WISCONSIN UNIFORM DWELLING CODE

In response to numerous inquiries regarding the Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) it is important that property owners, prospective buyers, Realtors, contractors, developers and municipal officials understand the impact of these rules on residential development in Douglas County.  In the past the UDC has only been administered in the City of Superior.  Effective on January 1, 2005 all communities (cities, villages, and towns) in Wisconsin are required to administer the Uniform Dwelling Code for the construction of new dwellings.  The code is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Safety and Buildings Division based on rules outlined in COMM 20-25.  In rural Douglas County each town is responsible to assure the proper procedures are met.  Each town has created an ordinance or resolution outlining the permitting process, to include application, plan review and inspections, required in the code.  Plan reviewers and building inspectors may be state or municipal employees or private firms under contract with the town. 

It is important to note that the permitting process for a new dwelling in Douglas County requires obtaining a land use or conditional use permit, a septic system permit (unless the property is served by a municipal sewer system) from the County Zoning Office and lastly, a building permit from the town.

Specific questions concerning the administration of the UDC within your town or village should be referred to the Town Chair, Town Clerk, Village President, Village Clerk, or Building Inspector.

Specific questions concerning the Uniform Dwelling Code may be directed to Randy Mattison, Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings Division at (715) 634-8964 or 10541N Ranch Road Hayward, WI  54843 or rmattison@commerce.state.wi.us.  You can access the UDC on the Department of Commerce webpage at www.commerce.wi.gov or purchase the code from the Wisconsin Department of Administration Document Sales.

Specific questions concerning Douglas County Zoning Ordinances may be directed to Steve Rannenberg, Planning and Zoning Administrator at (715) 395-1389 or 1313 Belknap Street, Room 206, Superior, WI  54880 or steve.rannenberg@douglascountywi.org or you can visit the Douglas County website at www.douglascountywi.org.