Village of Black Earth fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Village of Black Earth? Yes. The Village of Black Earth requires a permit before you build a fence.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the Village of Black Earth (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Yes source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft (decorative or privacy); residential security fence 4 ft source
- Front (street) yard
- 4 ft (decorative or boundary fence; hedges 4 ft) source
- Corner lots
- No fence within the triangle measured 25 ft each way from where the finished road surfaces of perpendicular streets meet source
- Distance from lot line
- At least 3 ft from adjacent property for decorative, privacy, residential security and temporary fences and hedges (0 ft allowed if a licensed surveyor's survey of the line is given to the Village, the Building Inspector and the neighbors before the permit issues). Boundary fences may be at 0 ft from the street right-of-way line; hedges 3 ft from it. source
- Good side faces
- Finished or decorative side faces the adjoining property; the Building Inspector decides if unclear. source
- Not allowed
- Decorative fences may not be chain link or woven wire; privacy fences may not be chain link, woven wire or wrought iron; security fences only in rear yards. source
- How to apply
- Call 608-444-0372 source
Still being confirmed with Black Earth: Is the fence building permit applied for through Building Inspector Tracy Johnson, and what is the fee?
How to file for a fence permit in the Village of Black Earth
Steps based on zoneomics.com — Municipal code: chapter 3
- Apply for a building permit for your fence from the Village Building Inspector, Tracy Johnson (608-444-0372).
- Keep fences at least 3 ft from the neighboring property, or give the Village, the inspector and your neighbors a licensed survey of the line before the permit is issued to build on it.
- Face the finished side toward the neighbor and stay out of the 25 ft corner vision triangle.
- Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging.
Who to contact
Tracy Johnson
Building Inspector
- Phone
- 608-444-0372
Contact from blackearthwisconsin.com
Other rules to know
- Village Zoning § 310-13(J): a building permit is required to construct any fence, including hedges, except temporary fencing (temporary fences need a permit if up more than 45 days).
- Boundary fences should be open in style and raised at least 1 ft off grade so the lot can be mowed under them.
- Heights are measured from the adjacent property's grade.
- Fences must be maintained, kept safe and in good repair; fences existing when the rule took effect may stay.
- The ordinance defines walls and fences under 4 ft as 'minor structures' (§ 310-80).
Before you dig
Call Diggers Hotline at 811 (or file online at diggershotline.com) at least 3 business days before digging post holes. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the Village of Black Earth, WI?
Yes. The Village of Black Earth requires a permit before you build a fence. Village Zoning § 310-13(J): a building permit is required to construct any fence, including hedges, except temporary fencing (temporary fences need a permit if up more than 45 days).
How tall can a fence be in the Village of Black Earth?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (decorative or privacy); residential security fence 4 ft. Front (street) yard: 4 ft (decorative or boundary fence; hedges 4 ft). Corner lots: No fence within the triangle measured 25 ft each way from where the finished road surfaces of perpendicular streets meet.
How close to the property line can I put a fence in the Village of Black Earth?
At least 3 ft from adjacent property for decorative, privacy, residential security and temporary fences and hedges (0 ft allowed if a licensed surveyor's survey of the line is given to the Village, the Building Inspector and the neighbors before the permit issues). Boundary fences may be at 0 ft from the street right-of-way line; hedges 3 ft from it.
Which side of the fence has to face the neighbor in the Village of Black Earth?
Finished or decorative side faces the adjoining property; the Building Inspector decides if unclear.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Village of Black Earth?
Apply for a building permit for your fence from the Village Building Inspector, Tracy Johnson (608-444-0372). Keep fences at least 3 ft from the neighboring property, or give the Village, the inspector and your neighbors a licensed survey of the line before the permit is issued to build on it. Face the finished side toward the neighbor and stay out of the 25 ft corner vision triangle. Call Diggers Hotline (811) at least 3 business days before digging. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for the Village of Black Earth (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Village of Black Earth?
Tracy Johnson, Building Inspector. Phone 608-444-0372.
Sources
Summarized from the Village of Black Earth's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for the Village of Black Earth? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.