Temporary Campground Procedures – Unincorporated Waukesha County
Who has zoning jurisdiction?
If the property is located within a shoreland area (300 ft. of a river, 1,000 ft. of a lake, or the 1%
chance floodplain), the County has zoning jurisdiction. Please contact the Planner of the Day at
(262) 548-7790 or go to www.waukeshacounty.gov/planningandzoning for more information.
If the property is not located within a shoreland area, the Town has zoning jurisdiction. Please
contact the Town directly.
If the property is partially located within a shoreland area, the Town and County both have
zoning jurisdiction.
What types of zoning approvals are required?
An Unspecified Conditional Use Permit is required from the Town and/or County, as determined
above. The Conditional Use process requires a public notice period and public hearing. It may
take as long as three months to obtain a permit from time of application.
A Site Plan and Plan of Operation Permit is also required from the Town and County.
Details regarding the following site plan elements must be provided as part of a Site Plan and
Plan of Operation application:
● Signage ● Lighting
● Placement of structures, temp. tents ● Size of site, location, type/no. of sites
● Length of event, length of stay ● Music/entertainment
● Waste disposal and recycling ● Organization of parking, amount/type
● Site accessibility for emergency services ● Impacts to crops/restoration of site
● Neighbor impacts ● Noise
● Natural resource protection ● Liability insurance
● Number of campers/attendees ● Sanitation facilities and potable water
● Food preparation and service
Temporary or permanent structures and signage require a Zoning Permit from the zoning
jurisdiction noted above and a Building Permit from the Town.
Is a Special Event Campground License required from the Environmental Health Division?
Yes, a Special Event Campground License is required in accordance with Wisconsin
Administrative Code DATCP 79 and must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the event.
The permit is good for no more than 14 consecutive days. A Special Event Campground License
application is attached to these procedures. Please contact the Environmental Health Division at
(262) 896-8300 for more information.
Adequate toilet facilities with handwashing, potable water, and proper garbage disposal will be
required.
Each campsite is required to be a minimum of 800 sq. ft.
Can the property owner provide food to the campers?
The property owner or operator is required to obtain a Restaurant License if food is sold on the
property, unless the food is sold by a licensed caterer.
Are there any concerns related to access from a public or private road?
If a new public road access location is proposed, a local, County, or State Permit is required.
Traffic control may be required.
A traffic pad at the access point may be required to avoid dirt/dust from entering public/private
road.
When does Waukesha County’s Mass Meetings and Gatherings Ordinance apply?
The County’s Mass Meetings and Gatherings Ordinance applies if 1,000 or more people are
expected to assemble for 18 or more consecutive hours.
The County Clerk must issue a license prior to the event for each day the event takes place.
N:\PRKANDLU\Planning and Zoning\Administration\Planners information\Reference documents for planners\Special Events and Mass
Gatherings\Waukesha County Temporary Campground Procedures for Unincorporated Areas.doc (2/23/17)