WELCOME Getting Smart About Home Modifications A Webinar Series Sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services W ebinar #5 Permits, Zoning and Codes! WITH Matt Tucker, Mike VanErem & Dave Porterfield

Please let us know who you are 1.Go to the “ASK” button in the upper left quadrant of your screen. Click on it and it will open a dialogue box. 2.Type in where you are listening from and how many people are listening from the same computer. 3.Questions can be asked in the same way and you may ask questions as you think of them, at any time during the presentation. We’ll generally answer questions at the end of the presentation unless there is something specific we need to clarify.

GOALS Establish a basic understanding of:  The Purpose of Zoning  Obtaining a Permit; when you need it How to obtain it

Presenters  Matt Tucker Zoning Administrator  Mike Van Erem Plan Review Specialist  Moderator: Dave Porterfield Property Developer, Movin’ Out, Inc.

Zoning: definition The division of lands by legislative regulations, into areas or zones, which specify allowable land uses and size restrictions.

Zoning: Why do we have it? Zoning is a tool used by a town, village, city or county to help manage how the land within its borders is used.

Zoning: How does it work Areas of land are designated as districts or zones. Each type of district or zone allows for a different type of land use and has specific area requirements.

Zoning: Why is it done? Zoning is the rule of government to regulate the use and development of lands in order to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public. It is enacted to help guide and control development, to implement long-range planning goals and objectives to address specific development issues that are important to the community.

Zoning: Is it required? Not all units of local government use zoning, but they have the legal authority to do so if they wish.

Zoning: How is it administered?  Each municipality administers and enforces their own local zoning rules  Federal and State government mandate certain uniform regulations: Shore land Floodplain Wetlands Airport height and use restrictions

Zoning: Accessibility Modifications  What you need to know, in general, when planning a home modification project Setback requirements Height restrictions Required yards Historic properties or districts Design requirements Maintenance regulations Private deed restrictions

Zoning: Accessibility Modifications  What you need to know, specifically, when planning a home modification project Property line locations Building locations Site-related features that may be regulated by local zoning code such as  Driveway, fence or tree/vegetation locations  Special conditions of approval for design or placement, such as urban design or historic district rules

Zoning: Who Do You Work With?  Local government offices City Village Township County  Websites – Google or Bing to learn more Many agencies have developed sites that contain most or all of their zoning requirements

Zoning: What is a Typical Process?  Timelines and process vary by community and by the complexity of the project  Get to know your zoning official(s) prior to doing a project to learn about the local process.  Control YOUR part of the process by being prepared with plans and information that will be helpful to staff who review and approve projects.

Building Codes and Permits  In order to carry out a building project, a local building permit is required to assure that what you plan to build will be in compliance with building codes.

Building Code: Defined  The building code is a “minimum standard” that insures that all projects are safe.

Wisconsin Building Codes  Wisconsin uses what is called the Uniform Dwelling Code for all 1 and 2 family homes.  Individual communities can be MORE restrictive, if they choose.

Building Code Enforcement  Larger municipalities have building inspectors. The local building inspector issues building permits and makes inspections  Some municipalities hire private firms to do their inspections  If a municipality chooses not to enforce the code, the State will do it. more

Building Code Enforcement  The Uniform Dwelling Code is required to be enforced for all 1 and 2 family homes in the State of Wisconsin built after  Any enforcement of code for homes built prior to 1980 is up to each municipality.

Building Codes and Permits: Home Modifications  There is no uniform process and no uniform fee applied to acquiring and paying for building permits.  Every municipality can, and usually does, do things differently!

Building Permit: “Typical” Process*  Plan your project  Draw up plans – draw to scale; show door sizes, dimensions and all structural information. For a ramp, you typically need a floor plan, cross-section, elevation and site plan.  Meet with staff – plans may be reviewed on the spot and a permit issued  Permit staff will then run through inspections for the project * Remember there is no uniform process so the municipality where you are working could be quite different. Meet your building/permit staff before starting a project so you know what will be required.

Finding Who to Work With  Each municipality should have some sort of “building department.” Ask the city, village, township or county administrative office.  If you can’t figure out who/what the building dept. is in the municipality where you want to do a project, contact the State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings Division at

Things to Remember  Always call before starting a project on a home; most of the time a permit IS required  Plans/drawings are required to get a permit.  Working without a permit can result in fines and/or reconstruction of the project.  Ramps require frost footings 48 inches below ground (this is often missed!)  Accessibility codes for 1 and 2 family homes are very minimal. Do not rely on building codes or permits to assume your project will work for the person using it. Example: required ramp slope is no more than 1:8. However, this is unlikely to work for most people!

Questions? There is a short lag between the time you type a question and the time we receive the question, so to remind you where to find the information from this presentation in the future…

Getting Smart About Home Modifications Re-runs  Power point presentations are located at Click on ‘learn more’ in the first paragraph of the home page which will lead you to the power point presentations.  The webinar itself can be replayed by going to the DHS webcast catalogue at Once there you can search for the presentation you want by name, date, presenter or subject, (e.g. Home Modifications).

CONTINUING WEBINAR SCHEDULE The final session is next week Tuesday 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. November 17: Building a Ramp Webinar Series Feedback Please send your feedback regarding the webinar series to