Bolthole Index

Dodge County, Wisconsin

Zoning, building permits and septic in the Village of Brownsville, Wisconsin

The Village of Brownsville, Wisconsin adopts and administers its own zoning code for land inside village limits1. Building permits are required before construction starts and come through the village building inspector, a role SAFEbuilt fills for the village23. Septic permits for unsewered lots in Dodge County are administered by the county Land Resources and Parks Department; we could not confirm how that applies inside village limits4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before construction; issued through the village building inspector (SAFEbuilt)23
Zoning
Village's own zoning code (Chapter 18) with R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, I, A-G and C-O districts15
Building code
Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code for one- and two-family homes, enforced in all Wisconsin municipalities6
Occupancy
Occupancy permit required after inspections7
Sewer connection
Written permit; new connections only where capacity exists8
Owner-builder
State rule lets an owner who occupies the home take out the permits; village rule unconfirmed9
Septic (unsewered lots)
Dodge County Land Resources and Parks administers septic rules; village role unconfirmed4

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Brownsville Building Inspector (SAFEbuilt)

Building inspection and permitting for the Village of Brownsville; new single-home permits go through the building inspector rather than the standard application form

1-262-364-9597

Also useful

Village of Brownsville Clerk-Treasurer

Receives completed building permit applications and answers general village questions at the Brownsville Community Center

920-583-4087

clerk@brownsvillewi.gov

871 Main Street

Septic permits

Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Department - Septic Systems

Septic (POWTS) rules and the county's three-year inspection and maintenance program for Dodge County

920-386-3703

landresources@co.dodge.wi.us

127 E. Oak St, Juneau, WI 53039

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Brownsville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does the Village of Brownsville have zoning?

Yes. The Village of Brownsville, Wisconsin adopts and administers its own zoning code, Chapter 18, for land inside village limits1. The code establishes R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential, C-1 and C-2 commercial, I industrial, A-G agricultural and C-O conservancy districts5. Dodge County's own general zoning applies only in 13 towns that adopted it, and cities and villages zone themselves10.

Lot sizes depend on the district. In the R-1 single-family district, a lot served by public sewer needs at least 10,000 square feet11. An R-1 lot without public sewer needs at least 20,000 square feet, and more where percolation rates require it12. The A-G agricultural district requires at least 1 acre and 150 feet of lot width13.

Setbacks and height also vary. R-1 lots need a 25-foot front yard and a 25-foot rear yard14, with a 35-foot height limit15. A-G lots need a 50-foot front yard and 30-foot side and rear yards16.

What does Brownsville allow for RVs, tiny homes and mobile homes?

We could not confirm Brownsville's rules for living in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on a lot inside the village. The Village Clerk-Treasurer can say what the village's mobile home and travel trailer provisions allow. Statewide, a manufactured home installed as a new one- or two-family dwelling falls under the Uniform Dwelling Code, and local zoning may also apply17.

Wisconsin's state park camping limits do not answer whether you can live in an RV on your own lot. Ask the Village Clerk-Treasurer18 before you buy or park anything on a village lot.

Do you need a building permit in the Village of Brownsville, and who issues it?

Yes. Under the village's building chapter, no owner or contractor may begin construction of a building or mechanical system before obtaining a permit from the municipal building inspector2. SAFEbuilt provides building inspection and permitting services for the village3.

For new homes the village's standard permit form is not used; contact the building inspector, and the state also requires the new-home permit to be filed online3. The village has adopted the state's Uniform Dwelling Code chapters, to be enforced by the building inspector19. The Uniform Dwelling Code is the statewide code for one- and two-family dwellings and is enforced in all Wisconsin municipalities6.

We could not confirm the village's building permit fee schedule; ask the Clerk-Treasurer18. Statewide, a $30 permit-seal fee applies to each new dwelling, and municipalities set their other fees by ordinance20.

How do septic and sewer work inside the Village of Brownsville?

Inside village limits, new connections to the Brownsville sanitary sewer are allowed only where downstream capacity is available, and a written permit is required before any connection8.

For lots without sewer, we could not confirm whether the village or Dodge County issues the septic permit. The Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Department administers the county's sanitary provisions and the state rules for private onsite wastewater treatment systems4. Statewide, a building permit cannot be issued for a new dwelling using a private onsite wastewater treatment system until a sanitary permit has been issued21. Septic systems in Wisconsin must be visually inspected at least once every 3 years22.

Ask both the county department and the Clerk-Treasurer before you rely on a septic design for a village lot418.

Building a home in Brownsville: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and its sewer status with the Clerk-Treasurer, since lot size, side yards and setbacks depend on both1218.
  2. Contact the building inspector before filling out forms; a new home does not use the standard application and must also be filed online3.
  3. Arrange sewer service with the village, or confirm septic rules with Dodge County for an unsewered lot84.
  4. Get the building permit before construction starts2.
  5. Call the inspector for the required inspections; at least 2 sets of plans are required statewide for a one- or two-family dwelling23.
  6. Obtain the occupancy permit after the inspector finds the building built to code; no one may occupy a building before it issues7.

An owner who occupies or will occupy the home may take out the construction and erosion-control permits under state rules; we could not confirm a separate village owner-builder provision9.

What stays with Dodge County, and what to check before you buy

The rules above apply inside the Village of Brownsville. For land outside village limits, see the Dodge County page, because the county's land use permits and shoreland rules apply to unincorporated land rather than to village lots24.

Before buying, check three things with the offices above: the zoning district and sewer status of the lot, whether the lot touches a floodplain or conservancy area (we could not confirm the village's floodplain rules), and the building permit fees. Dodge County's effective property tax rate is 1.6% and the median tax bill is $3,395 per year2526. A driveway onto a state highway needs a permit from WisDOT27.

Watch-outs

  • The village's septic, well, RV, tiny home, accessory dwelling and minimum home size rules are unconfirmed; ask the Clerk-Treasurer at18 before you commit to a lot.
  • The zoning code text we reviewed is a 2001 recodification, so confirm with the Clerk-Treasurer that no later amendment changes the district rules1.
  • Completion deposit: a $400.00 deposit applies to projects costing $50,000.00 or more and is forfeited if the building is occupied before final inspection7.
  • A temporary occupancy permit of 30 days or a specified term may be issued for minor non-compliance7.

Sources

  1. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Village of Brownsville Chapter 15 Building and Construction (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Village of Brownsville Building Inspector (SAFEbuilt) (brownsvillewi.com)
  4. Dodge County Land Resources and Parks Department - Septic Systems (co.dodge.wi.gov)
  5. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  6. One- & Two-Family (Uniform Dwelling Code) (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Village of Brownsville Chapter 15 Building and Construction (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  8. Village of Brownsville Chapter 13 Sewers and Water (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Dodge County Land Resources & Parks - Permitting FAQ (2026 county census)
  11. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  12. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  13. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  15. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Village of Brownsville Chapter 18 Zoning Code (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  17. Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Village of Brownsville Clerk-Treasurer (brownsvillewi.com)
  19. Village of Brownsville Chapter 15 Building and Construction (Village of Brownsville), quoted and re-checked
  20. Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 302.34 (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Wisconsin Maintenance Program (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 320.09 (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Dodge County Land Resources & Parks - Permitting FAQ (2026 county census)
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  27. State highway connection permits (driveways & more) (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Brownsville

Village of Brownsville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction inside Brownsville village limits, administered by the village building inspector (SafeBuilt).

    • Only the Chapter 15 table-of-contents heading '15.05 permit required' was read; the body of section 15.05 and its exemptions were not opened.
    • Building inspection/permitting is provided by SafeBuilt for the village per the building-inspector page; new single-home permits must also be filed through the state online system per that page.
    “no owner or contractor may commence construction of any building or mechanical system prior to obtaining a valid permit from the municipal building inspector.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Brownsville village limits.

    • Adopted chapters include SPS 316 electrical, SPS 320-325 uniform dwelling code, SPS 360-366 commercial building code, SPS 380-387 uniform plumbing code, and others listed in 15.06(1).
    • Section 15.06(2) repeals any local building codes other than those adopted.
    “the following chapters of the wisconsin administrative code, as well as all subsequent revisions, are adopted by the village and shall be enforced by the building inspector”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Brownsville village limits.

    • Inspections are completed before an occupancy permit issues (section 15.13).
    • The building inspector may issue a temporary occupancy permit for 30 days or a specified term for minor non-compliance.
    “if the building inspector after completing all required inspections, finds that a building has been constructed in accordance with the applicable codes, then the inspector shall issue an occupancy permit.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of any building inside Brownsville village limits; the village calls this an occupancy permit.

    • Issued by the building inspector after required inspections show code compliance.
    • A temporary occupancy permit for 30 days or a specified term may be issued for minor non-compliance that does not threaten safety, health or welfare.
    • Completion deposit of $400.00 applies to projects of $50,000.00 or more and is forfeited if occupancy occurs before final inspection (section 15.12).

    temporary occupancy permit term: 30 days (or a specified term) · completion deposit: 400 USD (projects with total cost of $50,000.00 or more)

    “no person may have occupancy of a building until an occupancy permit is issued.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Brownsville village limits; the village adopts and administers its own zoning code (Chapter 18).

    • The chapter cites Wis. Stats. 61.35 and 62.23(7) as its authority.
    • The code text shown is a 2001 recodification; no later amendment date was verified.
    “these regulations are adopted under the authority granted by §§61.35 and 62.23(7), wis. stats. therefore, the village board of brownsville, wisconsin, do ordain as follows”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Brownsville village limits.

    • Section 18.03 lists R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, I, A-G and C-O districts; the zoning map link on the building-inspector page was not opened.
    “for purposes of this chapter, the following primary use districts are hereby established within the village of brownsville: (1) r-1 residential district (2) r-2 residential district (3) r-3 residential district (4) c-1 central commercial district (5) c-2 highway comniercial district (6) i industrial district (7) a-g agricultural district (8) c-o conservancy district”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    A-G agricultural district, Brownsville village.

    • Lot width minimum is 150 feet.

    minimum lot area: >= 1 acre · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet

    “(2) lot size regulations. (a) minimum area: 1 acre (b) minimum width: 150 feet”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — R-1 residential district (single-family), Brownsville village, for lots served by public sewer.
      “except as otherwise specifically required or permitted the minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet and the minimum lot width one hundred (100) feet at the building line and one hundred (100) feet at the water's edge.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — R-1 residential district (single-family), Brownsville village, for lots not served by public sewer.
      “except as otherwise specifically required or permitted the minimum lot area shall be 20,000 square feet and the minimum lot width one hundred (100) feet at the building line and one hundred (100) feet at the water's edge unless percolation rates require larger lot areas and widths pursuant to sections h 65. 03 and h 65.04 of the wisconsin administrative code respectively.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 residential district (single-family), Brownsville village.

    • Side yards depend on sewer service: 10 feet each side with 25 feet aggregate where not served by public sewer; 8 feet each side with 20 feet aggregate where served by public sewer (section 18.02(6)).

    minimum front yard: >= 25 feet · minimum rear yard: >= 25 feet · minimum side yard (no public sewer): >= 10 feet (aggregate 25 feet) · minimum side yard (public sewer): >= 8 feet (aggregate 20 feet)

    “(4) yard and setback regulations. (a) minimum front yard: 25 feet (b) minimum side yard: see sec. 18.02(6). (c) minimum rear yard: 25 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — A-G agricultural district, Brownsville village.
      “(4) yard and setback regulations. (a) minimum front yard: 50 feet (b) minimum side yard: 30 feet (c) minimum rear yard: 30 feet”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 residential district (single-family), Brownsville village.

    • Height is measured per section 18.015(4) (mean finished grade along the street yard face to roof level).

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet

    “(3) height regulations. maximum height: 35 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New connections to the Brownsville village sanitary sewer inside village limits (Category A users within corporate limits).

    • New sewer connections are allowed only where downstream capacity is available (section 13.13(13)).
    • A written permit from the approving authority is required before any connection to the sanitary sewer (section 13.19(1)).
    • No mandatory-connection distance rule was located in the pages read; water connection requirements were not verified.
    “new connections to the village of brownsville sanitary sewer system will be allowed only if there is available capacity in all of the downstream wastewater collection and treatment facilities.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit application process inside Brownsville village limits.

    • Completed applications go to the village clerk's office; new single-home construction uses the state Wisconsin Uniform Building Permit application and must also be filed online (per the building-inspector page).
    • The building-inspector page says to contact the building inspector for new homes instead of the standard form.
    “completed applications should be returned to the village clerk's office at 871 main st., brownsville.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Brownsville or Dodge County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Brownsville village limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area inside Brownsville village limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits inside Brownsville village limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Brownsville village limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Brownsville village limits.
14 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Brownsville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Dodge County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Dodge County: county rules, score and offices