Homesteading in Wisconsin
Explore 72 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin uses a Riparian water rights system , enforces statewide IRC building codes , and requires a carry permit. The effective property tax rate is 1.51%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Riparian
Follows riparian doctrine modified by the Great Lakes Compact. High capacity wells (over 100,000 gallons per day) require DNR approval.
Statute: Wis. Stat. § 281.34; Wis. Stat. § 281.35
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: Yes (statewide)
Uniform Dwelling Code applies statewide for one and two-family dwellings. Administered by DSPS.
Statute: Wis. Stat. § 101.65 et seq.
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: No
Concealed carry license required. Open carry legal without a permit. No permit required for purchase. 48-hour waiting period for handguns.
Statute: Wis. Stat. § 175.60
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects agricultural operations from nuisance claims if the operation conforms to applicable state and federal laws. Coming to the nuisance defense available for farms predating nearby development.
Statute: Wis. Stat. § 823.08
Counties in Wisconsin
72 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 20,730 | $168,400 | $2,291 | 65 | Relatively Low |
| Ashland County | 16,041 | $143,500 | $2,268 | 56 | Very Low |
| Barron County | 46,683 | $182,600 | $2,728 | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Bayfield County | 16,214 | $214,700 | $2,412 | 56 | Very Low |
| Brown County | 268,393 | $226,500 | $3,499 | 63 | Relatively Moderate |
| Buffalo County | 13,329 | $182,900 | $2,815 | 64 | Very Low |
| Burnett County | 16,561 | $200,800 | $2,047 | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Calumet County | 52,361 | $234,000 | $3,693 | 65 | Very Low |
| Chippewa County | 66,254 | $215,300 | $2,704 | 61 | Relatively Low |
| Clark County | 34,703 | $153,000 | $2,419 | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Columbia County | 58,272 | $243,600 | $3,738 | 67 | Relatively Moderate |
| Crawford County | 16,123 | $160,300 | $2,842 | 68 | Relatively Low |
| Dane County | 559,891 | $342,900 | $6,103 | 68 | Relatively Moderate |
| Dodge County | 89,032 | $201,000 | $3,351 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Door County | 30,038 | $273,300 | $3,053 | 61 | Relatively Low |
| Douglas County | 44,092 | $174,900 | $2,548 | 56 | Relatively Low |
| Dunn County | 45,221 | $212,000 | $3,231 | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Eau Claire County | 105,697 | $226,400 | $3,374 | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Florence County | 4,574 | $158,400 | $2,070 | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Fond du Lac County | 104,027 | $195,800 | $3,276 | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Forest County | 9,239 | $160,100 | $1,968 | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Grant County | 51,842 | $173,400 | $2,698 | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Green County | 37,066 | $217,000 | $3,759 | 70 | Relatively Low |
| Green Lake County | 19,093 | $186,100 | $2,641 | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Iowa County | 23,766 | $231,300 | $3,763 | 69 | Very Low |
| Iron County | 6,136 | $144,100 | $1,761 | 57 | Very Low |
| Jackson County | 20,958 | $170,000 | $2,635 | 64 | Relatively Low |
| Jefferson County | 85,932 | $238,300 | $3,914 | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Juneau County | 26,695 | $153,700 | $2,459 | 65 | Relatively Low |
| Kenosha County | 168,693 | $234,700 | $4,132 | 70 | Relatively Moderate |
| Kewaunee County | 20,570 | $191,500 | $2,940 | 63 | Very Low |
| La Crosse County | 120,216 | $226,600 | $3,855 | 65 | Relatively Low |
| Lafayette County | 16,716 | $166,700 | $2,947 | 70 | Very Low |
| Langlade County | 19,512 | $138,000 | $1,941 | 61 | Relatively Low |
| Lincoln County | 28,402 | $163,700 | $2,522 | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Manitowoc County | 81,242 | $160,400 | $2,648 | 65 | Relatively Low |
| Marathon County | 137,820 | $194,500 | $3,098 | 62 | Relatively Moderate |
| Marinette County | 41,827 | $142,300 | $1,895 | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Marquette County | 15,619 | $189,500 | $2,712 | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Menominee County | 4,279 | $104,300 | $3,930 | 62 | Very Low |
| Milwaukee County | 933,063 | $200,000 | $4,313 | 69 | Relatively High |
| Monroe County | 46,208 | $184,000 | $2,780 | 65 | Relatively Low |
| Oconto County | 39,048 | $195,200 | $2,579 | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Oneida County | 37,799 | $214,700 | $2,093 | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Outagamie County | 190,611 | $224,100 | $3,481 | 64 | Relatively Low |
| Ozaukee County | 91,745 | $344,900 | $4,536 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Pepin County | 7,363 | $178,500 | $2,818 | 63 | Very Low |
| Pierce County | 42,187 | $278,700 | $4,496 | 62 | Very Low |
| Polk County | 45,128 | $222,800 | $2,919 | 60 | Relatively Low |
| Portage County | 70,281 | $214,700 | $3,268 | 63 | Relatively Low |
| Price County | 14,066 | $136,400 | $2,011 | 59 | Very Low |
| Racine County | 197,068 | $226,500 | $3,984 | 70 | Relatively Moderate |
| Richland County | 17,256 | $161,600 | $2,465 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Rock County | 163,817 | $193,000 | $3,499 | 70 | Relatively Moderate |
| Rusk County | 14,179 | $144,800 | $1,853 | 60 | Very Low |
| St. Croix County | 93,752 | $323,900 | $4,169 | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Sauk County | 65,664 | $227,500 | $3,550 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Sawyer County | 18,057 | $210,700 | $1,896 | 59 | Relatively Low |
| Shawano County | 40,848 | $166,900 | $2,528 | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Sheboygan County | 117,741 | $198,900 | $3,179 | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Taylor County | 19,979 | $168,800 | $2,611 | 61 | Very Low |
| Trempealeau County | 30,679 | $193,700 | $3,180 | 64 | Relatively Low |
| Vernon County | 30,811 | $192,800 | $2,794 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Vilas County | 23,146 | $255,700 | $2,122 | 58 | Relatively Low |
| Walworth County | 105,127 | $254,300 | $3,884 | 70 | Relatively Low |
| Washburn County | 16,685 | $196,900 | $2,276 | 58 | Very Low |
| Washington County | 136,842 | $293,300 | $3,771 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Waukesha County | 407,290 | $352,600 | $4,487 | 69 | Relatively Moderate |
| Waupaca County | 51,822 | $178,500 | $2,874 | 63 | Relatively Low |
| Waushara County | 24,672 | $174,800 | $2,404 | 65 | Relatively Low |
| Winnebago County | 171,197 | $190,600 | $3,469 | 65 | Relatively Moderate |
| Wood County | 74,138 | $156,600 | $2,598 | 63 | Relatively Low |
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