Bolthole Index

Pierce County, Wisconsin

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

68Index Score / 100
#42 of 72 in Wisconsin

Unincorporated Pierce County, Wisconsin requires a county land-use permit from Land Management / Zoning for most structures at least 6 inches above ground.1 County zoning covers every unincorporated area except the Town of River Falls, which has its own ordinance; inside the City of Prescott, the city issues building permits.23 A new home also needs a Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code permit and inspections, and septic permits for the county come from Land Management / Zoning.45

At a glance

Land-use permit
Required in unincorporated areas for structures 6 inches or more above ground; movable structures under 100 square feet are exempt but must meet setbacks1
Residential building code
Wisconsin UDC permit and inspections for new one- and two-family homes, including manufactured-home installations67
Zoning
County ordinance covers unincorporated areas except the Town of River Falls2
Septic
County sanitary permit required before a new dwelling is permitted5
Owner-builder
An owner who occupies or will occupy the home can take out the UDC permit; other required permits still apply8
Minimum home size
550 square feet for manufactured homes in manufactured-home parks; no general minimum confirmed9
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask Land Management / Zoning before relying on occupancy10
Private well
Advance Wisconsin DNR notification for a new non-high-capacity well11

Who to call

Zoning

Pierce County Land Management / Zoning

County land-use and sanitary permits; administers zoning, floodplain, shoreland, wetland, subdivision and St. Croix Riverway ordinances

715.273.6746

land.mgmt@co.pierce.wi.us

Basement Level Courthouse Room 10, 414 W. Main St., PO Box 647, Ellsworth, WI 54011

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 15, 2026.

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

Yes, in unincorporated Pierce County. Constructing, reconstructing, placing or altering a structure at least 6 inches above ground, including a temporary structure, requires a county land-use permit.1 An easily moved structure under 100 square feet is exempt from the permit but must still meet setbacks.1

A new one- or two-family home needs a second permit under the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, whether it is stick-built, modular or a manufactured-home installation.4 A municipality with delegated authority may issue it; otherwise the application goes to the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), with plans, contractor license information and an application fee.4 The county land-use permit and the UDC permit are separate approvals. An owner who lives, or will live, in the home may apply for the UDC permit as owner-occupant, but that does not waive other required permits or inspections.8

The county's permit steps stop at city limits. Inside Prescott, the city issues building permits for new buildings, additions and alterations.3

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

Pierce County Land Management / Zoning issues land-use and sanitary permits and administers the floodplain, shoreland, wetland, subdivision and St. Croix Riverway ordinances.12 The office is in the courthouse basement, Room 10, at 414 W. Main St. in Ellsworth; call 715.273.6746 or email land.mgmt@co.pierce.wi.us, and staff will tell you whether your location, use and size need a permit.12

Land-use applications go to the Zoning Administrator on county forms. They need owner and property information, proof of ownership, a plot plan, access and driveway information, and evidence of safe water and approved sewage disposal.13 The county does not accept an application until it is complete and the fees are paid; the fee is set by the Pierce County Board of Supervisors, and the county code does not state a dollar amount, so ask the office for the current schedule.14 A land-use permit generally expires after 12 months, with renewal possible once construction has started.13

For the UDC permit, notify the inspector named on the permit when work is ready for footings, foundation and reinforcement, rough work, insulation and the final inspection.7 That inspector may be municipal, county or state-authorized depending on delegation, and we could not confirm a single inspector for every parcel.15

Does Pierce County, Wisconsin have zoning?

Yes. The Pierce County zoning ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas except the Town of River Falls, which has its own ordinance, and shoreland regulations apply in every unincorporated area.2 The county code divides unincorporated land into zoning districts, and shoreland, floodplain, Riverway and subdivision rules can add further review.16 Incorporated municipalities such as Prescott can run their own rules inside their limits; septic permits stay with the county either way.1718

Minimum lot size for a new parcel depends on the town: 1 acre in towns such as Hartland, Martell and Trenton, 2 acres in El Paso, Gilman and Spring Lake, 2.5 acres in Ellsworth and Trimbelle, and 3 acres in Clifton and Oak Grove.19 Older lots may still qualify as building sites at 10,000 square feet without public sewer or 5,000 with it.19

In St. Croix Riverway areas, structures must sit 200 feet from the ordinary high-water mark and 100 feet from the bluff line.20 Elsewhere in shoreland areas, Wisconsin generally requires buildings to stay at least 75 feet from the ordinary high-water mark.21 We could not confirm ordinary setback distances, lot coverage or building height; Land Management / Zoning can give the figures for a parcel's district.22

The only minimum dwelling size we found is 550 square feet for manufactured homes in manufactured-home parks.9

How do septic permits work in Pierce County?

Pierce County Land Management / Zoning issues sanitary permits for septic.18 A sanitary permit is needed before permitting and construction of a new dwelling or principal structure, and also when a bathroom or running water is added to a new or existing accessory structure.5 The county will not issue a land-use permit for a structure people will occupy without documentation of safe and adequate water supply and sewage disposal, so septic design comes first.23

After a system is built, the county requires an inspection before backfilling; following notice from the plumber, the inspection must happen by the end of the next workday, excluding weekends and holidays.24 Wisconsin also requires a visual inspection of privately owned wastewater systems at least once every 3 years.25 Only 10.9% of mapped soils in Pierce County rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so make a soil evaluation an early purchase contingency and expect a possible engineered system.26

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

The county rule we found covers RVs only in approved campgrounds: one recreational vehicle per campsite, occupied no more than eight months in a calendar year, with wheels and tires left in transit position.10 We could not confirm a rule for full-time RV living or camping on a private homesite, or for tiny-home occupancy. Ask Pierce County Land Management / Zoning, and the town or city if the parcel is not in county-zoned territory, before buying or placing a unit.12

A small or temporary unit is not automatically permit-free: any structure at least 6 inches above ground needs a county land-use permit unless it is easily moved and under 100 square feet.1 A manufactured-home installation needs a UDC permit.4 A privy is allowed with a sanitary permit if it meets county construction, siting, servicing and venting rules.27

Building a home in Pierce County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm who zones the parcel: county zoning, the Town of River Falls, or an incorporated city.2
  2. Call Land Management / Zoning to confirm the district, lot size and any shoreland, floodplain or Riverway limits.1612
  3. Make sure the lot has access to a public road or a private road recorded with the Pierce County Register of Deeds.28
  4. Get the septic design and the county sanitary permit before dwelling permitting.5
  5. Submit the land-use application with a plot plan and proof of water and sewage disposal, and pay the fee.13
  6. Apply for the Wisconsin UDC permit through the delegated municipality or DSPS.4
  7. Call for the footing, foundation, rough, insulation and final inspections.7

What should you check before buying land in Pierce County?

Start with jurisdiction and district, then floodplain: development in floodplain zoning needs approvals from the county and the municipality with authority.29 Check the parcel against shoreland, Riverway and subdivision rules that can shrink the buildable area.16

Verify road access: no lot may be created or building placed on a lot without access to a public road or a recorded private road, and the owner is responsible for securing that access.28 A connection to a state highway requires a WisDOT permit.30 Treat septic suitability as a contingency because only 10.9% of mapped soils avoid severe conventional drain-field limits.26 For a new non-high-capacity private well, Wisconsin requires a Well Construction Notification Number before drilling.11

Watch-outs

  • The Town of River Falls and incorporated cities such as Prescott have their own rules, so the county's land-use permit and zoning answers apply only to the unincorporated areas the county zones.23
  • A land-use permit from the county does not replace the Wisconsin UDC permit, and a sanitary permit must come before dwelling permitting.45
  • A movable structure under 100 square feet needs no county permit but must still meet setbacks.1
  • We could not confirm rules for RV living on a private lot, tiny-home occupancy or ordinary setback distances; ask Land Management / Zoning.1012
  • Permit fees are set by the County Board and the code gives no amount, so ask the office for the current schedule.14

Sources

  1. Land Management / Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  2. Pierce County Land and Water Resource Management Plan 2021, quoted and re-checked
  3. Prescott: City of Prescott Code, Building Permits and Inspection (Pierce County), quoted and re-checked
  4. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  5. co.pierce.wi.us, quoted and re-checked
  6. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  7. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  8. Instructions for Submitting a UDC Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  9. Article IV: Particular Use Requirements - Pierce County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  10. Pierce County Land and Water Resource Management Plan, quoted and re-checked
  11. Well and heat exchange notification, quoted and re-checked
  12. Pierce County Land Management / Zoning (co.pierce.wi.us)
  13. Article XI: Permits, Certificates, Variances and Appeals - Pierce County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  14. Article XI: Permits, Certificates, Variances and Appeals - Pierce County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  15. UDC (Uniform Dwelling Code / One- and Two-Family Dwellings), quoted and re-checked
  16. Land Management / Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  17. Pierce County Land and Water Resource Management Plan 2021, quoted and re-checked
  18. Land Management / Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  19. Pierce County Zoning Districts Brochure, quoted and re-checked
  20. Land Management / Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  21. Wisconsin’s Shoreland Management Program (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Pierce County Land and Water Resource Management Plan 2021, quoted and re-checked
  23. Article XI: Permits, Certificates, Variances and Appeals - Pierce County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  24. Article II: Sewage Disposal Systems - Pierce County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  25. Wisconsin Maintenance Program (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. 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
  27. Article II: Sewage Disposal Systems - Pierce County, WI, quoted and re-checked
  28. ecode360.com, quoted and re-checked
  29. Land Management / Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  30. State highway connection permits (driveways & more) (Wisconsin statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 15, 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

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Pierce County requires a building permit for a home.

RulePierce CountyPepin CountySt. Croix CountyDunn CountyBuffalo CountyPolk CountyEau Claire County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesNoYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Land ManagementCounty Land Conservation & Planning Dept.County Community Development Dept.County Env. ServicesCounty Land ManagementCounty Env. Services Div.County Health Dept.

County locator

Pierce County in Wisconsin

68
County map
Pierce County highlighted among the Wisconsin counties · colored by Index score

How Pierce County scores

Seclusion45100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency66100% ev.
Admin Boringness44100% ev.
Durability71100% ev.
Property Autonomy70100% ev.
Carry Cost60100% 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 →

$373kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$5,863Land / acre
34.4"Annual rain
7.8% of yrsSevere drought
1.9 / yr (+1.8)Mid-century 100°F days
14.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.75" (+8.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.73×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,490Home insurance / yr
3.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.66%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
16,162People within 30 min
4,613,407People within 2 hr
55,304Radius comparison (15 mi)
75People / sq mi
0.4%Federal land
74.6%Land at 15% slope or less
10.9%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
38,593 acWorkable land screen
32.9%Wooded land
37.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
44.4°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Pierce 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.

Not yet researched: Village of Bay City · Town of Clifton · Town of Diamond Bluff · Town of El Paso · Town of Ellsworth · Village of Ellsworth · Village of Elmwood · Town of Gilman · Town of Hartland · Town of Isabelle · Town of Maiden Rock · Village of Maiden Rock · Town of Martell · Town of Oak Grove · Village of Plum City · River Falls · Town of River Falls · Town of Rock Elm · Town of Salem · Town of Spring Lake · Village of Spring Valley · Town of Trenton · Town of Trimbelle · Town of Union

Answers from the rulebook for Pierce County

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

Pierce County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, placement, or alteration of structures in Pierce County areas under county land-use jurisdiction.

    • A land-use permit is required for structures 6 inches or greater above ground, including temporary structures.
    • Easily moved structures under 100 square feet are exempt from permitting but must still meet setbacks.
    • A sanitary permit is needed before permitting and construction of a new dwelling or principal structure.

    minimum height above ground: >= 6 inches (Easily moved structures under 100 square feet are exempt from permitting but still need to meet setbacks.)

    “A land use permit from our office is required for the construction, re-construction, placement, and alteration of structures that are 6 inches or greater above the ground”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, reconstruction, placement, and alteration of structures in county-administered areas that are 6 inches or greater above ground, including dwellings and temporary structures.
      “A land use permit from our office is required”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Pierce County zoning in unincorporated areas.

    • The Town of River Falls has its own ordinance.
    • Shoreland regulations apply in all unincorporated areas.
    • Incorporated municipalities may have separate authority.
    “The zoning ordinance regulates the use of land and water in Pierce County. The ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas except for the Town of River Falls that has its own ordinance. Shoreland regulations apply in all unincorporated areas.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — County zoning in unincorporated Pierce County, except incorporated municipalities and any documented municipal exception.
      “the unincorporated areas of Pierce County”
    • Present (with conditions) — Pierce County zoning in unincorporated areas.
      “The ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas except for the Town of River Falls that has its own ordinance.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate of county and municipal/town zoning within Pierce County.

    • Pierce County zoning applies to unincorporated areas except the Town of River Falls.
    • The Town of River Falls has its own ordinance.
    • Other incorporated municipalities may administer their own local zoning.
    “The ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas except for the Town of River Falls that has its own ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate of Pierce County and subordinate town or municipal zoning: county zoning governs most unincorporated areas, while the Town of River Falls has its own ordinance and incorporated jurisdictions may administer their own zoning.
      “The ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas except for the Town of River Falls that has its own ordinance.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Pierce County Chapter 240 zoning districts and district maps in unincorporated areas.

    • The county plan states that Chapter 240 establishes zoning districts and provisions for district maps.
    • The exact dimensional requirements table and all district-specific values were not retrievable during this run.
    • The Town of River Falls has its own ordinance.
    “The ordinance establishes zoning districts, describes provisions for district maps and lists appropriate uses for each district.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Pierce County Chapter 240 zoning districts and maps in unincorporated areas.
      “The ordinance establishes zoning districts, describes provisions for district maps and lists appropriate uses for each district.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Manufactured homes located in manufactured-home parks governed by Pierce County zoning, outside the Town of River Falls.

    • The 550-square-foot minimum applies to manufactured homes in manufactured-home parks, not necessarily to every dwelling type.
    • Manufactured homes in parks must also comply with the other manufactured-home-park requirements in Chapter 240.
    • The Town of River Falls has its own zoning code and zoning authority; its local rules must be consulted instead of applying this county claim.

    minimum floor area: >= 550 square feet (Manufactured homes in manufactured home parks)

    “Manufactured homes in manufactured home parks shall contain at least 550 square feet of floor area.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    New parcels and lots in territory governed by Pierce County zoning, excluding the Town of River Falls where its own zoning code applies.

    • New lots must meet the minimum lot size excluding right-of-way and easements.
    • Minimum lot sizes vary by town and county zoning district.
    • The Town of River Falls did not adopt the Pierce County Zoning Code and administers its own zoning code; the county brochure lists River Falls as 2 acres and 1 acre in its extraterritorial zoning area, but the town's own code controls.
    • Lots created before the effective date of Chapter 240 may qualify as building sites under Section 240-24E if they meet the recording and other criteria; the county code states that minimum lot size for such lots is 10,000 square feet without public sewer and 5,000 square feet with public sewer.
    • The Town of Gilman has a two-acre minimum lot size notwithstanding the dimensional-requirements table.

    minimum lot size for county-listed towns: 1 acre (Diamond Bluff, Hartland, Isabelle, Maiden Rock, Martell, Rock Elm, Salem, Trenton, and Union) · minimum lot size for county-listed towns: 2 acres (El Paso, Gilman, and Spring Lake) · minimum lot size for county-listed towns: 2.5 acres (Ellsworth and Trimbelle) · minimum lot size for county-listed towns: 3 acres (Clifton and Oak Grove) · minimum lot size for existing lots without public sewer: 10000 square feet (Lots created before the effective date of Chapter 240 that qualify under Section 240-24E) · minimum lot size for existing lots with public sewer: 5000 square feet (Lots created before the effective date of Chapter 240 that qualify under Section 240-24E)

    “New parcels need a minimum lot size, excluding right-of-way & easements, as listed below:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots and building sites in applicable unincorporated Pierce County zoning districts.
      “Developments shall meet the minimum requirements for the applicable district shown in the Table of Dimensional Requirements. [...] Minimum lot size for lots created prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be 10,000 square feet for lots without public sewer and 5,000 square feet for lots with public sewer. [...] Notwithstanding the table at § 240-23, the minimum lot size in the Town of Gilman shall be two acres.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structures subject to Pierce County land-use permitting.

    • Easily moved structures under 100 square feet may be exempt from permitting but still must meet setbacks.
    • Specific ordinary setback distances were not established from the opened county page.
    • St. Croix Scenic Riverway areas have additional setbacks of 200 feet from the ordinary high-water mark and 100 feet from the bluff line.

    St. Croix Riverway ordinary high-water mark setback: 200 feet (Riverway district areas.) · St. Croix Riverway bluff-line setback: 100 feet (Riverway district areas.)

    “Structures must be set back 200 feet from the ordinary high-water mark and 100 feet from the bluff line.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Mobile recreational vehicle occupancy on individual campsites in approved campgrounds governed by Pierce County zoning in unincorporated areas, excluding the Town of River Falls.

    • The use must be in an approved campground.
    • No more than one mobile recreational vehicle is allowed on an individual campsite.
    • A camping unit may not be occupied for more than eight months in a calendar year, although it may remain on the campsite for the entire calendar year.
    • The wheels and tires must remain in an in-transit position.
    • Campgrounds require the applicable zoning approval and must satisfy campground requirements, including a minimum five-acre lot, maximum 15 campsites per acre, required setbacks, and wastewater requirements.

    maximum occupancy duration: <= 8 months per calendar year (The camping unit may remain on the campsite for the entire calendar year.) · mobile recreational vehicles per campsite: <= 1 vehicle

    “No more than one mobile recreational vehicle shall be allowed on any individual campsite. A camping unit shall not be occupied for more than eight months in a calendar year, although a camping unit may remain on an individual campsite for an entire calendar year. The wheels and tires shall remain in an in-transit position.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Private onsite wastewater and sanitary permitting administered in Pierce County.

    • The county zoning office issues sanitary permits.
    • State POWTS requirements may also apply.
    “The zoning office issues sanitary and land use permits along with administering land use ordinances”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New dwelling or principal structure and certain accessory-structure plumbing work.

    • A sanitary permit is needed before permitting and construction of a new dwelling or principal structure.
    • A sanitary permit is also needed when adding a bathroom or proposing running water inside a new or existing accessory structure.
    “A Sanitary permit is needed before the permitting and construction of a new dwelling/ principle structure.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New dwellings/principal structures and accessory structures receiving bathrooms or running water.
      “A Sanitary permit is needed before the permitting and construction of a new dwelling/ principle structure. It is also needed if you are adding a bathroom or proposing running water inside a new or existing accessory structure.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    All POWTS after construction in Pierce County.

    • Inspection occurs before backfilling.
    • Inspection must occur no later than the end of the next workday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after notice from the plumber.
    “The issuing agent shall inspect or cause the inspection of all POWTS after construction but before backfilling, no later than the end of the next workday, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, after receiving notice from the plumber in charge.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Privies and other approved non-public-sewer sewage-disposal methods in Pierce County.

    • All premises intended for human occupation must have an adequate functioning public sewer, privy, POWTS, or other approved method.
    • Privies require a sanitary permit and must comply with construction, siting, servicing, venting, floodplain, and abandonment requirements.
    • Composting and incinerating toilets are permitted in public parks and public recreational areas subject to state rules.
    “All premises intended for human occupation or occupancy shall be provided with an adequate, functioning public sewer, privy, POWTS, or other approved method of sewage disposal.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Human-occupancy structures requiring land-use approval in county-jurisdiction areas.

    • No land-use permit may be issued for human-occupancy uses or structures without documentation of safe and adequate water supply and sewage disposal.
    • The source does not establish that connection to public water or public sewer is always required.
    “No permit shall be issued for uses or structures involving human occupancy without documentation that provision has been made for safe and adequate water supply and disposal of sewage.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Divisions and combinations of land subject to Pierce County subdivision regulation.

    • The ordinance regulates lot dimensions and requires appropriate roads and access.
    • Erosion-control provisions in preliminary plats may be referred to the Land Conservation Department and Committee.
    “Pierce County’s subdivision ordinance regulates lot dimensions and requires appropriate roads and access for divisions and combinations of land.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Creation of lots and placement of buildings under Chapter 240.

    • Access may be to a public road or to a private road described and recorded in the Pierce County Register of Deeds Office.
    • The property owner is responsible for securing access.
    • Permit plot plans must identify proposed or existing road access points and driveways.
    “No lot shall hereafter be created nor any building placed on a lot which does not have an access to a public road or a private road which is described and recorded in the Pierce County Register of Deeds Office. The property owner shall be responsible for securing such access.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Land divisions and development requiring roads or access in Pierce County.
      “Pierce County’s subdivision ordinance regulates lot dimensions and requires appropriate roads and access for divisions and combinations of land.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development subject to Pierce County floodplain zoning.

    • The county zoning office administers floodplain ordinances.
    • Floodplain, zoning, and land-use approvals must be obtained from the county and municipality having authority.
    “Obtain floodplain, zoning and land use approvals from the county and municipality having authority.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Pierce County land-use permit applications in unincorporated Pierce County.

    • Every permit application must include a fee established by the Pierce County Board of Supervisors.
    • The application will not be accepted until it is complete as judged by the Zoning Administrator and all county-established fees are paid in full.
    • The code does not state a fixed dollar amount in the cited provision.
    • Applications must also provide evidence of safe and adequate water supply and approved sewage disposal facilities.

    fee: established by the Pierce County Board of Supervisors

    “Fee. All permit applications shall be accompanied by a fee established by the Pierce County Board of Supervisors. No application shall be accepted by the Zoning Administrator until complete as judged by the Zoning Administrator and until all fees established by Pierce County have been paid in full.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Pierce County land-use permitting under Chapter 240.

    • Applications go to the Zoning Administrator on county forms.
    • Applications require owner information, proof of ownership, parcel identification, an accurate plot plan, access and driveway information, and evidence of safe water and approved sewage disposal.
    • Applications must be complete and all fees must be paid before acceptance.
    • Permits for structures involving human occupancy require documentation of safe and adequate water supply and sewage disposal.
    • Construction permits expire after 12 months unless renewal conditions apply.

    initial construction permit expiration: 12 months (A twelve-month renewal may be issued if construction commenced before expiration; additional renewals require progress toward completion.)

    “An application for a land use permit shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator on forms furnished by the Pierce County Department of Land Management”
    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.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Construction and erosion-control permits for a dwelling occupied by the owner.
      “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) — Owner-occupants 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”
  • 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”
    7 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — New one- and two-family dwellings in Wisconsin, including Pierce County.
      “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 one- and two-family dwelling units, including manufactured home installations, statewide in Wisconsin.
      “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 (with conditions) — New one- and two-family dwelling units, including stick-built, modular, and manufactured-home installations in Wisconsin.
      “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, including manufactured-home installations, in Wisconsin and therefore Pierce 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.”
    • 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
    • Required — New one- and two-family dwellings under the Wisconsin UDC.
      “The following inspections are required on new one- and two-family dwellings. When ready for inspection, notify the inspector identified on your UDC permit.”
    • Required — New one- and two-family dwellings subject to the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.
      “The following inspections are required on new one- and two-family dwellings. When ready for inspection, notify the inspector identified on your UDC permit.”
    • Required — New one- and two-family dwellings, including manufactured homes.
      “The following inspections are required on new one- and two-family dwellings. When ready for inspection, notify the inspector identified on your UDC permit.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Occupancy of UDC-covered dwellings.
      “Take occupancy after receiving a final inspection in which no major health or safety violations are found. (Some municipalities will issue occupancy permits.)”
  • 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%.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures within 75 feet of the ordinary high water mark of navigable waters in Wisconsin shoreland zoning areas.

    • The DNR model ordinance identifies this as the NR 115.05(1)(f) height standard for county shoreland ordinances.
    • The prohibition does not extend beyond 75 feet from the ordinary high water mark under the stated standard.
    • Counties may regulate height beyond 75 feet through local ordinance.

    maximum structure height within 75 feet of ordinary high water mark: <= 35 feet (A structure taller than 35 feet is prohibited within the specified area.)

    “A structure taller than 35 feet within 75 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of any navigable waters is prohibited”
  • 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 permitLimited

    New private wells in Pierce County.

    • Advance notice to DNR and a Well Construction Notification Number are required before constructing a new private well that is not high capacity.
    • Exceptions include high-capacity wells, reconstruction of existing wells, and wells on Native American property.
    • A Well Construction Report must be submitted within 30 days after construction.
    • No Pierce County-specific well-permit requirement was established from the official sources reviewed.

    well construction notification fee: 50.5 USD (Heat exchange notification has no fee.) · well construction report deadline: 30 days (After well or drillhole construction.)

    “Obtain a Well Construction Notification Number prior to constructing a well. This applies to both drilled wells and driven point wells. For high capacity wells or other wells that require written DNR approval, follow the notification requirements in your approval.”
    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.”
  • 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 Pierce 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
  • Tiny homes
  • 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 Pierce County, Wisconsin

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

Pierce County scores 68/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Pierce County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Pierce County Land Management / Zoning (POWTS program 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 Pierce County, Wisconsin?

Land in Pierce County runs about $5,863 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pierce County?

Pierce County gets about 34.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.8% of years.

How remote is Pierce County?

A representative private-land location has about 16,162 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,613,407 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 Pierce compares in Wisconsin

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