Vilas County fence permit rules
Fence rules in Vilas County are set by each city, village and town, not by the state. Pick your municipality for height limits, setbacks, fees, step-by-step filing instructions and the person to call.
Some towns in Vilas County follow the county zoning ordinance instead of their own. Those are covered under Vilas County Zoning & Planning (towns under the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance).
| Municipality | Permit? | Side/rear max | Front yard | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Eagle River | Yes | 6 ft | No greater than four feet within a required front setback of any residential property | 715-479-8682 ext. 227 |
| Town of Arbor Vitae | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Boulder Junction | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Cloverland | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Conover | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Lac du Flambeau | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Land O' Lakes | Ask | — | — | 715-337-5256 |
| Town of Lincoln | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Manitowish Waters | Yes | Up to 6.0 ft with a zoning permit; over 6.0 ft and less than 15.0 ft from the property boundary line needs a conditional use permit; over 12.0 ft always needs a conditional use permit | Up to 6.0 ft with a zoning permit; over 6.0 ft between a building setback line and the property line needs a conditional use permit | 715-543-2855 |
| Town of Phelps | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Plum Lake | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Presque Isle | Ask | — | — | 715-686-2313 |
| Town of St. Germain | Ask | — | — | 715-542-8024 (Option 3) |
| Town of Washington | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Town of Winchester | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
| Vilas County Zoning & Planning (towns under the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance) | Yes | 6 feet or less with a zoning permit; over 6 feet and less than 15 feet from the property line needs a conditional use permit; up to 12 feet allowed with a zoning permit if at least 15 feet from the property line; any fence over 12 feet needs a conditional use permit | Lots abutting roads: setbacks per local | 715-479-3620 |
Not sure which municipality you're in? Your tax bill names it, or look up your address.