Frequently Asked Questions

 

General Zoning Administration
  1. Where is the Department of Planning & Development?
  2. When is the office open?
  3. When and where do the Land Use Committee, Zoning Board of Adjustments, Land & Water Resource Committee, Sanitary Board of Review, Housing Authority and UW Extension Committee meet?
  4. Who is my County Board representative?
  5. What is my mill rate or property taxes for my property?

 

Land/Demographic Information

   1.   What is the land area of Kenosha County?

   2.   What is the current population of Kenosha County?

   3.   Where are the school districts?

 

Zoning and Permitting
  1. What areas are in the County’s zoning jurisdiction?
  2. How do I find out the zoning of my property?
  3. How do I find out what zoning district my property is in?
  4. What is a stakeout survey?
  5. Why do I need a survey?
  6. Why is a survey an important document?
  7. What is a foundation survey?
  8. What is a foundation survey requirement?
  9. What is a waiver of liability document?
  10. What is a waiver of liability requirement?
  11. What is a release of waiver of liability document?
  12. What is a variance?
  13. How many animals/horses or livestock can I have on my property?
  14. Can the Kenosha County Planning and Development office provide answers about my property if it lies within the city of Kenosha or a village within Kenosha County?
  15. What is a setback?
  16. What are the setbacks on my property?
  17. What is a setback distance requirement measured from?
  18. What is a 100-year floodplain?
  19. What is an ordinary high water mark (OHWM) elevation?
  20. What is a wetland?
  21. When is a zoning permit required?
  22. What if I am only replacing what already exists?
  23. Do I need a permit for a patio?
  24. Do I need a zoning permit for a fence?
  25. Do I need a zoning permit for a deck?
  26. Do I need a zoning permit for a swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi or hot tub?
  27. Is a fence required around my swimming pool?
  28. Do I need a zoning permit for a sign?
  29. Do I need a permit to cut/remove trees on my property?
  30. What is the process for applying for a zoning permit?
  31. How long does it take to obtain a zoning permit?
  32. What is the cost of a zoning permit?
  33. How long are zoning permits valid?
  34. What happens if construction is not complete and the zoning permit is about to expire?
  35. Will the building inspector check my setbacks?
  36. Do I need an appointment to apply for a zoning permit?
  37. Where can I obtain my tax key number?
  38. Where can I find a legal description of my property?
  39. Can I store unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicles on my property?
  40. Do I need a permit to operate a home occupation from my residential property?
  41. Is more than one dwelling unit allowed on a property?
  42. Can I have an "in-law" unit on my property?
  43. Can I place a mobile home or manufactured home on my property?
  44. Is my property in the 100-year floodplain?
  45. Does the County issue permits for piers and other structures placed on the bed of a body of water?
  46. Can I have a boathouse on my property?
  47. How many accessory buildings can I have on my property?
  48. What size accessory structure can I have on my property?
  49. I have a piece of vacant land.  Can I place or construct an accessory building/structure without a residence on the site?
  50. What if I have a substandard lot or structure?
  51. What is required for a new home construction permit?
  52. Do I need a zoning permit for new windows, new doors, new shingles, etc.....?
  53. What do I need to start a new business?

 

Land Development
  1. What is a comprehensive plan?
  2. What is a land use plan?
  3. What is a neighborhood plan?
  4. Can I split (subdivide) my land?
  5. Do I need an appointment if I am going to subdivide my property?
  6. Do I need an appointment if I am going to open a new business in an existing building that had a business?
  7. What is a Certified Survey Map?
  8. What is a Plat?
  9. What is a Preliminary Plat?
  10. What is a Final Plat?
  11. I am looking for a certified survey map, conditional use permit, subdivision plat or rezoning approval.  How will the filing and meeting attendance process work?

 

Mapping / GIS
  1. What is GIS?
  2. What is a GIS layer?
  3. What kinds of hardcopy maps can I purchase?
  4. Can I purchase digital mapping datasets?
  5. Does Kenosha County serve maps over the internet?

 

Conservation
  1. What programs are available to county residents?
  2. I am interested in the CRP Program.
  3. I would like to abandon a well and heard there is cost-sharing available.
  4. Do you have a tree program?
  5. What are conservation buffers?
  6. Can I fill my property?
  7. Can I have horses?  How many?
  8. Can I put rocks on the shoreline?
  9. What do I have to do to construct a pond?
 
Sanitation
  1. When do I need a sanitary permit for a Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS)?
  2. How do I get a sanitary permit?
  3. My septic system is not working anymore. How do I get it replaced with another septic system that works?
  4. Does it matter if I do all my laundry in one day?
  5. How long are soil tests (perk tests) for Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) good for?
  6. Why do I need a sanitary permit?
  7. How long is a sanitary permit good for?
  8. I have heard of County sanitary permits – When are these issued?
  9. Do mound systems really work?
  10. Can anybody install a Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS)?
  11. Can I have a food waste grinder installed in my home even though I have a POWTS?
  12. How often should I pump my treatment tank(s)?
  13. Are two-chamber or multi-chamber septic tanks better for your POWTS than single chamber tanks?
  14. Does having a two-chamber septic tank help to reduce the maintenance frequency of my effluent filter?
  15. How often do I have to service the effluent filter in my septic tank?
  16. Is there financial assistance available for property owners whose POWTS has failed and needs to be replaced?
  17. I see advertisements that say “if I buy this product I can reduce the pumping cost for my septic tank.” Does this really help?
  18. How are Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) sized?
  19. I recently purchased a home and I had a septic system evaluation done at the time of purchase. I would like to do an addition and also some remodeling of the home. Can I use this septic system evaluation to get my Zoning Permit?
  20. I have a mound POWTS and I want to landscape it. Can I plant trees and shrubs on or around it?

 

Housing
  1. What is the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program?
  2. Who is eligible for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan?
  3. What are the income limits for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan?
  4. Am I limited to how the Housing Rehabilitation Loan funds may be used?
  5. What is the interest rate for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan?
  6. What are the amounts and terms of the Housing Rehabilitation Loan?
  7. How are the terms and rates for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan possible?
  8. Are there any fees for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan?
  9. How do I choose a contractor for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan?
  10. How long does it take to get approved for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan?
  11. What is the Homestead Opportunity Loan Program?
  12. Who is eligible for a Homestead Opportunity Loan?
  13. Am I limited to how the Homestead Opportunity Loan Funds may be used?
  14. What is the interest rate and term for a Homestead Opportunity Loan?
  15. How are the Homestead Opportunity Loan terms and rates possible?
  16. Are there any fees for a Homestead Opportunity Loan?
  17. How do I choose a lender for a conventional mortgage?
  18. How do I sign up for the Fox River Flood Mitigation (Buyout) program?
  19. Will the County make me sell my Fox River floodplain house under the Fox River Flood Mitigation?
  20. Does the County have money to buy my Fox River floodplain house under the Fox River Flood Mitigation (Buyout) program?
  21. How much money will the County offer me for my Fox River floodplain house under the Fox River Flood Mitigation (Buyout) program?
  22. What other benefits can I receive if I participate in the Fox River Flood Mitigation (Buyout) program?
  23. How long does it take to get my home purchased under the Fox River Flood Mitigation (Buyout) program?
  24. Who provides Section 8/ rental assistance for County residents?
 
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