Bolthole Index

Pepin County, Wisconsin

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Pepin County, Wisconsin

70Index Score / 100
#35 of 72 in Wisconsin

All Pepin County towns require Uniform Dwelling Code building permits for new one- and two-family homes; inside a city or village, confirm the building-permit issuer locally.12 Pepin County has no general countywide zoning, but county sanitary, floodplain and shoreland controls remain countywide while local zoning varies by municipality.345 Pepin County issues septic permits and inspects private systems countywide.67

At a glance

Building permit
Required in every Pepin County town for new one- and two-family dwellings18
Zoning
No general countywide zoning; county overlays apply and local zoning varies by municipality395
Septic
Pepin County requires the sanitary permit and county staff inspect installations67
RV living
Pepin County has no countywide zoning rule on RVs; the five locally zoned townships, Durand, Pepin and Stockholm may, and septic or sewer is still required101112
Tiny home
No county zoning occupancy rule; a new dwelling still needs a UDC permit and local zoning may apply1314
Minimum home size
None under county zoning; locally zoned areas may set their own15
Owner-builder
An owner-occupant may apply without Dwelling Contractor Certification; permits still apply16
Private well
Advance state notice applies to a new non-high-capacity private well17

Who to call

Building permits

Pepin County Uniform Dwelling Code permit issuer

Uniform Dwelling Code permits for all Pepin County towns

715-556-0066

740 7th Avenue West, P.O. Box 39, Durand, WI 54736

Zoning

Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning Department

County zoning ordinances, land-use permits, sanitary permits and floodplain questions

715-672-8897

740 7th Ave West, Durand, WI 54736

Roads & driveways

Pepin County Highway Department

County driveway permit applications and county highway questions

715-285-5550

cbates@co.pepin.wi.us

N5585 County Road N, Arkansaw, WI 54721

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Pepin County, Wisconsin?

Yes. Every town in Pepin County requires a Uniform Dwelling Code building permit for a new one- or two-family home, and Wisconsin's statewide UDC covers these dwellings and specified additions and alterations.12 Construction may begin only after plans are approved and the building permit is issued and posted.18 Footing, foundation, rough-work, insulation and final building inspections are required for new covered dwellings; request them from the inspector identified on the UDC permit.19 A building permit does not replace a county septic permit, floodplain permit, shoreland approval or other parcel-specific land-use approval.20 Wisconsin's UDC allows occupancy after a final inspection with no major health or safety violations, and the dwelling's exterior must be finished within two years of the permit; some municipalities also issue occupancy permits21.

Who issues building permits in Pepin County, and how do you reach them?

Pepin County's checklist directs building-permit applicants in every town to the Uniform Dwelling Code permit issuer at 715-556-0066.22 Inside a city or village, ask that municipality who issues its UDC building permit; local enforcement arrangements may differ.2 Start with Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning at 715-672-8897 for county septic permits, county land-use controls and identification of the parcel's local zoning authority.23 A UDC application requires plans, contractor information, required data and fees, while county sanitary or land-use applications may require soil evaluations, site plans and supporting documents.24 The published county fee schedule includes land-use and sanitary permit fees, but the amount depends on the work.25

Does Pepin County have zoning?

Pepin County does not have a general countywide zoning ordinance, but county sanitary, floodplain and shoreland/wetland controls apply countywide; bluffland, highway-setback and other overlays apply only in specified locations.34 Five townships and the City of Durand and Villages of Pepin and Stockholm administer their own zoning.5 County highway setbacks in the Towns of Lima, Pepin and Stockholm measure 63 feet from a town-road centerline, 75 feet from a county-road centerline and 110 feet from a state-highway centerline.26 Shoreland setbacks also apply, with the exact line requiring parcel review.27 Bluffland controls in selected parts of the Towns of Pepin and Stockholm include height limits tied to location and approval type.28 Pepin County sets no countywide minimum dwelling size under its zoning; locally zoned areas may set their own dimensional requirements15. In bluffland areas under Chapter 19, a main building needs a side yard of at least 25 feet and an accessory building a side yard of 10 feet29.

How do septic permits work in Pepin County?

Pepin County requires a separate sanitary permit before a private sewage system is installed, replaced, repaired, reconnected or modified, except for minor repairs.6 A licensed plumber designs and installs the system from a certified soil test and obtains the sanitary permit.30 County staff inspect installations and reconnections, including specified final inspections before work is covered.731 Only 11.1% of mapped soils avoid a very-limited rating for a conventional drain field, so establish septic feasibility before fixing the homesite.32 Every Pepin County property used for human habitation must have a septic system or connect to public sewer, including addresses inside cities and villages.33

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Pepin County?

Pepin County has no countywide zoning ordinance, so the county itself sets no general zoning rule on living in an RV on private land in unincorporated Pepin County10. The same holds for tiny homes: the county applies no general zoning occupancy restriction, and a tiny home built as a new one- or two-family dwelling still needs a Uniform Dwelling Code building permit1314. That is not a free pass. Five townships and the City of Durand and Villages of Pepin and Stockholm run their own zoning, so ask the parcel's town, city or village before moving in11. County shoreland, floodplain, bluffland and sanitary rules can also apply13. Any property used for human habitation must have a septic system or connect to public sewer12. A chemical, composting, incinerating or other non-water-using toilet still requires a county sanitary permit, fee and recorded agreement34. We could not confirm a county rule on temporary camping on private land; ask Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning23.

Building a home in Pepin County: what are the steps?

  1. Give Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning the parcel location and proposed work so staff can identify county controls and the correct town, city or village zoning authority.235
  1. Confirm zoning approval and any county shoreland, floodplain, bluffland or highway-setback limits before fixing the site plan.435
  1. Complete the soil evaluation and have a licensed plumber obtain the county sanitary permit before a building or land-use permit is issued for a home using septic.625
  1. Apply to the correct UDC building-permit issuer with plans, contractor information, required data and fees.24
  1. An owner who occupies or will occupy the home may take out construction and erosion-control permits without Dwelling Contractor Certification, but all required permits and UDC rules remain.16
  1. Begin only after approval and issuance, then request each required building inspection.1836

What should you check before buying land in Pepin County?

Confirm the parcel's municipality, local zoning and county overlays before assuming a use or building location is allowed.59 Check septic feasibility early because only 11.1% of mapped soils avoid a very-limited rating for a conventional drain field.32 Shoreland and bluffland areas have specific lot dimensions, setbacks and other limits.373827 Every floodplain development, including fill, needs a county permit.39 Pepin County also regulates qualifying land divisions under Chapter 18.40 A new private well requires a Wisconsin DNR notification number before construction; county well-permit requirements were not established.17 Ask the Highway Department about county-road access, while a state-highway connection requires a WisDOT driveway permit.4142

Watch-outs

  • No general countywide zoning does not mean no land-use rules: county sanitary, floodplain and shoreland controls apply countywide, and locally administered zoning may also control the parcel.345
  • Pepin County requires a floodplain permit for all development in the floodplain, including placement of fill.43
  • Pepin County sets no countywide rule on RV living, tiny homes or minimum home size, but township, city and village zoning in the locally zoned areas, county sanitary rules and the septic-or-sewer requirement still apply; ask the parcel's town, city or village before buying101112.

Sources

  1. Land Use Permit Application Checklist, quoted and re-checked
  2. Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code, quoted and re-checked
  3. Pepin County Land & Water Resource Management Plan, quoted and re-checked
  4. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  5. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 15 - Sanitary Code, quoted and re-checked
  7. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  8. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  9. Pepin County Land & Water Resource Management Plan, quoted and re-checked
  10. Pepin County Land & Water Resource Management Plan 2021-2030, quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  12. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  13. Pepin County Land & Water Resource Management Plan 2021-2030, quoted and re-checked
  14. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  15. Pepin County Land & Water Resource Management Plan 2021-2030, quoted and re-checked
  16. Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code, quoted and re-checked
  17. Water Overview - Wisconsin DNR, quoted and re-checked
  18. Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code, quoted and re-checked
  19. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  20. Land Use Permit Application Checklist (2026 county census)
  21. Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Pepin County Uniform Dwelling Code permit issuer (co.pepin.wi.us)
  23. Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning Department (co.pepin.wi.us)
  24. Land Conservation and Planning Land Use Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  25. Pepin County 2024-2025 Proceedings, quoted and re-checked
  26. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  27. Amendment 139 to Ordinance 179, Chapter 16 Shoreland Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  28. Bluffland Checklist, quoted and re-checked
  29. Chapter 19 - Mississippi River Bluffland Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  30. Zoning - Pepin County, WI (2026 county census)
  31. Pepin County Sanitary Code, quoted and re-checked
  32. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  34. Chapter 15 - Sanitary Code, quoted and re-checked
  35. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  36. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  37. Amendment 139 to Ordinance 179, Chapter 16 Shoreland Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  38. Chapter 19 - Mississippi River Bluffland Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  39. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  40. Chapter 18 - Subdivision and Platting, quoted and re-checked
  41. Pepin County Highway Department (co.pepin.wi.us)
  42. State highway connection permits (driveways & more) (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  43. Zoning - Pepin County, WI, quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 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.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike all 6 of its neighbors, Pepin County has no countywide zoning.

RulePepin CountyPierce CountyBuffalo CountyDunn CountyTrempealeau CountySt. Croix CountyEau Claire County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningNoYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Land Conservation & Planning Dept.County Land ManagementCounty Land ManagementCounty Env. ServicesCounty Dept. of Land ManagementCounty Community Development Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Pepin County in Wisconsin

70
County map
Pepin County highlighted among the Wisconsin counties · colored by Index score

How Pepin County scores

Seclusion52100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency66100% ev.
Admin Boringness44100% ev.
Durability67100% ev.
Property Autonomy70100% ev.
Carry Cost63100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$285kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$5,613Land / acre
34.8"Annual rain
6.9% of yrsSevere drought
2.3 / yr (+2.2)Mid-century 100°F days
14.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.75" (+10.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.74×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,358Home insurance / yr
4.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.82%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
18,105People within 30 min
4,129,581People within 2 hr
18,863Radius comparison (15 mi)
32.1People / sq mi
1.6%Federal land
63.2%Land at 15% slope or less
11.1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
15,015 acWorkable land screen
40.8%Wooded land
50.9 tonsBiomass / forest ac
45.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Pepin County

Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.

Town of Albany · Durand · Town of Durand · Town of Frankfort · Town of Lima · Town of Pepin · Village of Pepin · Town of Stockholm · Village of Stockholm · Town of Waterville · Town of Waubeek

Answers from the rulebook for Pepin County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Pepin County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    All towns in Pepin County for Uniform Dwelling Code permits

    • The checklist identifies Fred Weber as the issuer.
    • Other county or municipal land-use, sanitary, floodplain, shoreland, bluffland, and highway permits may also be required.
    “All Towns in Pepin County require Uniform Dwelling Code permits”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County-administered sanitary, floodplain, shoreland/wetland, bluffland, highway-setback, and Great River Road controls in applicable county areas.

    • The official county page states that sanitary, floodplain, and shoreland/wetland zoning are state-mandated and apply to the entire county.
    • Other county ordinances apply only in identified areas or towns; this is not a general countywide zoning ordinance for every land-use subject.
    “The sanitary code, floodplain zoning and shoreland/wetland zoning are state mandated regulations and apply to the entire county. Permit application forms can be found at the bottom of this webpage. Five of the townships in Pepin County have their own local zoning regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate of township and incorporated-municipality zoning within Pepin County.

    • Five townships have local zoning.
    • The City of Durand and Villages of Pepin and Stockholm have locally administered zoning.
    • The county page does not identify the county as administering those local ordinances.
    “Five of the townships in Pepin County have their own local zoning regulations. The City of Durand, Village of Pepin, and Village of Stockholm also have zoning which is administered locally.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Local zoning across Pepin County, aggregated across townships and incorporated municipalities.
      “Five of the townships in Pepin County have their own local zoning regulations. The City of Durand, Village of Pepin, and Village of Stockholm also have zoning which is administered locally.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Pepin County's mixed zoning framework.

    • There is no general countywide zoning map; districts and mapped controls exist for county-administered shoreland/wetland, floodplain, bluffland, highway setback, Great River Road, and other applicable overlays, while local zoning districts are administered by townships and incorporated municipalities.
    “The sanitary code, floodplain zoning and shoreland/wetland zoning are state mandated regulations and apply to the entire county.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    County general-zoning minimum dwelling size requirement for unincorporated Pepin County.

    • Pepin County does not administer a countywide general zoning ordinance.
    • Locally administered township and municipal zoning may impose separate dimensional requirements.
    • State UDC construction and inspection requirements still apply to new one- and two-family dwellings; this claim addresses county general zoning only.
    “Pepin County currently does not have County-wide Zoning.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in Pepin County shoreland areas.

    • Sewer-served and unsewered lots have different standards; beds of navigable waters are excluded from area and width calculations.

    sewered minimum lot area: 10000 sq ft · sewered minimum average lot width: 65 ft (at least 65 feet frontage at ordinary high water mark) · unsewered minimum lot area: 20000 sq ft · unsewered minimum average lot width: 100 ft (at least 100 feet frontage at ordinary high water mark)

    “For each lot served by public sanitary sewer the minimum lot area shall be 10,000 sq. ft. and the minimum average lot width shall be 65 feet with at least 65 feet of frontage width at the ordinary high water mark.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Bluffland areas in the Towns of Pepin and Stockholm identified by Chapter 19.
      “The minimum lot area shall be 5 acres and the minimum average lot width shall be 300' with at least 300' of frontage on the bluffline.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    County highway-setback controls in the Towns of Lima, Pepin, and Stockholm.

    • Town-road setback is 63 feet from the centerline.
    • County-road setback is 75 feet from the centerline.
    • State-highway setback is 110 feet from the centerline.
    • Structures are prohibited between the setback line and the roadway.
    • Other county or local setback rules may apply in other areas.

    town road setback: 63 feet from centerline · county road setback: 75 feet from centerline · state highway setback: 110 feet from centerline

    “The Highway Setback ordinance that is enforced in the Towns of Lima, Pepin, and Stockholm. Under the Highway Setback ordinance, a land use permit from the county is required before any structure is erected, moved, or structurally altered. The setback distances are determined by the type of roadway: 63 feet from the centerline of town roads, 75 feet from the centerline of county roads, and 110 feet from the centerline of a state highway. Structures are prohibited between the setback line and the roadway.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — County highway-setback districts in the Towns of Lima, Pepin, and Stockholm, plus applicable shoreland and sanitary setbacks
      “The setback distances are determined by the type of roadway: 63 feet from the centerline of town roads, 75 feet from the centerline of county roads, and 110 feet from the centerline of a state highway.”
    • Specified — Shoreland areas in Pepin County.
      “Setbacks within the shoreland area have been established to conform to health, safety, and welfare requirements, preserve natural beauty, reduce flood hazards, protect against water pollution, and otherwise limit the direct and cumulative impacts of shoreland development of the adjacent water body.”
    • Specified — Bluffland areas governed by Chapter 19.
      “There shall be a side yard for each main building. The minimum width of one side yard shall be 25'. Side yards for accessory buildings shall be 10'.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Structures in the Towns of Lima, Pepin, and Stockholm under Pepin County Chapter 21 highway setback controls; bluffland areas are also subject to special setbacks.
      “The setback distances are determined by the type of roadway: 63 feet from the centerline of town roads, 75 feet from the centerline of county roads, and 110 feet from the centerline of a state highway.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in the regulated bluffland areas of selected portions of the Towns of Pepin and Stockholm.

    • Bluffland permits are required only in select portions of the Towns of Pepin and Stockholm.
    • Areas beyond 500 feet of the bluffline, defined by the 30% slope, are not subject to these regulations.
    • The 25-foot limit applies when the structure is approved by conditional use.

    standard height restriction: <= 32 feet (Unless approved by conditional use) · conditional-use height limit: <= 25 feet (Applies when approved by conditional use)

    “Building plans noting height of structure (32 feet height restriction, unless approved by conditional use then limited to 25 feet)”
  • Living in an RVUnrestricted

    County general-zoning treatment of RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated Pepin County, outside separately regulated floodplain, shoreland, bluffland, highway-setback, sanitary, and locally zoned areas.

    • Pepin County has no county-wide zoning ordinance; township and municipal zoning may apply.
    • Pepin County separately administers shoreland/wetland, floodplain, highway setbacks, telecommunications, and sanitary codes in applicable areas.
    • The county zoning page states that five townships and the City of Durand, Village of Pepin, and Village of Stockholm administer local zoning.
    “Pepin County currently does not have County-wide Zoning.”
  • Tiny homesUnrestricted

    County general-zoning treatment of tiny-home occupancy on private land in unincorporated Pepin County.

    • Pepin County has no county-wide zoning ordinance, so the county has no general zoning occupancy restriction for tiny homes in unincorporated areas.
    • Township and municipal zoning may apply in the five locally zoned townships and incorporated municipalities identified by the county.
    • Shoreland/wetland, floodplain, bluffland, highway-setback, sanitary, and state building-code requirements may still apply.
    “Pepin County currently does not have County-wide Zoning.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Private onsite wastewater systems in Pepin County.

    • A licensed plumber designs and installs the system based on a certified soil test; county staff inspect installations and reconnections.
    “A plumber will design and install a septic system based on the results of your soil test and obtain a sanitary permit. More information about this process is available here. Property owners in Wisconsin cannot install their own septic system! Staff from the county are required to inspect the installation of septic systems and re-connections.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Properties used for human habitation or occupancy in Pepin County where a private septic system is used.

    • All properties used for human habitation or occupancy must either have a septic system or be connected to public sewer.
    • A certified soil test determines suitability.
    • A plumber obtains the sanitary permit.
    • The land-use checklist states sanitary permits are required before land-use permits are issued.
    “All properties in Pepin County that are used for human habitation or occupancy are required to either have a septic system or be connected to public sewer. Chapter 15 outlines the state laws that apply to properties that do not have access to public sewer.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Private sewage systems and non-plumbing sanitation systems in Pepin County
      “separate application and sanitary permit.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic-system installations and reconnections, plus recurring maintenance inspections in Pepin County.

    • County staff inspect installations and reconnections.
    • All septic systems must be maintained by the property owner.
    • The county sends reminder letters every 3 years for inspection and/or pumping.

    inspection reminder interval: per 3 years (inspection and/or pumping reminder)

    “required to inspect the installation of septic systems and re-connections.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Private onsite wastewater treatment systems and reconnections in Pepin County
      “Staff from the county are required to inspect the installation of septic systems and re-connections.”
    • Required — Private onsite wastewater treatment systems and non-plumbing sanitary systems in Pepin County.
      “All POWTS shall be inspected by the Department for compliance with SPS 382, 383, 384, and 391, Wis. Admin. Code and other appropriate Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Codes and this ordinance.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Non-plumbing sanitation systems, including privies and chemical, composting, or incinerating toilets.

    • A county sanitary permit is required.
    • Chemical, composting, or incinerating toilets require a recorded nonwater-using toilet agreement.
    • Privies may not be installed in the floodway and must comply with flood-fringe requirements.
    “Prior to utilization of a chemical, organic, or other nonwater-using toilet, a property owner shall obtain a county sanitary permit for the toilet and pay the applicable fee.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Non-plumbing sanitation systems in Pepin County
      “Prior to utilization of a chemical, organic, or other nonwater-using toilet, a property owner shall obtain a county sanitary permit for the toilet and pay the applicable fee.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Human habitation or occupancy in Pepin County.

    • A property must have either a septic system or connection to public sewer.
    • The cited county page does not require both water and sewer connections.
    “All properties in Pepin County that are used for human habitation or occupancy are required to either have a septic system or be connected to public sewer.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Human habitation or occupancy in Pepin County.
      “All properties in Pepin County that are used for human habitation or occupancy are required to either have a septic system or be connected to public sewer.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land divisions regulated by Pepin County Chapter 18.

    • Subdivision means five or more parcels of 1.5 acres or less created by division or successive divisions within five years. The chapter excludes transfers by will or court order, mortgages or easements, certain adjoining-owner transfers that create no additional lots, and qualifying assessors' plats. State plat standards also apply.

    subdivision threshold: 5 or more parcels of 1.5 acres or less within 5 years (subject to Chapter 18 exclusions)

    “Five or more parcels of 1.5 acres each or less in size created by a division or by successive divisions of a parcel within a period of 5 years by the owner or by subsequent owners.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    All development in Pepin County floodplain areas, including placement of fill.

    • Requirements may depend on the floodplain district.
    • Supporting evidence may be required to show structures can sustain flooding and do not increase flood risk or damage to nearby properties.
    “All development in the floodplain, including the placement of fill, requires a permit.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — All development in Pepin County floodplain-regulated areas.
      “All development in the floodplain, including the placement of fill, requires a permit.”
    • Required — Development in FEMA- or DNR-designated floodplain areas of Pepin County.
      “Floodplain land use permits are required”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Pepin County land-use, sanitary, fire-number, hearing, appeal, and amendment permits administered by the county.

    • The resolution rescinded Resolution No. 31-2019 effective January 1, 2025.
    • Land-use permit fees are not cumulative; the highest applicable fee is paid.
    • Permit fees are non-refundable.
    • A sanitary permit is required before a building or land-use permit for structures requiring a septic system, connection to an existing sanitary system, or alteration of flow or contaminant load.
    • The source presents some sanitary and hearing fees in paired amounts; the cited schedule is reproduced exactly and should be confirmed with the county for current application.

    highway setback land-use permit: 100 USD · sign permit: 50 USD · primary structure land-use permit: 200 USD · non-enclosed accessory structure land-use permit: 100 USD · grading/filling/paving activity permit: 100 USD · site inspection before permit: 50 USD · new address assignment: 75 USD · replacement fire-number sign: 25 USD

    “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following fees shall be assessed and collected by the appropriate office for the following: Land Use Permits Fees Highway Setback Ordinance Land Use Permits $100.00 Sign Permits $50.00”
  • Permit processPartial

    Pepin County land-use, sanitary, floodplain, shoreland, bluffland, driveway, and UDC-related permitting.

    • County and municipal authorities vary by location and permit type.
    • UDC applications require plans, contractor information, required data, and fees.
    • County sanitary and land-use applications may require soil/site evaluations, site plans, system plans, and supporting documents.
    “Regardless of which agency has authority, your application must include: 1. Permit application. This may be electronic or paper, depending on the agency. 2. Contractor license numbers and expiration dates. 3. Legible building plans with scale or dimensions.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Wisconsin rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner obtaining construction and erosion-control permits for a dwelling covered by the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.

    • The owner must occupy the home currently or will occupy it after completion.
    • The exemption permits the owner to take out the construction and erosion-control permits without the state-certified Dwelling Contractor and Dwelling Contractor Qualifier arrangement described for contractors.
    • The owner-occupancy statement must be checked on the permit application if the applicant does not possess Dwelling Contractor certification.
    • The source describes an owner-occupancy condition; it does not establish a general exemption for non-occupant owners.
    “The construction and erosion control permits must be taken out by a state-certified Dwelling Contractor, who also employs a state-certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier, or by the owner who occupies the home currently or will after completion.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner who currently occupies or will occupy a UDC-covered home after completion
      “The construction and erosion control permits must be taken out by a state-certified Dwelling Contractor, who also employs a state-certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier, or by the owner who occupies the home currently or will after completion.”
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner-occupant applying for a Wisconsin UDC erosion-control or construction permit for a dwelling in Pepin County.
      “I am or will be an owner-occupant of this dwelling”
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner-occupant applying for a Wisconsin UDC erosion-control or construction permit.
      “I vouch that I am or will be an owner-occupant of this dwelling for which I am applying for an erosion control or construction permit without a Dwelling Contractor Certification and have read the cautionary statement regarding contractor responsibility on the reverse side of the last ply of this form.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Public buildings, places of employment, and multifamily buildings subject to Wisconsin's commercial building code.

    • The Division of Industry Services reviews plans before construction for compliance with state statutes and building codes.
    • Local certified municipalities may provide plan review and inspection services for certain building types.
    • The Wisconsin Commercial Building Code adopted the 2021 ICC effective September 1, 2025; plans submitted November 1, 2025 or later must comply with the updated code.
    • Municipalities may have grandfathered fire detection, prevention, and suppression ordinances under 2013 Act 270.

    2021 ICC adoption date: September 1, 2025 (The deadline for building plan compliance was delayed.) · updated-code plan-submission deadline: November 1, 2025 (Plans submitted on or after this date must comply with the updated Commercial Building Code.)

    “2013 Act 270 establishes a uniform commercial building code in Wisconsin while allowing municipalities to grandfather fire detection, prevention, and suppression ordinances”
    5 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New one- and two-family dwellings in Wisconsin, including Pepin County
      “The statewide code for new homes in Wisconsin is the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), SPS 320-325 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and its adopted references. It is a uniform building code that applies across the state.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New one- and two-family dwellings, including manufactured homes, in Wisconsin including Pepin County.
      “The program governing one- and two-family dwelling units (including manufactured homes) is also called the UDC program, referring to the Uniform Dwelling Code. Enforces construction standards and inspection procedures including evaluation of building materials.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New one- and two-family dwellings in Wisconsin built since June 1, 1980.
      “The Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) is the statewide building code for one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New Wisconsin one- and two-family dwelling construction, including stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations
      “A permit under the UDC is required for new one- and two-family dwelling units. This includes stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations.”
    • Adopted — Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code, chapters SPS 320-325, for new one- and two-family dwelling units, including stick-built, modular, and manufactured home installations.
      “SPS 320-325 Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), construction standard for 1-2 family dwelling units, applies uniformly statewide”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Each phase of construction of a one- or two-family dwelling governed by the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.

    • Inspections are called for before each phase is covered up.
    • The local inspector’s instructions apply.
    • The inspector has two business days after the inspection request and the work being ready to inspect before the work may be covered.
    • Inspections check compliance with the code and may also check compliance with approved plans.
    • The UDC is enforced by municipal or county building inspection departments or the Wisconsin Division of Industry Services.

    inspection response period: 2 business days (After the inspection request and the work is ready to inspect, before the work may be covered up.)

    “Call for inspections of each phase of construction prior to covering it up - check the local inspector’s instructions. The inspector has two business days after the date that you make the inspection request and the work is ready to inspect, before you may cover up the work. Inspectors will check for compliance with the code.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy of a dwelling governed by Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code after construction.

    • Occupancy follows a final inspection in which no major health or safety violations are found.
    • Some municipalities will issue occupancy permits; the state source does not state that every municipality must issue a certificate or occupancy permit.
    • The dwelling exterior must be completed within two years after permit issuance.

    exterior completion deadline: 2 years after permit issuance

    “Take occupancy after receiving a final inspection in which no major health or safety violations are found. (Some municipalities will issue occupancy permits.) Also, the dwelling’s exterior must be completed within two years after permit issuance.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Impervious-surface coverage in the statewide shoreland framework and the DNR county model ordinance for qualifying shoreland lots or parcels.

    • The general standard applies to construction, reconstruction, expansion, replacement, or relocation of impervious surfaces within 300 feet of the ordinary high-water mark on riparian lots and parcels entirely within 300 feet of the ordinary high-water mark.
    • The general standard is 15 percent.
    • A lot or parcel may exceed 15 percent but not exceed 30 percent with a permit and mitigation plan.
    • For highly developed shorelines, counties are not required to adopt the special standards; if adopted, residential coverage may exceed 30 percent but not exceed 40 percent with a mitigation plan.
    • Treated impervious surfaces and defined roadways and sidewalks may be excluded from calculation when the ordinance conditions are met.

    general impervious-surface limit: <= 15 percent of lot or parcel · maximum under general standard with mitigation: 30 percent of lot or parcel (permit and mitigation plan required) · highly developed shoreline residential maximum: 40 percent of lot or parcel (special standard adopted and mitigation plan required)

    “The percentage of impervious surface allowed on a lot or parcel described under section 11.2 and as calculated under section 11.3 shall not exceed 15%.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Occupancy of a manufactured home installed as a new one- or two-family dwelling in Wisconsin.

    • The Uniform Dwelling Code applies to new one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980.
    • The UDC includes manufactured homes and the installation of manufactured homes produced on or after April 1, 2007.
    • Occupancy follows a final inspection in which no major health or safety violations are found.
    • Some municipalities issue occupancy permits.
    • The dwelling exterior must be completed within two years after permit issuance.
    • Local sanitary requirements may require certain plumbing systems.
    • Local zoning and land-use requirements may also apply.

    UDC coverage start date: >= 1980-06-01 date (The cited coverage is for new one- and two-family dwellings and their additions and alterations.) · manufactured-home installation coverage start date: >= 2007-04-01 date · exterior completion deadline: <= 2 years after permit issuance

    “The installation of manufactured homes produced on or after April 1, 2007.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction of a private well in Wisconsin, including Pepin County.

    • A DNR notification number is required before construction.
    • A well construction report must be submitted afterward.
    • The well must comply with the state private well code.
    • Most construction must be performed by licensed well drillers and pump installers.
    • Wells with combined capability of 70 or more gallons per minute are high-capacity systems subject to additional regulations.
    • Pepin County well-permit requirements were not established by the county sources reviewed.

    high-capacity threshold: >= 70 gallons per minute (Additional regulations apply)

    “If you are constructing a private well on your property, you are required to obtain a notification number from the DNR prior to construction and a well construction report must be submitted afterwards.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction of private wells statewide in Wisconsin.
      “Wisconsin law requires that a property owner provide advance notice to DNR before construction of any new private well that is not a high capacity well, and advance notice of any heat exchange drillhole construction (geothermal system) that does not require a written DNR approval.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Wisconsin farmland preservation zoning districts and farmland preservation agreements; these are conditional agricultural-use protections and tax-credit frameworks, not a blanket exemption from local land-use or land-division ordinances.

    • Certified farmland preservation zoning districts limit land uses to agriculture and other compatible uses.
    • Local ordinances are crafted locally and must meet or be more restrictive than Chapter 91 standards.
    • A farmland preservation agreement requires land to remain in agricultural use for 10 years and comply with state soil and water conservation standards.
    • Agreement eligibility requires ownership of the farmland, location in a designated Agricultural Enterprise Area, at least $6,000 gross farm revenue during the last year or $18,000 during the last three years, and compliance with applicable conservation standards.
    • A certificate of compliance from the county land conservation committee is required to show compliance.
    • Other local zoning and land-division ordinances continue to apply.
    • A covered agreement provides exemption from special assessments for sanitary sewer or water imposed by specified local governmental entities.
    • Releases before expiration require written consent, a DATCP finding that agricultural use of other protected farmland will not be impaired, and payment of the specified conversion fee.

    farmland preservation agreement term: 10 years (agreements effective before December 8, 2023, were minimum 15-year agreements) · minimum gross farm revenue during last year: >= 6000 USD (alternative test of $18,000 during the last three years) · minimum gross farm revenue during last three years: >= 18000 USD (alternative to the $6,000 last-year test) · tax credit: $10.00 per acre or $12.50 per acre if also in a certified farmland preservation zoning district (other eligibility requirements apply)

    “Remember that other local ordinances (such as zoning and land division ordinances) continue to apply to your land, regardless of whether you sign an agreement.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    A new or altered driveway or other connection to a state trunk highway and work in state highway right-of-way.

    • WisDOT issues permits on state highways under its jurisdiction; county highways and municipal roads may be subject to county or municipal permitting instead.
    • The number of driveways serving a single state-trunk-highway frontage must be the minimum deemed necessary for reasonable service without undue impairment of safety, convenience, and utility.
    • A controlled-access designation or other access restriction may require a different application or prevent the connection.
    • A residential connection may be limited to 24 feet wide and a commercial connection to 35 feet wide at the right-of-way line.

    residential connection maximum width: 24 feet at right-of-way line · commercial connection maximum width: 35 feet at right-of-way line

    “So, a permit is required from WisDOT before you construct a new connection to your property. [...] Why can my connection only be 24 feet wide (residential) or 35 feet wide (commercial)? [...] These distances are measured at the right-of-way line.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Driveways and other connections between property abutting Wisconsin state highway right-of-way and the state highway.
      “For state highways, WisDOT requires a connection permit.”
    • Limited — Multiple driveway connections serving one property frontage along a Wisconsin state trunk highway.
      “The number of driveways permitted serving a single property frontage along a state trunk highway shall be the minimum deemed necessary by the department for reasonable service to the property without undue impairment of safety, convenience, and utility of the highway.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Lodging rented to tourists or transients for short periods in Wisconsin, including homes, condos, cabins, cottages, and similar lodging facilities.

    • A DATCP lodging permit is required for all lodging facilities in Wisconsin.
    • A tourist or transient must be away from the person's permanent address.
    • The reviewed source does not establish local zoning or municipal operating restrictions.
    “If lodging is rented to a tourist or transient, it will require a permit.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Recreational trailers, pickup truck campers, and motor homes occupying campsites in Wisconsin State Park System family campgrounds.

    • Camping reservations are required before setting up on any site.
    • A campsite may contain no more than one recreation trailer, pickup truck camper, or motor home.
    • No person may camp or leave a camping unit in a family campground for more than 14 days in any 21 days.
    • Pickup campers or motor homes pulling a trailer are treated as a single unit.

    maximum camping-unit occupancy per campsite: 1 recreation trailer, pickup truck camper, or motor home (Pickup campers or motor homes pulling a trailer are treated as a single unit.) · maximum stay: 14 days in any 21 days

    “A campsite may be occupied by no more than one recreation trailer, pickup truck camper or motor home. Pickup campers or motor homes pulling a trailer are treated as a single unit. [...] No one may camp or leave a camping unit in a family campground for more than 14 days in any 21 days.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy of recreational vehicles, including recreation trailers, pickup truck campers, motor homes, camper vans, and truck campers, at Wisconsin State Park System campsites.
      “A campsite may be occupied by no more than one recreation trailer, pickup truck camper or motor home. Pickup campers or motor homes pulling a trailer are treated as a single unit.”
    • Limited — Temporary camping at Wisconsin State Park System properties.
      “Camping reservations are required and can be made up to 11 months in advance of your planned date of occupancy. Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site.”
    • Limited — Temporary camping in Wisconsin State Park System family campgrounds.
      “Camping reservations are required and can be made up to 11 months in advance of your planned date of occupancy. Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site. [...] No one may camp or leave a camping unit in a family campground for more than 14 days in any 21 days. [...] Not all properties offer camping during non-summer months. Camping seasons vary by property.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Wisconsin counties may enact and amend county zoning ordinances under Wis. Stat. § 59.69 for participating towns, which are generally unincorporated areas.

    • County zoning applies only in towns that have adopted county zoning.
    • After a comprehensive revision of the county zoning ordinance, the town has authority to decide whether county zoning applies in the town.
    • Towns have authority to approve or disapprove amendments to a county zoning ordinance.
    • A town that does not fall under county zoning may be unzoned or may have its own town zoning ordinance.
    “Counties exercise zoning ordinances under s. 59.69, Wis. Stats. County zoning only applies in towns that have adopted county zoning.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Wisconsin county authority to administer construction and inspection of new one- and two-family dwellings, including in unincorporated areas, through the UDC delegation and inspection framework.

    • Counties must have delegated authority to exercise UDC jurisdiction.
    • A county with delegated authority has jurisdiction over new one- and two-family dwellings in cities, villages, and towns that do not have their own delegated authority.
    • The DSPS page directs applicants to the municipality when it has delegated authority and otherwise to DSPS or the appointed county inspector.
    • The authority described is for construction and inspection under the statewide UDC; local zoning, land-use, sanitary, floodplain, and other requirements may still apply.

    covered construction: new one- and two-family dwellings (Jurisdiction depends on DSPS delegation and whether the municipality has its own delegated authority.)

    “Counties: Counties with delegated authority have been authorized jurisdiction over the construction and inspection of new one- and two-family dwellings in cities, villages, and towns which do not have their own delegated authority.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • General — County authority to enforce the statewide Uniform Dwelling Code and administer building inspection and permitting for new one- and two-family dwellings in Wisconsin, including unincorporated areas where the county is the responsible inspection authority.
      “The UDC is primarily enforced by municipal or county building inspectors who must be state-certified. In lieu of local enforcement, municipalities have the option to have the state provide enforcement for just new homes.”
    • Limited — County enforcement of Wisconsin’s Uniform Dwelling Code for new one- and two-family dwellings in municipalities, including towns, that do not have their own delegated authority
      “Counties: Counties with delegated authority have been authorized jurisdiction over the construction and inspection of new one- and two-family dwellings in cities, villages, and towns which do not have their own delegated authority.”

Set by your township or city, not the county

In Wisconsin, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Pepin County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your township or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.

  • Camping on your land
  • Accessory dwellings

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.

Living off-grid in Pepin County, Wisconsin

Is Pepin County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Pepin County scores 70/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop and mixed durability signals.

Do you need a building permit in Pepin County, Wisconsin?

Pepin County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning Department (POWTS/sanitary permits under WI DSPS). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Pepin County, Wisconsin?

Land in Pepin County runs about $5,613 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pepin County?

Pepin County gets about 34.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.9% of years.

How remote is Pepin County?

A representative private-land location has about 18,105 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,129,581 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Pepin compares in Wisconsin

Compare side-by-side →See all 72 Wisconsin counties ranked →