Administrative overview · FIPS 55059
Kenosha County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Kenosha County Division of Planning & Development
For a project in or near Kenosha County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
262-857-1895
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
19600 75th Street, Suite 185-3, Bristol, WI 53104-9772
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM; appointments are required for in-person meetings with Planning & Development staff.
Review expectation
Complete commercial zoning-permit applications are typically reviewed in approximately 7-10 working days; other project timelines are N/A.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Kenosha County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Kenosha County Division of Planning & Development is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 262-857-1895.
How long might review take?
Complete commercial zoning-permit applications are typically reviewed in approximately 7-10 working days; other project timelines are N/A.
How are inspections scheduled?
Obtain the county zoning permit first, then contact the applicable town/municipality or its contracted building inspector to schedule UDC/building inspections; the county portal identifies the responsible office by municipality. For principal buildings, additions, and detached accessory buildings over 150 square feet, submit a professional foundation survey by the permit deadline to verify size and setbacks. For county sanitation inspections call the County Sanitarian through 262-857-1895.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Kenosha County General Zoning and Shoreland/Floodplain Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 12), county Construction Site Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Ordinance, Subdivision Control Ordinance, and Sanitary/POWTS Ordinance. County zoning applies in the unincorporated towns of Brighton, Paris, Randall, Somers, and Wheatland; Wisconsin building-code/UDC permits and inspections are administered by the applicable local municipality or contracted inspector. County zoning-permit exemptions include detached accessory structures of 150 square feet or less (subject to district count, height, and setbacks); uncovered, unenclosed entry decks/landings no larger than 4 by 6 feet that meet stated setbacks; pools capable of holding no more than 18 inches of water; qualifying removable non-habitable farm structures; handicap ramps, qualifying construction trailers and temporary storage containers, flagpoles, mailboxes, and play equipment other than pools or tennis courts. Local building permits may still be required.