Shoreland-Wetland Zoning Standards

The minimum standards for shoreland-wetland zoning ordinances are found in Chapter NR 115, Wis. Admin. Code for counties, and in Chapter NR 117, Wis. Admin. Code, for cities and villages.

While the standards vary slightly between Chapter NR 115 and NR 117, the following uses are generally permitted in shoreland-wetlands:

• Recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, trapping, and hiking,
• Forestry,
• Harvesting wild crops,
• Pasturing livestock,
• Agricultural cultivation, including maintenance of existing drainage systems,
• Limited construction of small buildings needed to support open space or wetland preservation projects,
• Pier, dock and walkway construction,
• Development of parks, recreational areas, and fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects,
• Limited utility construction,
• Limited road construction for farming and forestry, and
• Limited railroad construction.

It is important to remember than if an activity is not listed as a permitted use in the zoning ordinance, it is prohibited. Generally, draining, dredging, filling and flooding are not permitted in shoreland-wetlands. Under certain conditions where these activities are associated with a permitted use, they may be allowed to a limited extent.

In addition to these zoning provisions, state or federals regulations may also apply to activities in wetlands. Be sure to get all required permits before starting any projects in a wetland.

For more information, contact:
Shoreland Program Manager
Bureau of Watershed Management
(608) 261-6430