Zoning Information

The Town of Grant is zoned A1, an Exclusive Agricultural District. With the exception of farm consolidation, this requires a minimum of 35 acres for a dwelling. The A1 zoning requirements taken from the Dunn County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance are listed below. To see the complete Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance contact the Dunn County Zoning Office (715) 232-1401.

A1 Zoning requirements for the Town of Grant

2.5 Exclusive Agricultural District (A1)

2.5.01 Purpose: A1 Exclusive Agricultural District is established to:

  1. Preserve those areas best suited for farming or agricultural uses
  2. Protect the agricultural economic base of the county
  3. Entitle farms to tax credits under the Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Program
  4. Minimize urban sprawl and its' associated public expense
  5. Minimize land use conflicts between farms and non-farms

2.5.02 Permitted Principal Uses

  1. General farming which includes but not limited to:
    1. Agriculture
    2. Dairying
    3. Floriculture
    4. Grazing
    5. Livestock raising, except commercial feedlot
    6. Orchards
    7. Horticulture
    8. Plant nurseries
    9. Poultry raising
    10. Raising of grain, grass, seed crops, and mint
    11. Raising of tree fruits, nuts and berries
    12. Sod farming
    13. Vegetable raising
    14. Viticulture
    15. Forest and game management
    16. Greenhouses
    17. Nature trails and walks
    18. Stables
  2. Housing to be occupied by a person or a family where at least one member of which earns a substantial part of his or her livelihood from the farm operation on the farm parcel.
  3. Housing to be occupied by a parent, or child of the farm owner.
  4. Non-metallic mining as defined in Chapter 12, when the product is used by the property owner for their own use on the same parcel or adjoining parcels under the same ownership.
  5. Essential services as defined in Chapter 12.

2.5.03 Permitted Principal Structures

  1. Structures for the housing of a family, including mobile/manufactured homes.
  2. Farm structures utilized in the business of agriculture.
  3. Farm structures and dwellings existing prior to the adoption of this ordinance and separated from a farm through acquisition or consolidation of farm land.

2.5.04 Permitted Accessory Uses

  1. Private storage of motor vehicles and agriculture equipment.
  2. Temporary seasonal roadside sales of agricultural products primarily produced upon the premises.
  3. Sales of agriculture-related products such as feed, seed, fertilize,
    herbicides and pesticides by a farmer to supplement farm income and customarily carried on as a part of the farm operation.
  4. Home occupations as per Section 7.3.
  5. Professional office as per Section 7.3.
  6. Second housing unit pursuant to Section 2.5.02(b) or (c).
  7. Bed and breakfast establishments pursuant to Chapter HSS 197 Wis. Admin. Code.
  8. Private recreational uses, including but not limited to swimming, tennis, horticulture and playground activities.

2.5.05 Permitted Accessory Structures

  1. Single family dwelling or mobile/manufactured home, as as second dwelling pursuant to Section 2.5.02(b) or (c).
  2. Private recreational structures.
  3. Private garages and storage sheds.
  4. Seasonal roadside stands.

2.5.06 Minimum Lot Area

  1. Minimum lot size shall be 35 acres.
  2. The minimum lot size for a dwelling and/or farm structure separated from a farm through acquisition or consolidation on or after adoption of this ordinance by the town, shall be one to five acres so as to satisfy setbacks for structures, well and on-site waste disposal systems only. The minimum amount of useable agricultural land shall be incorporated into the lot. The created parcel shall be divided by certified survey map and upon its recording, shall be placed into the Agricultural District (A2) or Agricultural-Residential District (A3) depending on lot size.
  3. Dwellings and/or farm structures existing at the time of the effective date of this ordinance which do not conform to the agricultural related status requirement shall not be subject to any limitations imposed or authorized under Chapter 59.97(10) Wis. Stats. Such pre-existing structures may be altered, repaired or rebuilt if destroyed but are subject to setback, height and other dimensional requirements.
  4. Dwellings proposed under Sections 2.5.05(a) or 2.5.11(g) can be designated as agricultural parcels. No survey is required providing no parcel is created by the act of division. A certified survey and deed restriction shall be required and recorded when the act of division occurs as a result of:
    1. Ownership transfer of a parcel less than 35 acres to a parent or child of the farm owner.
    2. Mortgage survey of a parcel less than 35 acres for the farm owner or parent and child of the farm owner.

    The deed restriction is to be completed on forms provided by the Zoning Department. It's purpose is to promote the continuation of farmland preservation which is the goal of the exclusive agriculture district. To change the parcel to a non-farm use will require the dismissal of the deed restriction by the Zoning Administrator following a successful rezoning.

2.5.07 Height.

  1. The maximum height of a residential structure shall be 35 feet.
  2. All other structures shall not exceed in height two times their
    distance from the nearest lot line, but not less than the minimums required in Section 2.5.08 and 2.5.09.

2.5.08 Side Yard

  1. The minimum side yard setback shall be 10 feet for the principal structures.
  2. The minimum side yard setback shall be 10 feet for accessory structures.

2.5.09 Rear Yard

  1. The minimum rear yard setback shall be 25 feet for principal structures.
  2. The minimum rear yard setback shall be 25 feet for accessory structures.

2.5.10 Highway

  1. The minimum highway setbacks shall be regulated under Section 8.4.

2.5.11 Special Exceptions. The following uses may be allowed as a special exception upon approval by the Board of Adjustment as provided in Section 9.2.

  1. Non-metallic mining as defined in Chapter 12, when it is governmentally owned and operated, or privately owned and operated when its use is exclusively for town, county or state highway construction or reconstruction project and/or agriculture lime. Restoration shall be completed within one year after discontinuing operations of the site to a condition of practical usefulness and physical attractiveness. Permit is valid for one year and is renewed annually with an effective date of January 1. Issuance of the permit will be conditioned on past years performance. Complaints on performance will be heard by the Board of Adjustment who may order the Zoning Administrator not to renew the permit. See additional requirements in Section 7.4.
  2. Commercial feedlots and fur farms as defined in Chapter 12.
  3. Agricultural-related businesses other than permitted accessory uses as defined in Section 2.5.04(c)
    1. Veterinary services and animal hospitals that primarily service farm animals
    2. Livestock sales facilities
    3. Farm machinery dealers and repair services
    4. Seed, fertilizer and chemical dealers
    5. Industries which process agricultural products largely produced on nearby farms.
  4. Asphalt mixing plants governmentally owned and operated or private temporary plants serving public projects.
  5. Schools and Churches
  6. Governmental offices, warehouses, shops, storage yards, landfills, transfer stations and sewage disposal plants.
  7. Additional housing to be occupied by a person or a family where at least one member of which earns a substantial part of his or her livelihood from the farm operation on the farm parcel or a parent, or child of the farm owner.
  8. Sawmills when on location for more than 90 days.
  9. Commercial kennels found to be subordinate to the principle farming use.