Residential Permits

Permits & Procedures

When

A zoning permit is required when a structure or part thereof is located, erected, moved, reconstructed, extended, enlarged, converted or structurally altered within the unincorporated towns of Brighton, Paris, Randall, Somers and Wheatland or within the Village of Somers.

New structures and additions to such structures requiring a zoning permit include:

• Principal structures including but not limited to single-family residential buildings, multi-family residential buildings and commercial, industrial and institutional buildings
• Accessory structures including but not limited to agricultural buildings, storage buildings, detached garages and boat houses and sheds, gazebos and pool houses over 150 square feet in area
• Balconies
• Decks
• Fences (non-agricultural)
• Signage
• Steps, stairs (entry) and landings to a residence with a greater than 4 feet by 6 feet landing - as these are considered recreational deck structures
• Any swimming pool including hot tubs, jacuzzis and spas as well as any related safety fencing. A swimming pool is defined as any structure, portable or permanent, with the ability to contain a body of water 18 inches or more in depth, intended for recreational purposes, including a wading pool, but not including an ornamental reflecting pool or fish pond or similar type pool.

Structures not requiring a zoning permit include:

• Farm buildings and structures which are not for human habitation and which are not permanently fixed to the ground and which are readily removable in their entirety, provided that street, sides, rear and shore yard setback requirements for that District are met.
• Satellite dish antennas in excess of two feet in diameter shall be at least five feet from a side or rear lot line. Satellite dish antennas in excess of two feet in diameter shall not be located in a street yard or shore yard.
• Sheds, gazebos and pool houses less than 150 square feet in area provided they meet the count and height maximum and required setbacks for the district in which they are located
• Steps, stairs (entry) and landings to a dwelling, (uncovered and non-enclosed) not to project more than 4 feet (landing not to exceed 4 feet by 6 feet) into the street yard or shore yard; no closer than three 3 feet to any side lot line and no closer than fifteen 15 feet to any rear lot line do not require a county zoning permit, however a local building permit may still be required.
• Handicap ramps to a residential dwelling subject to Section 12.18.7-2 of the Kenosha County General Zoning and Shoreland/Floodplain Zoning Ordinance
• On-site construction trailers subject to Section 12.18.7-2(c) of the Kenosha County General Zoning and Shoreland/Floodplain Zoning Ordinance
• Temporary Portable Storage Containers subject to Section 12.18.7-2 of the Kenosha County General Zoning and Shoreland/Floodplain Zoning Ordinance.
• Flagpoles subject to Section 12.14-3(d) & 12.18.8-1(a) of the Kenosha County General Zoning and Shoreland/Floodplain Zoning Ordinance
• Mailboxes
• Play equipment (except swimming pools and tennis courts)

*These lists are not all-inclusive. Some of the above structures may require a building permit from the local building inspector. Always check with your local building inspector.

Why

To verify that the placement of structures and the use of land are in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Kenosha County General Zoning and Shoreland / Floodplain Zoning Ordinance.

How

You must submit a complete Zoning Permit Application including a property survey/site plan (example) and submit the appropriate fee based upon the Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development Fee Schedule.