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Adams County, WI
 
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The jurisdiction of this chapter shall include all lands and waters within Adams County, Wisconsin, except those lands incorporated in any city or village within the County.
A. 
No land shall be used or structure erected where the land is unsuitable for such use or structure by reason of flooding, concentrated runoff, inadequate drainage, adverse soil or rock formation, unfavorable topography, low bearing strength, erosion susceptibility, or any other feature likely to be harmful to the health, safety, prosperity, aesthetics, and general welfare of this community. The County Planning and Zoning Committee, in applying the provisions of this section, shall specify in writing the particular facts upon which it bases its conclusion that the land is not suitable for certain uses. The applicant shall have an opportunity to present evidence contesting such unsuitability if he so desires. Thereafter, the County Planning and Zoning Committee may affirm, modify, or withdraw its determination of unsuitability.
B. 
All lots shall abut upon a public street, and each lot shall have a minimum frontage of 33 feet.
C. 
No zoning permit shall be issued for a lot which abuts a public street dedicated to only a portion of its proposed width if the lot is on that side of the roadway from which the required dedication has not been secured.
The following use restrictions and regulations shall apply:
A. 
Only those principal uses specified for a district and their essential services shall be permitted in that district.
B. 
Only one principal structure shall be located, erected or moved onto a lot, except in the following districts: A-1, A-1(15), A-2, B-1 and R-3. Exception: Residential condominiums, where permitted, may have multiple dwelling units on a single parcel.
C. 
Customary accessory uses and structures are permitted in any district. Accessory structures shall not consist of truck bodies or trailers, buses, recreational vehicles, shipping containers or mobile or manufactured homes. An accessory structure may not be constructed or placed in any residential district until its principal use or structure is present or under construction; both the principal structure and accessory structure may be commenced at the same time. A special exception must be granted to place an accessory structure with no principal structure. Residential and public and semipublic accessory uses shall not involve the conduct of any business, trade, or industry, except that in a residential district home occupations and professional home offices are permitted.
D. 
Conditional uses and their accessory uses are considered as special uses requiring review, public hearing, and approval by the County Planning and Zoning Committee in accordance with § 405-21 of this chapter.
E. 
The regular outside parking of more than one truck, other than panel or pickup trucks, or of other vehicular equipment, which exceeds 30 feet in length shall be prohibited in all residential districts.
F. 
Unclassified or unspecified uses shall not be permitted or conditional. Such uses may be allowable with issuance of a special exception permit.
G. 
Temporary uses, such as real estate sales field offices or shelters for materials and equipment being used in the construction of a permanent structure, are permitted upon obtaining a zoning permit from the Planning and Zoning Department. Such temporary uses shall not exceed a period of two years.
H. 
If space and soil conditions are adequate, private on-site waste treatment systems (POWTS) must be placed on the same parcel as the structure(s) served by the POWTS.
I. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to place, locate, or park any manufactured home in any district other than a B-1 District site conducting such home sales, unless the appropriate permits have been issued.
J. 
Mobile towers are a conditional use in all zoning districts.
A. 
Setbacks from navigable waters. All buildings and structures, stairways, walkways, piers and patios shall be set back at least 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) unless otherwise specified by Chapter 370, Floodplain Zoning, or Chapter 396, Shoreland, Wetland and Habitat Protection, of this Code.
B. 
Setbacks from access easements. The setback from private roads and easements serving more than one residence or parcel shall be 30 feet from the described easement; in case of an easement that does not have a legal description, 30 feet from the nearest point on the edge of the traveled way.
C. 
Corner lots. Corner lots shall have two front yards, and a rear yard shall be provided opposite the front yard of the street from which the building or structure obtains its primary access.
D. 
Fences, hedges, and certain accessory structures.
(1) 
Residential fences, hedges, and tree plantings are permitted along the inside of property lines or in the yards of residential districts. Residential fences shall not exceed a height of six feet. No height limitation shall be placed on tree plantings or hedges except those applicable in § 405-50. The "good" side of the fence must face to the outside.
(2) 
Security fences are permitted on the property lines in all districts but shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall be of an open type similar to woven wire or wrought iron fencing.
(3) 
Farm-related fencing is permitted along the property lines or in the yards of agricultural districts, provided that a substantial impediment to visibility is not thereby created (see § 405-50).
(4) 
Vegetation and certain accessory items used for landscaping and decorating may be placed in the required front, rear and side yards. Such items include, but are not limited to, flagpoles, ornamental light standards, ornamental ponds and fountains, lawn furniture, sundials, bird baths, trees, shrubs and flowers.
(5) 
Structural fences as described in Subsection D(1) and (2) above require a zoning permit.
E. 
Maintenance and use of setback area. Any such required setback area shall be kept clean and free from the accumulation of debris and refuse. Such required setback areas shall not be used for the storage or display of equipment, products, vehicles, or other materials.
A. 
Maximum height. In any district, no buildings or structures shall be erected or structurally altered to a height in excess of that specified by the regulations for that district.
B. 
Exceptions. The following shall be excepted from regulation of all districts:
(1) 
Chimneys and flues.
(2) 
Electric power and communication transmission lines.
C. 
Increase permitted. Subject to the approval of a conditional use permit and including any conditions placed by the Planning and Zoning Committee and Airport Commission as applicable:
(1) 
The maximum height of silos and windmills in agricultural districts and water towers and tanks in the Public and Semi-Public District may be increased above the maximum allowed in the district, provided that all required setbacks for the silos, windmills, and water towers or tanks are increased by one foot for each foot by which such silo, windmill, or water tower or tank exceeds the height limit.
(2) 
The maximum height of all other structures in all districts may be increased by not more than 10 feet above the maximum allowed in the district, provided that all required setbacks for the structures are increased by one foot for each foot by which such structures exceed the height limit. Such structures include cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, fire towers, monuments, penthouses, stacks, scenery lofts, tanks, ornamental towers, spires, wireless or broadcasting towers, masts, aerials, wind-powered generating units, and necessary mechanical appurtenances.
(3) 
Any increase in height beyond the scope of Subsection C(1) and (2) above shall require a variance.
A. 
Maximum ground coverage permitted. The maximum total ground coverage of the principal building and all accessory buildings and structures shall not exceed that specified by the regulations for the district in which such buildings are located.
B. 
Minimum dwelling size. The minimum livable floor area of any dwelling unit shall include only livable floor space, as measured from outside of wall to outside of wall, and may also include minimum structure widths, as provided for in individual districts.
C. 
Lot size.
(1) 
No building shall be erected on a lot of less area or lot width than as specified by the regulations of the district in which such building is located. Exceptions: See § 400-65.
(2) 
No lot area shall be reduced so as to create a lot of less than the required size or so that the existing setbacks, open space, or lot area would be reduced below that required by the regulations for the district in which such lot is located.
No lot, yard, parking area, building area, or other space shall be reduced in area or dimension so that it does not meet the provisions of this chapter. No part of any lot, yard, parking area, or other space required for a structure or use shall be used for any other structure or use.
A. 
In districts where recreational vehicles are a permitted use, a self-contained recreational vehicle may be placed on an individual lot without a permit, provided that it is not a permanent installation, remains mobile, and is licensed for highway use.
B. 
General regulations.
(1) 
Recreational vehicles/camping units.
(a) 
Buses, construction trailers, truck bodies and trailers and other similar items not intended for use as recreational vehicles or camping units are prohibited from such use.
(b) 
Recreational vehicles/camping units shall have a length of 45 feet or less and a body width of eight feet six inches or less.
(c) 
Park model trailers are allowed only in licensed campgrounds.
(d) 
Tiny homes are allowed only in licensed campgrounds.
(2) 
Camping. In districts where camping is a permitted use, a self-contained recreational vehicle or camping unit may be placed on an individual lot without a permit, provided that:
(a) 
No more than two camping units shall be located on any parcel;
(b) 
The unit is not a permanent installation (e.g., no continuous connection to sanitary system, dump use only, no foundation);
(c) 
The unit remains mobile (e.g., no skirting, no hitch removal or wheel removal);
(d) 
The unit is licensed for highway use (if applicable); and
(e) 
An acceptable method of sewage and gray water disposal is provided.