 and §349.13 let Dane County and its municipalities tag and tow vehicles left over 48 hours on public ways or stored inoperable in view. Madison (MGO §12.82) gives 48-hour notice. Dane County Code §48.09 covers unincorporated junk vehicles on private property.
Madison enforces a citywide Alternate Side Parking rule (MGO §12.76) from March 15 to March 14 annually between 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton each ban overnight street parking during snow/ice operations. Unincorporated Dane County generally defers to town road rules.
EV charger installations in Dane County are governed by the Wisconsin DSPS Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) and state electrical code SPS 316 based on NEC Article 625. Madison, Fitchburg, and Middleton all issue expedited electrical permits. Wisconsin 2023 Act 121 clarifies that private EV charging is not a regulated utility.
RV and boat storage in unincorporated Dane County is primarily regulated by Dane County Chapter 10 (Zoning). Many rural residential districts allow on-lot storage of RVs and boats.
Sun Prairie requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. Dog licensing required statewide under WI Stat. §174.
Sun Prairie 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.
Madison General Ordinance §9.52 allows up to 4 chicken hens per residential property with $10 license; roosters banned. Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton allow backyard hens with permits. Dane County Zoning Ch. 10 reserves larger livestock to ag districts. WI §93.90 Right to Farm protects ag operations.
Wisconsin Stat. §29.335 bans deer baiting and feeding statewide in counties with CWD positives, including Dane County. Madison (MGO §9.22) prohibits feeding deer, turkeys, and waterfowl on public land. Dane County Code §46.06 prohibits wildlife feeding that creates nuisance conditions.
Dane County Chapter 47 addresses dangerous animals. Wisconsin DNR licensing is required for most exotic/wild animals. Possessing unregistered exotic wildlife is illegal under state law.
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.
Sun Prairie allows home occupations as accessory use in residential zones. Home occupation permit required. WI cottage food law applies for home bakers.
Wisconsin's 'Pickle Bill' (Wis. Stat. §97.29(2)(b)) and the 2017 Court-ordered expansion allow home baking and canning sales without a license up to $5,000/year (baked goods) with no cap on pickled items. Madison, Fitchburg, and Dane County farmers markets all host cottage food vendors.
Wisconsin DCF licenses family childcare under Wis. Stat. Ch. 48 and DCF 250/251. Madison (MGO §28.151) treats licensed family daycare up to 8 children as a permitted home occupation. Group daycare (9-15) requires a conditional use permit. Dane County follows the same tiers in unincorporated zoning.
Home occupations in unincorporated Dane County are regulated under Chapter 10 (Zoning Ordinance). Most rural-residential and farmland-preservation districts list home occupations as a conditional use, requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Zoning and Land Regulation Committee. Agricultural-use businesses on farms generally rely on the Farmland Preservation framework instead.
Signage for home businesses in unincorporated Dane County is regulated through Chapter 10 zoning. Residential districts typically allow small, non-illuminated signs only.
Home occupation customer traffic standards in unincorporated Dane County vary by zoning district. Rural and agricultural zones are more permissive; residential-transitional zones restrict visible business activity.
Sun Prairie participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development under Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 116, plus 44 CFR Parts 59-72. Koshkonong Creek is the principal regulated waterway through the city, with secondary drainage to Token Creek (northwest) and the Maunesha River (northeast). Hydric soils, spring snowmelt, and proximity to Koshkonong Creek make portions of the city flood-prone, as demonstrated by the June 2008 flood event. New residential structures are prohibited in the regulatory floodway, and structures in the flood fringe must be elevated to the flood protection elevation. Floodplain permits and FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps are administered through the city zoning office and the Wisconsin DNR.
Dane County Ch. 14 and Madison MGO Ch. 37 require erosion control permits for land disturbance of 4,000 sq ft (Madison) or 1 acre (county). Implements WI NR 151. Silt fence, tracking pads, and weekly inspections mandatory.
Dane County Chapter 14 and Madison General Ordinance Ch. 37 require stormwater control plans for new development with 4,000+ sq ft of disturbance. Post-construction practices must reduce TSS by 80% and meet Yahara TMDL phosphorus limits.
Dane County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance Ch. 11 enforces WI NR 115 buffers: 75-foot setback from Yahara lakes (Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa) and navigable streams. Impervious surface capped at 15% within 300 feet of OHWM.
Dane County and Madison require grading permits for earthwork exceeding 400 cubic yards or disturbance of 4,000+ sq ft. Fill cannot redirect surface water onto adjoining lots. Retaining walls over 4 feet need engineered plans per WI DSPS UDC.
Madison MGO §9.06 (Direct Sellers) requires peddlers and transient merchants to obtain a Direct Seller permit from City Clerk with background check, photo ID badge. WI Stat. §100.65 also regulates direct sellers. Religious, political canvassing exempt under First Amendment.
Madison and Dane County residents can post 'No Soliciting' signs enforceable under MGO §9.06. No formal city-maintained no-knock registry in Madison, but posted signs trigger citations when ignored. Political/religious canvassing remains constitutionally protected regardless of signage.
Madison MGO §28.140 caps light spillover at 0.5 foot-candle at any residential property line. Dane County enforces similar limits via zoning. Common-law nuisance claims also available. Security and flood lights must be aimed and shielded.
Madison MGO §28.140 and Dane County zoning require full-cutoff fixtures for commercial and multifamily outdoor lighting. Max 0.5 foot-candle spillover at residential property lines. No county-wide dark-sky ordinance, but UW-Madison Washburn Observatory influences local practice.
Madison's Streets Division provides free weekly trash and biweekly recycling pickup (MGO §10.18). Carts must be placed curbside by 7 AM on collection day and retrieved within 24 hours. Between pickups, carts must be stored out of public view. Fitchburg, Middleton, and Sun Prairie contract with private haulers under similar screening rules.
Vacant lot owners in Dane County must control noxious weeds under Wis. Stat. §66.0407 and keep grass under 8 inches per Madison Gen. Ord. §27.05(2)(j); failure to comply triggers municipal abatement with costs billed to the owner as a special charge.
Madison MGO 10.28 requires sidewalk snow/ice clearance by noon the day after snowfall ends. Sun Prairie Ch. 7 requires 24 hours. Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, Monona impose 24 to 48 hour deadlines. Dane County snowbelt averages 50 inches annually. City will clear and bill for non-compliance.
Dane County municipalities enforce blight and property maintenance codes against messy garage sales. Madison MGO 27 (Property Maintenance) requires tidy display and same-day cleanup. Items left curbside after sale hours trigger nuisance abatement. Unsold goods cannot remain visible in front yard between sale days.
Dane County enforces property blight standards under Wis. Stat. Ch. 66 police powers; Madison Gen. Ord. Ch. 27 (Building & Property Maintenance Code) addresses deteriorated exteriors, broken windows, junk accumulation, and nuisances across Madison and unincorporated Dane County.
Dane County municipalities typically allow garage sales from 7 or 8 AM to 7 or 8 PM. Sun Prairie limits sales to 7 AM to 8 PM (Ch. 8). Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, and Monona follow similar daylight windows. Madison has no explicit hour restriction but applies general noise ordinance (MGO 24.08).
Most Dane County municipalities limit residential garage sales to 3 to 4 per calendar year, each 2 to 4 days long. Madison has no explicit frequency cap in MGO 9.13 but enforces through zoning when sales become commercial. Wisconsin DOR requires sales tax registration after 3 sales annually.
Madison does not require a permit for residential garage sales (MGO 9.13). Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, and Monona also do not require permits. All jurisdictions enforce sign placement rules under their sign codes and prohibit commercial resale operations.
Madison requires 1:1 to 2:1 replacement for removed terrace trees (MGO 10.10). Development projects under MGO 28.142 must meet minimum canopy requirements. Dane County has no private replacement ordinance. Replacement species must follow Madison's approved list emphasizing climate-adapted varieties.
Madison MGO 10.055 allows Landmark Tree designation based on size, species, or historical significance. Listed trees cannot be removed without Landmarks Commission approval. Dane County has no formal heritage tree program. State champion trees are tracked by DNR but lack regulatory protection.
Madison MGO 10.10 regulates trees in the terrace (public right-of-way) and requires City Forestry permits for removal. Private tree removal is generally unregulated. Dane County has no countywide private tree ordinance. Oak wilt restrictions under Wis. Stat. §26.30 ban April 1 to July 31 pruning.
Madison requires Mobile Food Vending License under MGO §9.13 plus Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) food service license. Annual vehicle inspection, commissary, liability insurance, and certified food protection manager required per WI Ch. ATCP 75.
Madison Food Cart Review regulates State Street, Library Mall, Capitol Square vending with lottery-assigned spaces (MGO §9.13). Private property vending needs owner consent and zoning compliance. Distance-from-restaurant rules uncommon in Madison but exist in suburbs.
Rent control is illegal in Wisconsin. Wis. Stat. §66.1015 preempts any local rent regulation; Act 67 (2011) and Act 317 (2017) further barred Madison and Dane County from capping rent increases. Market rate applies. Wis. Stat. Ch. 704 governs notice.
Wisconsin has no just-cause eviction law. Wis. Stat. Ch. 704 governs: 5-day cure or quit for nonpayment, 14-day unconditional quit option, 28-day no-cause for month-to-month. 2017 Act 317 preempts local just-cause ordinances. Self-help evictions banned.
Madison requires Certificate of Compliance every 4 years for rentals under MGO §27.05 and operates a Chronic Nuisance program. 2017 Act 317 preempts cities from mandating broader rental registration or inspection fees. Fitchburg and Stoughton run similar limited programs.
Madison MGO §31.043 treats garage sale signs as temporary noncommercial signs, limited to 6 sq ft, with up to 2 off-premises signs allowed for 3 days. No signs on utility poles, street signs, or in the right-of-way per Wis. Stat. §86.19. Must remove within 24 hours of sale.
Holiday decorations on private residential property are permitted in Dane County with minimal restrictions. No permit needed. Must not obstruct public sidewalks or block driver sight lines. Electrical work must meet WI DSPS UDC SPS 316. Noise rules apply after 10pm.
Madison MGO §31.043 and Dane County sign codes allow political signs on private property. First Amendment and Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) bar content-based rules. WI §12.04 prohibits signs on public property. Typical limit 32 sq ft residential. Removal within 7 days post-election customary.
Recreational drones in Dane County follow FAA rules (49 USC §44809): TRUST test, registration if over 0.55 lbs, 400-ft ceiling, VLOS. Madison/Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) Class C airspace restricts flights. Madison Parks prohibit launches without permit.
Commercial drone operators in Dane County need FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. MSN Airport Class C requires LAANC. Madison film permits (MGO §9.24) may apply for commercial photography. Part 107 waivers needed for night ops and flights over people.
Madison Streets Division provides weekly curbside trash and biweekly recycling (MGO §10.18). Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona contract Pellitteri, Waste Management, or operate municipal service. Carts out by 7 AM; snow delays common with 45+ inch snow belt.
Wisconsin §287.07 mandates residential recycling statewide — Dane County has one of the strongest compliance cultures. Madison MGO §10.18 requires paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics #1-#7. No plastic bags in single-stream. Contaminated carts skipped.
Madison MGO §10.185 requires carts placed at curb lid-closed by 7 AM, returned to storage within 24 hours. Carts must be 3 feet apart and clear of mailboxes, hydrants, parked cars. Winter snow piles complicate placement; carts on plowed path not in street.
Madison Streets offers large item collection by appointment (MGO §10.188) for furniture, mattresses, appliances. Appliances with refrigerant need CFC removal. Dane County Rodefeld Landfill (Verona) handles household hazardous waste drop-off.
Wisconsin prohibits cannabis dispensaries. No medical or recreational retail is authorized under Wis. Stat. Ch. 961. Dane County and all municipalities follow state law. CBD hemp retail under Wis. Stat. §94.55 is legal for products under 0.3% THC. Dispensary signage or operation triggers felony charges.
Wisconsin prohibits ALL cannabis cultivation under Wis. Stat. Ch. 961 (Uniform Controlled Substances Act). No medical or recreational program exists. Growing any cannabis plant is a felony if 4+ plants, misdemeanor if fewer. Madison MGO 23.20 decriminalizes small-quantity possession but NOT cultivation.
Madison MGO §25.09 sets juvenile curfew for under-17: 11 PM to 5 AM weeknights, midnight to 5 AM weekends. Exceptions: parent accompaniment, work travel, school events, emergency. WI Stat. Ch. 938 Juvenile Justice Code provides state framework. Parental liability applies.
Dane County Parks close 10 PM to 6 AM per Ord. Ch. 16. City of Madison parks close 10 PM to 4 AM (MGO 8.20). Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton, Monona parks close 10 or 11 PM. After-hours presence is a municipal citation.
Dane County Zoning Ord. Ch. 10 requires minimum setbacks: 30 ft front, 10 ft side, 25 ft rear in SFR-08 district. Madison Zoning Code (MGO 28) sets TR-C1 setbacks at 20 ft front, 6 ft side, 30 ft rear. Shoreland-zoned parcels along Yahara lakes require 75 ft ordinary high-water setback under NR 115.
Madison Zoning Code (MGO 28) caps single-family residential at 35 ft or 2.5 stories. Dane County Ord. Ch. 10 allows 35 ft in SFR-08. Downtown Madison heights vary 6 to 20 stories by district. State Capitol view preservation caps heights within 1 mile of Capitol at 187.5 ft per Wis. Stat. §13.48(2)(f).
Madison TR-C1 zoning (MGO 28) caps lot coverage at 50%, TR-C2 at 55%. Dane County SFR-08 caps at 30%. Yahara-basin stormwater ordinance (Dane County Ch. 14) requires infiltration BMPs for impervious additions over 1,000 sq ft. NR 151 applies in shoreland districts.
Wis. Stat. §66.0401 extends beyond municipalities to restrictive covenants: HOAs cannot effectively prohibit solar panels. Reasonable placement rules allowed only if they don't significantly increase cost (10%+) or decrease efficiency (10%+).
Solar panel installations require electrical and building permits under WI DSPS UDC (SPS 321, 316). Wis. Stat. §66.0401 limits municipal restrictions on solar collectors. Madison offers expedited MadiSUN permit review. Net metering through Madison Gas & Electric or Alliant Energy.
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'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 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.