Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to Section 23 - Permitted Uses within the Town of Wolcott Zoning Regulations (Begins on page 25 / 186 of the PDF).

Please refer to the Town of Wolcott Zoning Regulations and Section 25 - Area, Location and Bulk Standards for more information.

24.6 Farms, Truck Gardens, etc.: Farms, truck gardens, and the keeping of livestock and poultry and nurseries (including greenhouses incidental thereto) shall conform to the following standards and conditions: 24.6.1 Such agricultural activities shall be conducted on a lot of not less than 200,000 square feet. 24.6.2 Farms shall not include commercial piggeries or the commercial breeding and raising of mink, fox or other fur-bearing animals. 24.6.3 All farm buildings, enclosures and feed yards shall comply with the required setbacks for that District, except that the applicable setbacks for the R-130 District shall be those of the R-50 District. Pasture for livestock shall be enclosed by a suitable fence setback not less than 10 feet from any property or street line. 24.6.4 There shall be no commercial slaughtering nor fertilizer manufacturing or commercial reduction of animal matter. 24.6.5 Any greenhouse shall be located not less than 125 feet from any property or street line. 

24.7 Keeping and Raising of Livestock: The keeping and raising of livestock, specifically excluding pigs, fur-bearing animals and chickens and other fowl, is permitted as an accessory use to a dwelling unit subject to the following standards and conditions: 24.7.1 The lot shall contain a minimum area of 120,000 square feet. 24.7.2 There shall be not less than 40,000 square feet of land, suitable for grazing, for each head of livestock kept on the lot. 24.7.3 Any building used for the housing of livestock or manure shall be setback not less than 125 feet from any property or street line. 24.7.4 The area to be used for exercising or feeding of livestock shall be enclosed by suitable fencing, sufficient in height to contain said livestock, which enclosed areas shall not extend within any required setback area. Other pasture and/or grazing areas capable of maintaining grass cover may extend to within 10 feet of any side or rear property line, provided suitable grass cover is maintained. 24.7.5 All areas used by such livestock shall be maintained in a sanitary condition to the satisfaction of the Regional Health District. 

Zoning and building permits are needed.

Per the Zoning Regulations: 25.7.3 Swimming Pools: Swimming pools shall be subject to the following conditions: a. The pool shall be located so as to not affect on-site sewage disposal and/or water supply systems. b. The pool is located to the rear of the principal front wall of the dwelling, with a minimum setback of 10 feet from any property line other than a street line and 40 feet from any other street line. c. The setbacks shall be measured from the edge of any deck, pool apron or platform structure adjacent to the pool or otherwise from the exterior lip of the pool to the nearest property lines. 

Please refer to the Building Department page for some addition information. 

25.4.7 Fences, Walls and Terraces: The required setback distances shall not apply to fences or walls six (6) feet or less in height or to necessary retaining walls or to unroofed terraces, but no fence, wall or terrace shall be located within the right-of-way easement or taking line of any street. Any such fence, wall or terrace shall be set back at least one (1) foot from any property line, other than a street line, except that adjoining property owners may, by mutual agreement, agree to eliminate such set back. All fences and walls shall have the finished side facing the adjoining property and/or street.

25.7.1 Detached Private Garages: Detached private garages shall not exceed one story or 20 feet in height, whichever is less. No such garage structure shall have a ground floor area in excess of 650 square feet. A detached garage structure exceeding 650 square ft. of ground floor area and/or 20 feet in height may be permitted in conformity with the setbacks for a principle structure and subject to the approval of a Special Use Permit under the provisions of Section 31.