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1. What is the existing land use for a property?

The existing land use for a property can be found in the comprehensive plan.  To view the plan's existing land use map, click here.

2. When do I need a Zoning Permit?

A zoning permit is required in order to ensure that land uses and development activities comply with the standards of the zoning ordinance, serve as a final step in the approval process for other land use and development application types, and to otherwise protect the public health, safety, and general welfare.

Zoning permits shall be required prior to any of the following activities:

• The construction or placement of a new building, structure or paved surface; or the expansion or exterior modification of a building, structure or paved surface above and beyond minor repairs and maintenance*
• A change in occupancy and use of, or the addition of a use to, an existing building, structure or property when the new use is of a different land use classification than the existing or prior use
• Occupancy and use of vacant land
• The re-establishment of an allowed use on a property that has been inactive for a period of more than 12 months
• * The expansion of a single-family home not located within a planned development district. However, a building permit and other permits may still be necessary and the property owner is responsible for ensuring that all zoning requirements are adhered to.

The following activities shall not require the issuance of a zoning permit:

• Street construction or repair, utility work within the public right of way or a public easement, or other approved activity performed by a governmental entity or recognized utility within the public right of way
• The repaving of conforming driveways or parking lots, provided that it does not involve the expansion of a parking lot
• Miscellaneous activities and improvements incidental to the use, maintenance and upkeep of residential properties, such as landscaping, the erection of accessory buildings that do not require a building permit, the installation of playground equipment, mailboxes, patios, decks, and other similar activities, provided all locational requirements of this Title are met
• Other activities may be exempted if the zoning administrator determines that a zoning permit is not necessary

3. What is the zoning of my property?

The city maintains a zoning map to establish zoning districts and to track changes in zoning that occur over time. In some cases, properties are also included within overlay zoning districts, which establish additional or modified standards for specific geographical areas in the city.

• Zoning Districts Map
• Overlay Zoning District Map

The City's Zoning Ordinance is included at Title 17 of the Sun Prairie Municipal Code.

4. Do I need a permit to run a business from my home?

In most cases, yes, a special use permit is needed to operate a home occupation. A special use permit is a staff approval that is relatively quick and requires a $50 application fee. The home occupation standards are included in the application packet for this type of permit.

In situations that involve the handling of food or live plants or the care or treatment of people or animals in the home, a conditional use permit (CUP) is needed. A CUP requires review and approval by the Plan Commission and the City Council. Contact the Planning Department at 608-825-1107 for more information.

Home Occupation Permit Application

5. Can I park my RV on my residential property?

In-season parking of an RV (April 1 - November 30) is allowed on residential properties as long as setback standards and certain other requirements can be met. Only one vehicle over 22 feet in length can be parked on a lot at any one time. Off-season storage of an RV on a residential lot requires a conditional use permit. The specific standards can be found in Section 17.36.060 of the municipal code. Contact the Planning Department at 608-825-1107 for more details. Section 17.36.060 of the Municipal Code

6. How tall can my fence be?

A fence on a typical residential lot can be 6 feet in height along the side and rear lines of your property. However, it can only be 4 feet in height when located within a required front yard or required street yard on any residential zoned property. In some cases these maximums can be exceeded through the approval of a conditional use permit. Contact the Planning Department for more details.

Also, please note that in most cases a fence requires a building permit. Please contact the Building Inspection Department for more details.

7. How do I find out about pending development in the city?

The Planning Department receives a lot of inquiries from residents about potential development in the city, and we certainly hear many of the same rumors and discussion in the community that residents hear about new businesses that are interested in building in Sun Prairie; however, our general policy is that we do not discuss potential projects until a development application has been filed with the city.

Once such a filing occurs, all related information is open to the public, unless the materials are subject to closed session discussions before the City Council due to negotiations or potential litigation.

Information regarding development items that are currently under consideration by the Plan Commission is available on the Planning Department pages of the city's website. In addition, the Planning Department staff is always happy to answer questions regarding such matters, subject to the above parameters. The Planning Department