Retaining Wall Permit Requirements in Village of Coleman, WI
The Village of Coleman is a small chartered village (~726 population per 2020 census) in southern Marinette County, Wisconsin. The village handles its own zoning permits and may contract building inspection through a third-party Wisconsin DSPS-certified UDC inspector (common pattern for small WI villages). For unincorporated parcels in 54112 (which extends into the Town of Pound and surrounding rural townships), Marinette County Zoning Office at 1926 Hall Avenue in Marinette, (715) 732-7535, is the AHJ. Wisconsin has a STRONG STATEWIDE code framework administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS): the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC), Wis. Admin. Code SPS 320-325, base referenced to the 2015 IRC with extensive Wisconsin amendments; SPS 361-366 for commercial (2015 IBC base); SPS 316 for electrical (NEC 2017 statewide); SPS 382-387 for plumbing (Wisconsin's OWN plumbing code, NOT IPC); SPS 322 for residential energy. IECC Climate Zone 6A (cold-humid) for southern Marinette County. Standard frost depth per SPS 321.16(1)(a) is the deeper of frost penetration or 48 inches. Wisconsin contractor licensing is handled by DSPS: Dwelling Contractor Certification + Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (DCQ) for general contractors, Master and Journeyman Electrician licenses, Master and Journeyman Plumber licenses. Distinctive features for 54112 / Coleman / southern Marinette County projects: (1) RURAL AGRICULTURAL DOMINANCE — the area around Coleman is mostly farmland and small woodlots; rolling agricultural zoning allows by-right residential and agricultural construction with minimal setbacks. (2) PESHTIGO RIVER WATERSHED — drainage flows north toward the Peshtigo River; floodplain provisions per Wisconsin NR 116 apply along the river corridor. (3) POWTS (PRIVATE SEPTIC) — most non-village parcels use Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS) regulated under SPS 383-385; system installers must hold a DSPS Master Plumber Restricted Service license; Marinette County Health Department issues sanitary permits separately from building permits. (4) WIS DOT DRIVEWAY PERMITS — driveways onto state-maintained routes (US-141, US-41, STH-64) require Wisconsin Department of Transportation Trans 231 entrance permits. (5) WPS / We Energies — the area is served by Wisconsin Public Service (WPS, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group) for both electric and gas. (6) HEAVY SNOW LOADS — design ground snow load of approximately 50 psf per ASCE 7 maps for southern Marinette County. (7) RURAL VOLUNTEER FIRE — most fire response is volunteer-based; site access for emergency vehicles should be planned at design time. (8) HISTORIC PESHTIGO FIRE (1871) AREA — broader north WI / Marinette County context for forest-fire awareness.
By Joey, Founder · Last verified May 1, 2026 · How we research →
When you don’t need a Retaining Wall permit in Village of Coleman
Retaining walls 48 inches or less in retained height typically don't require a building permit. Walls within 300 ft of OHWM may need NR 115 / shoreland approval.
When you need a Retaining Wall permit in Village of Coleman
Retaining walls over 48 inches require an engineered design and a building permit under Wisconsin UDC SPS 321. Wisconsin frost depth (48 inches) makes proper drainage and footing design critical to prevent winter heaving.
Retaining Wall Permit Costs: Village of Coleman vs. Nearby
Village of Coleman comes in on the low side for Wisconsin. You're looking at $150 – $600 here, compared to the state average of $198 – $792.
| City | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Village of Coleman | $150 – $600 |
| Milwaukee | $150 – $600 |
| Madison | $150 – $600 |
| Green Bay | $150 – $600 |
Fees shown are estimates based on local building code data. Actual fees may vary based on project scope and valuation. See all Village of Coleman permit costs →
Zoning Considerations
Retaining walls near property lines may require zoning setback review. Walls that significantly change the grade of a property may need additional zoning approval.
Estimated Project Timeline in Village of Coleman
Here's a typical timeline for a retaining wall project in Village of Coleman, WI:
Timeline is based on Village of Coleman's typical about 2 weeks permit processing time. Actual timelines vary by project complexity, completeness of application, and current department workload.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Estimated permit fees for Retaining Wall projects in Village of Coleman, WI range from $150 – $600. Fees vary based on project scope and valuation.
It depends on the specifics of your project. Some smaller Retaining Wall projects may be exempt from permit requirements, while larger ones typically require a permit. Use our free lookup tool to check your specific situation.
Working without a required permit in Village of Coleman can result in fines, stop-work orders, being required to remove completed work, and complications when selling your home. It's always best to check first.
Typical approval time for Retaining Wall permits in Village of Coleman is about 2 weeks. More complex projects may take longer if plan review is required.
Learn More About Retaining Wall Permits
Read our complete guide covering permit requirements, costs, common exemptions, and the application process.
Read Retaining Wall Guide →