Creating an Effective Shoreland Zoning Ordinance:

A Summary of Wisconsin´s Shoreland Zoning Ordinances
Publication Number WT-542-00, 2000

WT-542-00 [PDF 3.2MB] - Entire Document
Preface [PDF 488KB] - Table of Contents and Introduction
Chapter 1 [PDF 64KB] - Creating an Effective Shoreland Zoning Ordinance
Chapter 2 [PDF 450KB] - Shoreland Zoning Ordinance Summaries
Chapter 3 [PDF 208KB] - Shoreland Lots
Chapter 4 [PDF 198KB] - Shoreland Setbacks
Chapter 5 [PDF 111KB] - Impervious Surface Area
Chapter 6 [PDF 128KB] - Accessory Structures
Chapter 7 [PDF 275KB] - Boathouses
Chapter 8 [PDF 191KB] - Piers and Dockominiums
Chapter 9 [PDF 110KB] - Shoreland Walkways
Chapter 10 [PDF 255KB] - Shoreline Vegetation Protection
Chapter 11 [PDF 196KB] - Nonconforming Structures
Chapter 12 [PDF 175KB] - Shoreland Mitigation
Chapter 13 [PDF 191KB] - Wetland Protection
Chapter 14 [PDF 140KB] - Land Disturbance
Chapter 15 [PDF 106KB] - Bluffs and Unstable Soil

This document is intended to provide a summary of Wisconsin county shoreland zoning ordinances. These summaries are not to be used in lieu of any specific ordinance. For any questions relating to site specific concerns, please refer to the official shoreland zoning ordinance for the county of concern or contact the zoning department for that county.

This guide does not attempt to determine which approaches are right or wrong, but tries to address the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods. The final determination of what method is appropriate will vary with each community´s intent and goals. We encourage information sharing. If within this document, you find an innovative approach to a situation your community is facing, please contact the county involved to find out the benefits and practical limitations.

Since zoning ordinances are often amended to reflect the needs of their community, this publication will be periodically updated as well. To assist in determining the timeliness of various ordinances, each county ordinance summary has the date of the last amendment in the bottom right corner. Please keep in mind that the ordinance you are looking at may be out-of-date.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement CD 985477-01-1 to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

Although the summaries found in this publication have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information contained in this publication. To be certain of the accuracy of summaries or quotations contained in this publication, please consult the official shoreland zoning ordinances that are cited for each county.

For more information, contact:
Gregg Breese
(608) 261-6430

Return to Shoreland Program´s main Web page.