Waterway & Wetland Permits: Pier Registration

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Thank you to everyone who submitted a registration form. We have received thousands of applications through this program so we will contact you directly if we have any questions. You will receive written confirmation when your registration is approved.

Piers are a popular focus for boating and waterfront recreation. What pier owners need to know is that they can continue to place their existing piers on the water, the same as they’ve been doing for years. We also have an interactive decision tool to help you determine if you will need to register or simply do nothing.

Pier Registration (e.g., Grandfathering) is available to those piers or wharves placed prior to February 6, 2004.

[VIDEO, Length 3:35].

Watch this video to learn how to measure your pier to determine if you need to register.

Do I Need To Submit a Registration Form?

You need to submit a registration form to be Grandfathered:

If your pier dock or wharf is over 6 ft wide

If your pier has an area over 6ft wide that IS NOT located at the waterward end

If your pier has an area over 6 ft wide that IS located at the waterward end AND that area is more than 8 ft wide (we call that area a loading platform)

If your pier or wharf does NOT meet the Pier Planner [PDF 809KB] or Piers Exemption Checklist [PDF 64KB] (e.g., cribbed piers, or solid piers).

Still have Questions?

Visit our NEW Pier FAQ to see answers to the most commonly asked questions about piers.

Decision Tool: Do I Need to Register?

Don't have Flash player? Visit our text version of the “Do I Need to Register” pier registration decision matrix instead.

How do I qualify to Register?

Once you submit your registration form, we will review it to determine if you qualify to register.

Our review is based on the following:

The EXISTING pier dock or wharf needs to have been in place since Feb 6, 2004

The pier or wharf cannot be greater than 8-feet wide, as measured across the shortest horizontal distance, to be eligible for registration. In addition, a pier can have an area as a loading platform located on the waterward end that is more than 8 feet wide. The loading platform can be: Up to 200 square feet; OR 200 to 300 square feet, if the platform is 10 feet wide or less.

After our review we will notify you if you qualify or not:

If you qualify to register, then you are finished with the registration process.

If you do not qualify to register, you can choose to modify your pier, dock, or wharf to be eligible to register or if your pier, dock, or wharf was placed before Feb 2004 you can apply for a FREE permit.

In addition, here are the current Pier registration materials:

Pier Registration Form [PDF 464KB]
Pier Register of Deeds Form [PDF 129KB]
Please use this form if you registered your pier and want to also register your pier with the Register of Deeds.
Piers Registration Sample Drawing [PDF 164KB]

All Pier registration materials need to be sent to the address on the form. Otherwise the processing of your materials may be delayed. Thank you.

Contact Us

For more information on piers, please email us at DNRpiers@wisconsin.gov.

Laws

Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.12, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB].

Local permits may also apply. We advise you to contact your local zoning office.

Last Revised: Thursday October 20 2011