Best Places to Live in Wisconsin

Off-grid & homestead laws in Wisconsin

How Wisconsin treats the things that matter for living off-grid or homesteading. Scores feed the national rankings; rules often vary by county.

• Building-code freedomUniform Dwelling Code applies statewide to new 1-2 family dwellings.ICC / NAHB code-adoption summaries (2026) ↗statewide-mandatory
• Greywater reuseReuse standards based on end use; approval required.Greywater Action / EPA REUSExplorer (2026) ↗permitted
• Rainwater harvestingLegal for non-potable outdoor; tank not connected to public supply.NCSL (2026) ↗unrestricted
• Zoning / land-use freedomSmart-growth consistency law (land-use actions must match comp plan).American Planning Association / Lincoln Institute (2026) ↗some-state-oversight
• Water rightsReporting + GW permits above 100,000 gpd; domestic exempt.National Agricultural Law Center (2026) ↗regulated-riparian
• Right-to-farm protectionStandard with expansion coverage.National Agricultural Law Center (2026) ↗moderate
• Cottage-food / home sales$5k cap, baked goods only (court-permitted).Institute for Justice / Forrager (2026) ↗restrictive
• Property tax burdenMedian ~1.4% effective rate across 72 counties.Census ACS (county median) (2023) ↗high
• Income tax burdenGraduated, top 7.65%.Tax Foundation (2026) ↗graduated-high
• Homestead exemptionLottery & Gaming + School Levy credits (automatic).Lincoln Institute / state revenue departments (2026) ↗moderate

General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.

All 72 Wisconsin counties, ranked

1. 1Iron County70
2. 2Price County68
3. 3Taylor County67
4. 4Ashland County66
5. 5Pepin County65
6. 6Jackson County65
7. 7Rusk County64
8. 8Crawford County64
9. 9Lincoln County64
10. 10Menominee County63
11. 11Marquette County63
12. 12Buffalo County63
13. 13Clark County62
14. 14Bayfield County62
15. 15Langlade County62
16. 16Waushara County62
17. 17Washburn County61
18. 18Florence County61
19. 19Wood County61
20. 20Lafayette County61
21. 21Burnett County61
22. 22Kewaunee County60
23. 23Vernon County60
24. 24Grant County60
25. 25Adams County59
26. 26Chippewa County59
27. 27Juneau County59
28. 28Richland County59
29. 29Portage County59
30. 30Douglas County59
31. 31Iowa County59
32. 32Forest County59
33. 33Green County59
34. 34Green Lake County59
35. 35Monroe County59
36. 36Dunn County58
37. 37Trempealeau County58
38. 38Waupaca County58
39. 39Oneida County57
40. 40Pierce County57
41. 41Sawyer County56
42. 42Dodge County56
43. 43Calumet County56
44. 44Oconto County55
45. 45Shawano County55
46. 46Marinette County55
47. 47Polk County55
48. 48Marathon County55
49. 49Barron County55
50. 50Eau Claire County55
51. 51Manitowoc County54
52. 52Door County54
53. 53Fond du Lac County54
54. 54Sheboygan County53
55. 55La Crosse County53
56. 56Jefferson County53
57. 57Sauk County53
58. 58Vilas County53
59. 59St. Croix County52
60. 60Walworth County51
61. 61Columbia County50
62. 62Ozaukee County50
63. 63Rock County50
64. 64Kenosha County49
65. 65Washington County48
66. 66Winnebago County48
67. 67Racine County47
68. 68Outagamie County46
69. 69Brown County43
70. 70Milwaukee County42
71. 71Waukesha County42
72. 72Dane County41