Frequently Asked Questions

The City does not currently have a short-term rental use or license defined by city ordinance and therefore do not have any standards in addition to those required by the State of Wisconsin or Dane County. Short term rentals and lodging establishments, such as hotels, are regulated under the same administrative code in Wisconsin State Statutes with licensing and health inspections being the same. 

A short-term rental is considered to be the lease of any residential dwelling, or part thereof, for periods less than 30 days whereas rooming for a period of 30 days or more is considered a conventional lease arrangement. The term "Hotel" means a place where sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to transients, in 5 or more rooms, and all related rooms, buildings and areas. In simpler terms, if an establishment is planning to operate 5 or more rooms under the same legal entity, it would considered be a hotel by the state.

Short-term rentals are required to have a Dane County license, regardless of municipal treatment, as well as state license for remittance of room taxes. Should any complaint be issued against a short-term rental, staff will contact Dane County to verify compliance with an issued license.

The future land use (FLU) map is contained in the City's Comprehensive Plan and identifies areas by their primary intended uses, character, and densities. The FLU map contains different land use categories that together illustrate the city's land use vision. These categories are not zoning districts and do not establish binding performance criteria for land uses, nor are they intended to list every possible use that may be permitted.

 Zoning is the most common method of land use control used by local governments and is one of the main regulatory tools through which the Comprehensive Plan is implemented. Zoning refers to the division of land into distinct areas or zones, each with specific regulations dictating land use, building heights, density, and other factors. The primary purpose of zoning is to regulate land use and development in a manner that promotes orderly growth, protects property values, and ensures the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

 Refer to "Mapping the Future" - a guide to planning and zoning on the Planning Division's Website.

A zoning permit is required from the Planning Division for any addition of use, change of use, or reactivation of a prior use for all permitted non-residential uses. Any parking lot expansion or site alteration also requires a zoning permit. Construction of a one- or two-family dwelling unit no longer requires a separate zoning permit from the Planning Division and shall be submitted directly for a building permit through the City's web-based application software system, OpenGov. 

An interactive map of the city's zoning districts is available on the Planning Division's website. This map is updated regularly as zoning map amendments, i.e. "Rezones," are approved by the City Council. 

Refer to Section 17.12.050 for statements regarding the purpose and intent of standard zoning districts contained in the zoning ordinance.

The City's zoning ordinance considers attached decks and porches as an extension of the primary structure and are therefore subject to those applicable setback requirements of Section 17.24.030. The following exceptions may be considered:

• Terraces, steps, uncovered porches, decks, stoops, or similar appurtenances that do not extend more than three (3) feet above grade may be setback up to eight (8) feet from the rear lot line. 
• Balconies or similar appurtenances, such as a deck, that extend more than three (3) feet above grade may extend into a required rear yard up to six (6) feet.
• A front or street yard setback reduction for terraces, steps, uncovered porches, decks, stoops, or similar appurtenances to residential buildings may be considered as long as they are not located closer than fifteen (15) feet from any street right-of-way and do not extend above the floor level of the adjacent building entrance.

 Refer to Section 17.24.080 - Intrusions into required yards

All fences, landscape walls, or decorative posts may be located on any property line abutting a side or rear yard and a minimum of two (2) feet from the street yard property line (also referred to as the right-of-way). The maximum height of any residential fence, landscape wall, or decorative post shall be six (6) feet except when located within 20-feet of a street yard property line, the maximum height is four (4) feet. 

 For residential lots fronting more than one street, a six (6) foot tall fence may be located within 20-feet of a street yard property line on the side yard with administrative approval of a special use permit (SUP) as long as the fence is setback appropriately to allow landscaping on its external side and the increase in height does not obstruct vision for intersecting streets, driveways, sidewalks or other traffic areas. A six (6) foot tall fence may be located within 20-feet of a street yard property line in the front yard with approval of a conditional use permit (CUP), subject to the same conditions as an SUP. A CUP requires a public hearing with the City’s Plan Commission. 

 Fences should remain out of all easements when possible. Please consult with city staff if easements, or other natural areas such as wetlands, are present on your property. All fences require a building permit from the Building Inspection Division prior to installation: https://cityofsunprairie.com/197/Fences 

Refer to Section 17.36.200 - Fencing standards

A Web Application (Current Planning Projects) is available on the Planning Division's website for viewing development projects approved by the Planning Division for construction. This web app includes current planning and zoning projects under review by city staff for either consideration by Plan Commission or administrative approval. 

 Current planning and zoning projects include new construction, new uses or change of use requiring a conditional use permit (CUP), land divisions (subdivisions/plats), annexations, conceptual plans for a planned development, and amendments to the zoning ordinance, zoning map, and Comprehensive Plan. This web application represents planning and zoning level review only and does not represent the issuance of building permits. 

Planned Developments are special districts aimed at revitalizing neglected areas in the community and supporting types of development that the city’s zoning rules don't allow. They seek to enhance the city's appearance and economy by giving more flexibility in how sites are designed and developed, allowing for more creative land use and design options. 

 Planned developments allow for changes to specific land rules and other regulations. In return for this flexibility, they must uphold higher standards in site design and architecture compared to regular developments. These projects follow special procedures and need a public hearing, combining steps from zoning map changes and conditional use processes, along with extra requirements. Planned developments are initiated by property owner(s) and are evaluated for consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and other adopted plans and policies.

 The Planned Development Proposal Process is outlined on the Planning Division's website: https://cityofsunprairie.com/1782/Planned-Development-Proposal-Process

Refer to Section 17.12.080 - Planned development (PD) district procedures.

A duplex house and twin house are both considered to be single-family residences attached on one side to another single-family residence. The duplex house is distinguished from the twin house merely by having both units located on a single lot. Converting a duplex to a twin home requires a certified survey map (CSM) to be submitted to the City's Planning Division for administrative review as a minor land division. If the residence is served by a single sanitary lateral, a plumbing maintenance agreement shall be submitted with the CSM and signed by all land owners and recorded with the Dane County Register of Deeds in conjunction with recording of the CSM. Please note that a CSM must be prepared by a registered land surveyor per State of Wisconsin Statutes. 

 Refer to Section 16.24.010 - Land divisions by certified survey.

No. The City is responsible for enforcing its adopted Code of Ordinances. Many subdivision organizations such as a Homeowner's Association (HOA) have its own set of rules and guidelines established to guide use, allowable structures, and design, generally referred to as a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions. These covenants are recorded in the Dane County Register of Deeds office and are privately regulated and enforced. The city does not regulate private covenants.