About Us
Activity Groups
Related Programs
Online Help
Waterway & Wetland Permits: Pilings
“I want to place pilings in my waterway. Do I need to obtain a permit and/or pay a fee?” Installing pilings in a navigable waterway is exempt from permit requirements, provided your projects meets certain standards and is not in a specially-designated water. For projects in designated waters, a general permit is available. Note that pilings may not be used for mooring a boat except in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the Mississippi River.
Please be aware that pilings can only be placed for two purposes: to protect a structure from ice damage, OR to provide a pivot point for turning watercraft.
DNR Photo
|
Follow the steps below before starting your project. |
Step 1
Determine if your waterway has a special designation that might affect the exemption or permit requirements.
Visit the search page below, enter the information about your waterway, and record any designations that it may have.
If you have questions about using the Designated Waters Search tool, you may visit our Designated Waters Search Tutorial to learn how.
Step 2
Determine if your project is exempt.
Pilings are generally exempt from permit requirements. This exemption is not available for waters designated as “ areas of special natural resource interest” (ASNRI).
If your project will not be in an ASNRI, you may qualify for an exemption if your project meets specific standards. Click on the checklist below to help you determine if your project qualifies for an exemption.
If you would like assistance from the DNR to determine if an activity is eligible for an exemption, download and print the Exemption Determination Request [PDF 25KB], or obtain the form at your local DNR Service Center. Fill in all of the requested information, sign the form, and submit it by mail or FAX to the address on the form. You will receive a response within 15 days of our receipt of your request (provided the owner of the project site has signed the form).
If your project is not exempt, you'll need to apply for a General Permit or an Individual Permit.
Step 3
To determine if your project qualifies for a General Permit or an Individual Permit, please review the permit standards found in the application materials to see if your project will qualify.
If you qualify, send the completed application attachment, along with the Water Resources Application for Project Permits (WRAPP) [#3500-053, PDF 46KB] cover sheet , fee and Fee Sheet [#3500-053A, PDF 93KB], to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page. Please note: if you are applying for more than one permit, you only need to include one WRAPP cover sheet with your application materials. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.
In addition, don't forget to look at the sample drawings listed near the bottom of this page to ensure that your plans submitted with your application have all the necessary components for review. Otherwise your application may be delayed.
If your project cannot meet the General Permit standards please apply for an individual permit.
Send the completed application materials, along with the fee and Fee Sheet [#3500-053A, PDF 93KB], to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page. Please note: if you are applying for more than one permit, you only need to include one WRAPP cover sheet with your application materials. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.
In addition, don't forget to look at the sample drawings listed near the bottom of this page to ensure that your plans submitted with your application have all the necessary components for review. Otherwise your application may be delayed.
|
How do I save and open the permit materials in ZIP format? • General Permit Attachment: Pilings [ZIP 303KB] • Individual Permit Application: Pilings [ZIP 538KB] |
Pilings Permit Sample Drawings:
Pilings Permit Exemption Materials:
|
Please send your completed application materials to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page.
Laws
Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.12, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 329, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 42KB].
Local permits and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations may also apply. We advise you to contact your local zoning office and your regional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office [exit DNR].
RSS