Source: https://www.ecode360.com/9833289
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 00:57:09+00:00

Document:
§ 174-1 Title; purpose; scope.
§ 174-2 Building permits and inspections.
§ 174-3 State Uniform Dwelling Code adopted.
§ 174-4 Construction standards; codes adopted.
§ 174-5 Persons authorized to do electrical work.
§ 174-6 New methods and materials.
§ 174-7 Disclaimer on inspections.
§ 174-11 Removal of topsoil.
§ 174-12 Discharge of clear waters.
§ 174-14 Smoke and heat detectors.
§ 174-15 Posting of address numbers.
§ 174-16 Receptacles for construction debris.
§ 174-17 Minimum square footage for new residences.
§ 174-18 Culverts required; driveway/culvert permit.
§ 174-22 Enforcement; violations and penalties.
Erosion control and stormwater management — See Ch. 200.
Fire prevention— See Ch. 212.
Sewers — See Ch. 325.
Zoning — See Ch. 380.
Title. This chapter shall be known as the "Building Code of the Town of Trenton" and will be referred to in this chapter as "this code" or "this chapter."
Scope. New buildings hereafter erected in or any building hereafter moved within or into the Town shall conform to all the requirements of this chapter except as they are herein specifically exempted from part or all of its provisions. Any alteration, enlargement or demolition of an existing building and any installation therein of electrical, gas, heating, plumbing or ventilating equipment which affects the health or safety of the users thereof or any other persons is a "new building" to the extent of such change. Any existing building shall be considered a "new building" for the purposes of this chapter whenever it is used for dwelling, commercial or industrial purposes, unless it was being used for such purpose at the time this chapter was enacted. The provisions of this chapter supplement the laws of the State of Wisconsin pertaining to construction and use and the Zoning Code of the Town of Trenton and amendments thereto to the date this chapter was adopted and in no way supersede or nullify such laws and said Zoning Code.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 380, Zoning.
General permit requirement. No building of any kind shall be moved within or into the Town and no new building or structure, or any part thereof, shall hereafter be erected, or ground broken for the same, or enlarged, altered, moved, demolished, razed or used within the Town, or utility services installed or utility services repaired or replaced which involve the opening of the street, except as herein provided, until a permit therefor shall first have been obtained by the owner, or his/her authorized agent, from the Building Inspector.
When alterations are not permitted. When any existing building or structure which, for any reason whatsoever, does not conform to the regulations of this chapter has deteriorated from any cause whatsoever to an extent greater than 50% of the equalized value of the building or structure, no alterations or moving of such building or structure shall be permitted. Any such building or structure shall be considered a menace to public safety and welfare and shall be ordered vacated and thereafter demolished and debris removed from the premises.
Application. Application for a building permit shall be made in writing upon a form furnished by the Building Inspector or his/her designee and shall state the name and address of the owner of the land and also the owner of the building, if different, the legal description of the land upon which the building is to be located, the name and address of the designer, the use to which said building is to be put and such other information as the Building Inspector may require.
Site plan approval. All applications for building permits for any construction, reconstruction, expansion or conversion, except for one- and two-family residences in residentially zoned districts, shall require site plan approval by the Plan Commission in accordance with the requirements of this section. The applicant shall submit a site plan and sufficient plans and specifications of proposed buildings, machinery and operations to enable the Plan Commission or its expert consultants to determine whether the proposed application meets all the requirements applicable thereto in this chapter.
Administration. The Building Inspector shall make a preliminary review of the application and plans and refer them along with a report of his/her findings to the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission shall review the application and may refer the application and plans to one or more expert consultants selected by the Town Board to advise whether the application and plans meet all the requirements applicable thereto in this chapter. Within 30 days of its receipt of the application, the Town Board shall authorize the Building Inspector to issue or refuse a building permit.
The layout of the site with regard to entrances and exits to public streets; the arrangement and improvement of interior roadways; and the location, adequacy and improvement of areas for parking and for loading and unloading, and shall, in this connection, satisfy itself that the traffic pattern generated by the proposed construction or use shall be developed in a manner consistent with the safety of residents and the community, and the applicant shall so design the construction or use as to minimize any traffic hazard created thereby.
The landscaping and appearance of the completed site. The Plan Commission may require that those portions of all front, rear and side yards not used for off-street parking shall be attractively planted with trees, shrubs, plants or grass lawns and that the site be effectively screened so as not to impair the value of adjacent properties nor impair the intent of purposes of this section.
Effect on municipal services. Before granting any site approval, the Plan Commission may, besides obtaining advice from consultants, secure such advice as may be deemed necessary from the Building Inspector or other municipal officials, with special attention to the effect of such approval upon existing municipal services and utilities. Should additional facilities be needed, the Plan Commission shall not issue the final approval until the Town has entered into an agreement with the applicant regarding the development of such facilities.
Editor's Note: Original § 10-3-2(c)(5), Appeals, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 380, Zoning, § 380-116, Site plan review and architectural control.
Dedicated street and approved subdivision required. No building permit shall be issued unless the property on which the building is proposed to be built abuts a street that has been dedicated for street purposes. No building permit shall be issued until the subdivision and required improvements are accepted by the Town Board, upon the recommendation of the Plan Commission.
Utilities required. No person shall occupy any building until sewer, water, grading and graveling are installed in the streets necessary to service the property, and a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until such utilities are available to service the property.
Plans. With such application there shall be submitted two complete sets of plans and specifications, including a plot plan showing the location and dimensions of all buildings and improvements on the lot, both existing and proposed, dimensions of the lot, dimensions showing all setbacks of all buildings on the lot, proposed grade of proposed structure (to Town datum), grade of lot and of the street abutting the lot, grade and setback of adjacent buildings (if adjacent lot is vacant, submit elevation of nearest buildings on same side of street), type of monuments at each corner of the lot, watercourses or existing drainage ditches, easements or other restrictions affecting such property, seal and signature of surveyor or a certificate signed by the applicant, and a construction erosion control plan setting forth proposed information and procedures needed for control of soil erosion, surface water runoff and sediment disposition at the building site. Plans, specifications and plot plans shall be drawn to a minimum scale of 1/4 inch to one foot (fireplace details to 3/4 inch to one foot). One set of plans shall be returned after approval as provided in this chapter. The second set shall be filed in the office of the Building Inspector. Plans for commercial buildings involving the State Building Code shall bear the stamp of approval of the State Department of Commerce. One plan shall be submitted which shall remain on file in the office of the Building Inspector. All plans and specifications shall be signed by the designer. Plans for all new one- and two-family dwellings shall comply with the provisions of § Comm 20.09(4), Wis. Adm. Code.
Minor repairs. The Building Inspector may authorize minor repairs or maintenance work on any structure or to heating, ventilating or air-conditioning systems installed therein valued at less than $250, as determined by the Building Inspector, which do not change the occupancy area, exterior aesthetic appearance, structural strength, fire protection, exits, light or ventilation of the building or structure without issuance of a building permit.
If the Building Inspector determines that the building will comply in every respect with all ordinances and orders of the Town and all applicable laws and orders of the State of Wisconsin, he/she shall issue a building permit which shall state the use to which said building is to be put, which shall be kept and displayed at the site of the proposed building. After being approved, the plans and specifications shall not be altered in any respect which involves any of the above-mentioned ordinances, laws or orders, or which involves the safety of the building or the occupants, except with the written consent of the Building Inspector.
As required by the Building Inspector.
If he/she finds that the work conforms to the provisions of this chapter, he/she shall issue a certification of occupancy which shall contain the date and the result of such inspection, a duplicate of which shall be filed in the office of the Building Inspector.
Whenever the Building Inspector shall find at any time that applicable ordinances, laws, orders, plans and specifications are not being complied with and that the holder of the permit refuses to conform after written warning has been issued to him.
After the notice is served upon the persons as aforesaid and posted, it shall be unlawful for any person to proceed thereafter with any construction operation whatsoever on the premises, and the permit which has been so revoked shall be null and void, and before any construction or operation is again resumed, a new permit, as required by this chapter, shall be procured and fees paid therefor, and thereafter the resumption of any construction or operation shall be in compliance with the regulation of this chapter. However, such work as the Building Inspector may order as a condition precedent to the reissuance of the building permit may be performed, or such work as he/she may require for the preservation of life and safety.
Report of violations. Town officers shall report at once to the Building Inspector any building which is being carried on without a permit as required by this chapter.
State code adopted. The Administrative Code provisions describing and defining regulations with respect to one- and two-family dwellings in Chs. Comm 20 through 25 are hereby adopted and by reference made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein. Any act required to be performed or prohibited by an Administrative Code provision incorporated herein by reference is required or prohibited by this chapter. Any future amendments, revisions or modifications of the Administrative Code provisions incorporated herein are intended to be made part of this chapter to secure uniform statewide regulation of one- and two-family dwellings in this Town. A copy of these Administrative Code provisions and any future amendments shall be kept on file in the Town Clerk's office.
An existing structure is altered or repaired, when the cost of such alteration or repair during the life of the structure exceeds 50% of the equalized value of the structure, said value to be determined by the Town Assessor.
Additions and alterations, regardless of cost, made to an existing building when deemed necessary in the opinion of the Building Inspector shall comply with the requirements of this chapter for new buildings. The provisions of § 172-2 shall also apply.
Certified inspector to enforce. The Building Inspector and his/her delegated representatives are hereby authorized and directed to administer and enforce all of the provisions of the Uniform Dwelling Code. The Building Inspector shall be certified for inspection purposes by the Department in each of the categories specified under Ch. Comm 5, Wis. Adm. Code.
Portions of State Building Code adopted. Chapters Comm 61 through 65, Wis. Adm. Code (Wisconsin Commercial Building Code), are hereby adopted and made a part of this chapter with respect to those classes of buildings to which this Building Code specifically applies. Any future amendments, revisions and modifications of said Chs. Comm 61 to 65 incorporated herein are intended to be made a part of this code. A copy of said Chs. Comm 61 to 65 and amendments thereto shall be kept on file in the office of the Building Inspector.
State Plumbing Code adopted. The provisions and regulations of Ch. 145, Wis. Stats., and Chs. Comm 25 and 81 to 87, Wis. Adm. Code, are hereby made a part of this chapter by reference and shall extend over and govern the installation of all plumbing installed, altered or repaired in the Town. Any further amendments, revisions and modifications of said Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code incorporated herein are intended to be made part of this chapter.
Chapter Comm 16, Wis. Adm. Code, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this chapter and shall apply to the construction and inspection of new one- and two-family dwellings and additions or modifications to existing one- and two-family dwellings.
Conflicts. If, in the opinion of the Building Inspector and the Town Board, the provisions of the State Building Code adopted by Subsection A of this section shall conflict with the provisions of the Federal Housing Administration standards in their application to any proposed building or structure, the Inspector and/or the Town shall apply the most stringent provisions in determining whether or not the proposed building meets the requirements of this section.
Contractor electrical employees. Employees of a contractor may do electrical work, provided that during the first three years of such employment the electrical work is done under direct, daily, on-site supervision by a journeyman or master employed by the contractor.
Homeowner. A homeowner himself or herself may do electrical work on a single-family dwelling, if he or she owns and occupies it as his or her permanent residence, excluding duplex or multifamily residences, except that he/she may not repair or replace the electrical service subpanels in any building to such dwelling or generators or install electrical wiring to hot tubs, spas or swimming pools. A permit for any electrical work must be obtained, and the work must be inspected and approved in the same manner as required for a licensed electrician. In addition, if requested by the Inspector, a homeowner must demonstrate his or her ability to conform the work to all applicable rules and regulations by furnishing drawings or plans of the proposed work.
Plant certificate. An employee of a valid plant certified to perform electrical work at the plant may do electrical work on one- and two-family residences within the Town of Trenton.
State certificate. A person holding a valid electrical certificate from the State of Wisconsin.
All materials, methods of construction and devices designed for use in buildings or structures covered by this chapter and not specifically mentioned in or permitted by this chapter shall not be so used until approved in writing by the State Department of Commerce for use in buildings or structures covered by the Wisconsin State Building Code, except sanitary appliances, which shall be approved in accordance with the State Plumbing Code.
Such materials, methods of construction and devices, when approved, must be installed or used in strict compliance with the manufacturer's specifications and any rules or conditions of use established by the State Department of Commerce. The data, test and other evidence necessary to prove the merits of such material, method of construction or device shall be determined by the State Department of Commerce.
The purpose of the inspections under this chapter is to improve the quality of housing in the Town. The inspections and the reports and findings issued after the inspections are not intended as, nor are they to be construed as, a guarantee. In order to so advise owners and other interested persons, the following disclaimer shall be applicable to all inspections under this chapter: "These findings of inspection contained herein are intended to report conditions of noncompliance with code standards that are readily apparent at the time of inspection. The inspection does not involve a detailed examination of the mechanical systems or the closed structural and nonstructural elements of the building and premises. No warranty of the operation, use or durability of equipment and materials not specifically cited herein is expressed or implied."
Whenever the Building Inspector and Town Board find any building or part thereof within the Town to be, in their judgment, so old, dilapidated or out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human occupancy or use and so that it would be unreasonable to repair the same, they shall order the owner to raze and remove such building or part thereof or, if it can be made safe by repairs, to repair and make safe and sanitary, or to raze and remove at the owner's option. Such order and proceedings shall be as provided in § 66.0413, Wis. Stats.
No building within the Town of Trenton shall be razed without a permit from the Building Inspector. A snow fence or other approved barricade shall be provided as soon as any portion of the building is removed and shall remain during razing operations. After all razing operations have been completed, the foundation shall be filled at least one foot above the adjacent grade, the property raked clean, and all debris hauled away. Razing permits shall lapse and be void unless the work authorized thereby is commenced within six months from the date thereof or completed within 30 days from the date of commencement of said work. Any unfinished portion of work remaining beyond the required 30 days must have special approval from the Building Inspector.
All debris must be hauled away at the end of each day for the work that was done on that day. Combustible material shall not be used for backfill but shall be hauled away. There shall not be any burning of materials on the site of the razed building. If any razing or removal operation under this section results in, or would likely result in, an excessive amount of dust particles in the air creating a nuisance in the vicinity thereof, the permittee shall take all necessary steps, by use of water spraying or other appropriate means, to eliminate such nuisance. The permittee shall take all necessary steps, prior to the razing of a building, through the employment of a qualified person in the field of pest control or by other appropriate means, to treat the building as to prevent the spread and migration of rodents and insects therefrom during and after the razing operations.
Fencing of excavations. The owner of any premises on which there exists an opening or excavation which is located in close proximity to a street right-of-way as to constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic shall erect a fence, wall or railing at least four feet high between such opening or excavation and the public right-of-way.
Closing of abandoned excavations. Any excavation for building purposes or any uncovered foundation which shall remain open for more than three months shall be deemed abandoned and a nuisance, and the Building Inspector shall order that unless the erection of the building or structure on the excavation or foundation shall commence or continue forthwith suitable safeguards shall be provided to prevent accidental injury to children or other frequenters or that the excavation or foundation be filled to grade. Such order shall be served upon the owner of record or the owner's agent, where an agent is in charge of the premises, and upon the holder of an encumbrance of record in the manner provided for service of a summons in the Circuit Court. If the owner or the holder of an encumbrance of record cannot be found, the order may be served by posting it on the premises and publication in the official newspaper for two consecutive publications at least 10 days before the time for compliance stated in the order commences to run. Such time shall be not less than 14 nor more than 20 days after service. If the owner of the land fails to comply with the order within the time required, the Building Inspector shall cause the excavation or foundation to be filled to grade. The cost of such abatement shall be charged against the real estate and entered on the next succeeding tax roll as a special charge and shall bear interest at a rate established by the Town Board from the date of the report by the Building Inspector on the cost thereof, pursuant to the provisions of § 66.0703, Wis. Stats.
Permission to be obtained. No person, firm or corporation shall remove or attempt to remove topsoil from any land within the Town of Trenton before first obtaining permission to do so from the Town Board.
Drainage a consideration in granting permission. When application for such permission is made it shall be the duty of the applicant to prove to the Town Board that the removal of topsoil from the area involved will not cause a drainage problem or otherwise create a public nuisance. If topsoil is removed without first obtaining permission to do so, it shall be conclusively presumed that such removal constitutes the commission and maintenance of a public nuisance which may be enjoined by the Town, by the county or by the owner of real estate within the Town.
Exception. This section shall not be construed to apply to the incidental removal of topsoil in connection with the excavation of a basement for a building, if such excavation has been otherwise duly authorized.
Nuisance. The discharge into a sanitary sewer from any roof drain, surface drain, subsoil drain, drain from any mechanical device, gutter, ditch, pipe, conduit, sump pump or any other object or thing used for the purposes of collecting, conducting, transporting, diverting, draining or discharging clear water from any part of any private premises is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a hazard to the health, safety and well-being of the residents of the Town and to the protection of the property.
No person shall move any building or structure upon any of the public ways of the Town without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Building Inspector and upon the payment of the required fee. Every such permit issued by the Building Inspector for the moving of a building shall designate the route to be taken and the conditions to be complied with and shall limit the time during which said moving operations shall be continued.
A report shall be made by Town employees with regard to possible damage to trees. The estimated cost of trimming, removal and replacement of public trees, as determined by the Town, shall be paid to the Town Clerk prior to issuance of the moving permit.
Issuance of the moving permit shall further be conditioned on approval of the moving route by the Town Board.
Street repair. Every person receiving a permit to move a building shall, within one day after said building reaches its destination, report that fact to the Building Inspector, inspect the streets, highways and curbs and gutters over which said building has been moved and ascertain their condition. If the removal of said building has caused any damage to any street or highway, the person to whom the permit was issued shall forthwith place it in as good repair as it was before the permit was granted. On the failure of said permittee to do so within 10 days thereafter to the satisfaction of the Town Board, the Town shall repair the damage done to such streets and hold the person obtaining such permit and the sureties on his/her bond responsible for the payment of the same.
Conformance with code. No permit shall be issued to move a building within or into the Town and to establish it upon a location within said Town until the Building Inspector has made an investigation of such building at the location from which it is to be moved and is satisfied from such investigation that said building is in a sound and stable condition and of such construction that it will meet the requirements of this Building Code in all respects. A complete plan of all further repairs, improvements and remodeling with reference to such building shall be submitted to the Building Inspector, and he/she shall make a finding of fact to the effect that all such repairs, improvements and remodeling are in conformity with the requirements of this Building Code and that, when the same are completed, the building as such will so comply with said Building Code. In the event a building is to be moved from the Town to some point outside the boundaries thereof, the provisions with respect to the furnishing of plans and specifications for proposed alterations to such building may be disregarded.
Before a permit is issued to move any building over any public way in the Town, the party applying therefor shall give a bond to the Town of Trenton in a sum to be fixed by the Building Inspector and which shall not be less than $1,000, said bond to be executed by a corporate surety or two personal sureties to be approved by the Town Board or designated agent, conditioned upon, among other things, the indemnification to the Town for any costs or expenses incurred by it in connection with any claims for damages to any persons or property and the payment of any judgment together with the costs and expenses incurred by the Town in connection therewith arising out of the removal of the building for which the permit is issued.
All basement and storage areas.
If sleeping areas are separated, the number of detection devices installed shall be that deemed sufficient by the Fire Inspector to protect each sleeping area.
A group of rooms constituting all or part of a dwelling which are arranged, designed, used or intended for use exclusively as living quarters.
Exemption. This section shall not apply to owner-occupied single-family dwelling units, owner-occupied mobile homes or premises containing two or fewer dwelling units.
Installation of all devices shall be according to the manufacturer's specifications.
All smoke- and heat-detection devices shall be installed in locations approved by the Fire Inspector as meeting the installation standards of the National Fire Protection Association NFPA Standards Pamphlet, No. 72E, 1974 Edition, and Pamphlet No. 74, 1975 Edition.
All smoke- and heat-detection devices shall bear the Underwriters' Laboratories seal of approval or Factory Mutual approval. All smoke-detection devices shall meet the Underwriters' Laboratories Standard 217. At least one smoke- or heat-detection device shall be installed for every dwelling unit located so as to protect sleeping areas.
In premises having multiple dwelling units, additional devices connected to the building alarm system, if any, shall be installed in every corridor serving one or more dwelling units and on every separate level of the building regardless of whether a sleeping area is located on such level. If a local fire alarm system is not provided or required, detection devices shall be connected to a signal outside of the enclosed area which shall be audible throughout the entire building.
In premises having multiple dwelling units, in addition to smoke detectors in every living unit, all storage areas shall be protected with heat-sensing devices. These devices shall be connected to the building fire alarm system. If a local fire alarm system is not required, such device shall be connected to a signal outside of the enclosure which will be audible throughout the entire building. Heat-sensing devices shall be installed in place according to good engineering practice, but in no case shall detectors be spaced more than 30 feet on center and 15 feet from any wall.
Heat-sensing devices shall be installed in all furnace, boiler and incinerator rooms in a premises having multiple dwelling units.
Owner responsible for installation of and maintenance. The owner of the premises having multiple dwelling units shall be responsible for the installation and/or maintenance of smoke- and heat-detection devices required by this section unless the Fire Chief is notified in writing by registered mail of the designation of some other authorized, qualified individual to assume that responsibility and approval of this designation is given in writing by said Fire Chief.
Time for installation. Detection devices required by this section shall be installed within six months of the effective date of this section, except that existing premises are not required to install devices which are interconnected to signals outside of the enclosure in which they are placed.
Required posting of address numbers. Each owner of a property for which a building permit has been issued shall be assigned an address number (also known as a "fire number") for the property. The address sign for the address number shall be supplied by the Town of Trenton at the time of issuance of a building permit. It shall be the property owner's duty to display and maintain said address sign after the issuance of an occupancy permit for the premises. Should an original Town-issued address sign be destroyed or lost, the property owner shall order and pay for a replacement address sign from the Town of Trenton within 30 days.
Requirements for display of numbers. The numbers described in Subsection A above shall be displayed so that they are clearly visible from the street or highway. The numbers shall be mounted on a post located on the right side of the driveway not more than 10 feet from the road right-of-way.
Failure to display numbers. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove such designated numbers once an occupancy permit has been granted.
Penalty. Any person who fails to display a Town of Trenton issued address sign in conformance with this section shall receive a written notice of the violation pursuant to § 174-22B(2). If the violation is not corrected within the prescribed time, the violator shall be subject to a forfeiture as provided in Chapter 1, § 1-5, of this Code. A property owner who provides proof of order for a replacement address sign through the Town of Trenton shall not be found in violation of this section.
No person, firm or corporation shall construct any building or part of building in the Town of Trenton either for his/her own account or for others unless he/she provides a lugger-type receptacle on the premises where construction occurs for the containment of scraps of lumber, concrete block, and other debris incidental to construction, and all such debris shall be placed in such container by him/her.
One-story single-family residential house. Each one-story single-family residential house shall contain at least 1,300 square feet of heated living area if said house has a full basement. If said house does not have a full basement, it shall have at least 1,600 square feet of heated living area.
One-and-one-half-story single-family residential house. Each one-and-one-half-story single-family residential house shall contain at least 1,300 square feet of heated living area in addition to a full basement and shall have at least 950 square feet of said heated living area on the first floor.
Requirement. No person shall construct any driveway in the public right-of-way without installing a culvert. Included within the scope of this requirement are driveways providing field access to agricultural lands and residential and commercial driveways. The culverts shall be placed in the ditch line at elevations that will assure proper drainage. Culverts shall be installed wherever a roadway intercepts a natural waterway and flow in such a manner that no correction or runoff of water will be allowed. The property owner shall install the culvert and be responsible for the cost thereof. All culverts shall be constructed of galvanized steel and be a minimum of 15 inches in diameter and 24 feet in length, to be sized by the Building Inspector. End guards are required for all residential culverts. If a property owner refuses, the Town may install the culverts and charge back the cost thereof as a special charge pursuant to § 66.0627, Wis. Stats.
Driveway/culvert permit required. Specifications and requirements for the proper installation of driveways and culverts in the public right-of-way of any street, road or highway shall be provided upon application for a driveway/culvert permit. Before installing a driveway/culvert, a permit must first be obtained from the Building Inspector. The request for such permit shall be on the Town of Trenton's application forms, signed by the owner of the real estate affected or his/her agent, and shall include design specifications and a drawing depicting the location and orientation of the proposed culvert in relationship to the real estate involved and the adjacent road, street or highway.
Appeals. Persons may appeal the determination of the Building Inspector to the Town Board by filing a written appeal request with the Town Clerk within five days of the Building Inspector's decision. The Town Board may only waive the requirement for a culvert upon a finding that unique characteristics of the location in question render a culvert unnecessary.
For residential properties, a minimum of 10 feet at the lot line and a maximum of 25 feet at the roadway.
For agricultural properties, a minimum of 18 feet at the lot line and a maximum of 35 feet at the roadway.
For commercial properties, a minimum of 35 feet at the lot line and a maximum of 50 feet at the roadway.
Proximity to intersection. No driveway shall be closer than 75 feet to an intersection of two streets. At street intersections, a driveway shall not provide direct ingress or egress to or from the street intersection area and shall not occupy areas of the roadway deemed necessary by the Town for effective traffic control or for highway signs or signals.
Setbacks. Driveways must be located at least three feet from all lot lines and extensions thereof.
Islands. Islands between driveway openings shall be provided with a minimum of six feet between all driveway culverts.
Driveway aprons. No driveway apron shall extend out into the street farther than the near edge of the Town road pavement, and under no circumstances shall such driveway apron extend above any road pavement surface. All driveway entrances and approaches shall be so constructed as not to interfere with the drainage of streets, side ditches or roadside areas or with any existing structure on the right-of-way.
Utilities. Driveways shall in all cases be placed wherever possible as to not interfere with utilities in place. Any costs of relocating utilities shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Approval of the Town is necessary for relocating utilities.
Pavement materials. Driveway pavement materials within the Town right of-way shall be compatible with adjacent Town pavement material, limiting it to crushed gravel, crushed rock and bituminous products. Concrete pavement shall end a minimum of 10 feet from the Town road pavement. Oil and petroleum products shall not be used in the right-of-way areas where it can be tracked onto and affect the Town highway. The bottom course of the driveway may be constructed of large-size crushed stones or rock, except along that part adjacent to the culvert pipe and the upper course, at least, shall consist of medium well-graded crushed gravel or fine to medium well-graded crushed rock. In no case shall the granular material or subsequent permanent surfacing be constructed higher than the adjacent highway pavement. The construction of the driveway shall be of acceptable material and provided in a neat, workmanlike manner. Driveway surfaces shall connect with the roadway pavement in a neat, workmanlike manner.
Number of driveway openings. The maximum number of driveway openings for vehicular ingress and egress permitted for lots shall be one. Agricultural parcels upon which actual agricultural activities are practiced may average one driveway per field.
Brush clearance. All brush, trees, shrubs, and vegetation of any kind shall be cleared and cut back a minimum of six feet from each side of the center line of the driveway and a minimum of 12 feet above the driveway and for the entire length of the driveway, including the access point with the Town roadway.
Regulation of the construction of a driveway serving more than one parcel of land. No person, firm, partnership, company, or corporation shall construct or permit to be constructed within the Town any driveway arranged or planned to serve more than one parcel of land used for residential purposes, unless approval shall first be obtained from the Town, following approval of the plans providing such information as location, width, and general plans for such driveway by the Town Board. Consideration by the Town shall include, but shall not be limited to, the road access requirements of § 350-21 of this Code and any amendment thereto. A shared driveway shall serve a maximum of two parcels.
Permit required. No person, persons, partnership, company, or corporation shall erect or install any driveway, landscaping, structure, sign, fence, wall, pavement or other vehicular access, nor perform or arrange for any construction within or upon the Town highway right-of-way, without first obtaining a written permit from the Town, with the exception of a mailbox and boxes installed for the delivery of newspapers.
Mailboxes. Mailboxes shall be installed in accordance with the United States Postal Service Regulations, but as far from the Town highway pavement as those regulations allow. Mailbox supports and attachments shall be strong enough to withstand the pressure and thrusts of plowed, wet snow but shall not be so formidable and massive as to damage vehicles and cause serious injury to people who may accidentally strike them.
Address numbers. Address numbers, also known as fire numbers, shall be installed pursuant to § 174-15, and any amendments or changes thereto, of this chapter.
Existing structures and obstructions. Any existing landscaping, structure, sign, fence, wall, pavement or other obstruction, including trees and vegetation, which, in the judgment of the Town, will prevent proper snow removal from the pavement and shoulders or mowing of the ditches of the Town highway shall be removed by the owner or occupant of the adjacent property within 15 days of receiving written notice therefor from the Town. If the owner or occupant does not remove said structure or obstruction within the allotted time, the Town shall remove or make arrangements to have the obstruction removed and the expense of removal shall be charged to the adjacent property as a special assessment, after notice and hearing.
Violations. Any person, persons, partnerships, company, or corporation who or which violates any provision in this section shall pay, when a permit fee is required, double the specified fee and shall remove, alter or correct the installation as ordered by the Town. If the owner or occupant does not correct the installation as ordered by the Town within the allotted time, correcting the installation shall be done by the Town and the expense thereof shall be charged to the property as a special assessment after notice and hearing.
Permittee liable for damage or injury. The permittee shall assume all responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property resulting directly or indirectly during construction or repair of driveway approaches or entrances and during any installation or construction of any landscaping or structure of any kind within the highway right-of-way.
Fees shall be as set forth in the schedule of deposits, bonds and fees. The current schedule is on file at the Town Clerk's office.
Any building or structure hereafter erected, enlarged, altered or repaired or any use hereafter established in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed an unlawful building, structure or use. The Building Inspector shall promptly report all such violations to the Town Board and Town Attorney, who shall bring an action to enjoin the erection, enlargement, alteration, repair or moving of such building or structure or the establishment of such use of buildings in violation of this chapter or to cause such building, structure or use to be removed, and such violation may also be subject to a penalty as provided in Chapter 1, § 1-5 of this Code. In any such action, the fact that a permit was issued shall not constitute a defense, nor shall any error, oversight or dereliction of duty on the part of the Building Inspector or other Town officials constitute a defense. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter may also be enforced by injunctional order at the suit of the owner or owners of any real estate within the jurisdiction of this chapter.
If an inspection reveals a noncompliance with this chapter or the Uniform Dwelling Code, the Building Inspector shall notify the applicant and the owner, in writing, of the violation to be corrected. All cited violations shall be corrected within 30 days after written notification unless an extension of time is granted pursuant to § Comm 20.10(1)(c), Wis. Adm. Code.
Each day each violation continues after the thirty-day written notice period has run shall constitute a separate offense. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the Town from maintaining any appropriate action to prevent or remove a violation of any provision of this chapter or the Uniform Dwelling Code.
Any person feeling aggrieved by an order or a determination of the Building Inspector may appeal from such order or determination to the Board of Adjustment. Those procedures customarily used to effectuate an appeal to the Board of Adjustment shall apply.
Except as may otherwise be provided by statute or ordinance, no officer, agent or employee of the Town of Trenton charged with the enforcement of this chapter shall render himself/herself personally liable for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his/her duties under this chapter. Any suit brought against any officer, agent or employee of the Town as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his/her duties under this chapter shall be defended by the legal representative of the Town until the final determination of the proceedings therein.

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