Zoning

Walworth County administers two zoning codes within unincorporated Walworth County.  Both codes reside in Chapter 74 of the Walworth County Code of Ordinances. The County's General Zoning Code applies to all lands within unincorporated Walworth County except for in the Town of Bloomfield.  The County's Shoreland Zoning Code applies to all unincorporated lands within 1000 feet of a lake, pond or flowage or 300 feet from a river or stream OR the landward edge of the 100  year flood elevation- whichever is greater.  

The Cities of Elkhorn, Fontana, and Williams Bay have also adopted "Extraterritorial Zoning" (ETZ).  This zoning classification gives zoning regulation jurisdiction over lands in unincorporated Walworth County to these communities.  The boundaries of the ETZ areas are depicted on the County's zoning map with red hash lines.  In these areas, Walworth County does not have jurisdiction for zoning.

Implementation of the Zoning Code is primarily managed by the Code Enforcement Officers employed by LURM.  A map showing the duty assignments by township can be found here. 

Related County Ordinances

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Applications and Information

Application Forms

  1. Zoning Fees (PDF)
  2. Waterfront Zoning Permit (PDF)
  3. Impervious Surface Worksheet (PDF)
  4. Zoning Permit (PDF)
  5. Commercial Zoning Permit (PDF)
  6. Sign Permit (PDF)
  7. Mobile Tower Permit (PDF)
  8. Lot Line Adjustment (PDF)
  9. Parcel Split (PDF)
  10. Farm Separation (PDF)
  11. Vegetation Removal Application (PDF)
  12. Vegetation Removal Packet (PDF)
  13. Tree Cutting Exemption (PDF)
  14. Board of Adjustment - Variance Application (PDF)
  15. Board of Adjustment - Appeal Petition (PDF)
  16. Board of Adjustment - Special Exception Request - ADA (PDF)
  17. Board of Adjustment - Special Exception Request - Substandard (PDF)
  18. Board of Adjustment - Substitution Petition (PDF)
  19. Board of Adjustment - Temporary Use Request (PDF)
  20. Minor Home Occupation (PDF)
  21. Navigability OHWM Request (PDF)
  22. Shoreyard Mitigation (PDF)
  23. Temporary Living Quarters (PDF)
  24. Waiver of Foundation Survey (PDF)
  25. Wetland Delineation Request (PDF)

Information

  1. Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (PDF)
  2. Code Enforcement Officer Jurisdiction Map (PDF)
  3. Complaint Form (PDF)
  4. Fence Regulations (PDF)
  5. Home Building FAQ (PDF)
  6. Open Records Request (PDF)
  7. Sample Scaled Plot Plan (PDF)
  8. Shoreland Zoning Guide (PDF)
  9. Town Building Inspectors (PDF)
  10. Waterfront Contacts (PDF)
  11. Zoning Districts Summary (PDF)
  12. Zoning Information Request (PDF)