Racine County Public Works & Development Services, Public Works (Highway Permits)

County Trunk Highway Access (Driveway) Permit — Commercial

County Code § 16-146(b) requires a permit from the county before anyone constructs or uses an access point onto a county trunk highway or alters ditches, culverts, pavement or other features in the right-of-way, and charges fees 'as prescribed by the annual budget process or by subsequent resolution'. This applies to a business site taking driveway access from a county trunk highway anywhere in the county, and to contractors working in that right-of-way. The county's Proposed Fee Schedule for the 2027 fiscal year lists, under 'Access (driveway) Permits', a 2026 fee of $500 for commercial access serving under 50,000 sq ft of floor space and $750 for over 50,000 sq ft, with the same amounts proposed for 2027. The Highway Permit Fees list ('Fee List 2024'), still linked as the 'Highway Permit Fee Schedule' on the Public Works Highway Permits page, gives the same amounts with the thresholds '50,000 square feet or less' and '50,001 square feet or more', $250 each for structures, utility infrastructure or vegetation in the highway, and no fee to repair an existing permitted access. The list states the fee is refunded if the county cannot permit the work. Contact Public Works at 262-886-8440.