ZONING Information:

Zoning Permits vs. Building Permit: What's the Difference?

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Zoning permits are in reference to the land-- how the geographical features, setbacks, easements, etc. affect placement of a structure and how the intended use of that property (land) fits within the community.    

Building permits refer to the actual construction of the structure and the codes relevant to building. The use of the structure is relevant  as far as determining what building code the structure’s construction will follow— the WI Commercial Building Code or The Uniform Dwelling Code but the use of the land/property refers only to the zoning code.. 

Zoning code definitions/terminology and building code definitions/terminology are not interchangeable.  Even common words like  ”dwelling,” “residential,” “ commercial,”  may be defined differently under each.  This means that the zoning department may define your project as a residential accessory use but the building inspector’s office may define that structure as being a commercial structure that requires it to be built to the commercial building code.

It is the applicants' responsibility to secure any needed zoning (or any other local, state or federal permits)  before applying for a building permit. 

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