Common Council Meeting - First Monday — Agenda Packet

Office of the Clerk/Treasurer W240 N3065 Pewaukee Road Pewaukee WI 53072 Phone: 262-691-0770 COMMON COUNCIL MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA Monday, July 6, 2026 6:30 PM Pewaukee City Hall Common Council Chambers W240N3065 Pewaukee Road, Pewaukee, WI 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance 2. Public Comment - Please limit your comments to two minutes. If further time for discussion is needed, please contact your District Alderperson prior to the meeting. 3. New Business 3.1 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Short Term Rental Licensing, Regulations and Enforcement within the City of Pewaukee [Brown / Tabbert] 4. Engineering 4.1 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding a Requested Easement from Midwest Fiber on PWC 0955-994-001 and PWC 0955-994-002 Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery [Wagner] 5. Plan Commission Reports and Recommendations 5.1 Discussion and Action Regarding a Certified Survey Map for T&M Waukesha, LLC to Combine Their Two Adjacent Properties Located at N4 W22610 Bluemound Road (PWC 0963-999-016 & PWC 0963-999-037) [Fuchs] 6. Consent Agenda 6.1 Approval of the Accounts Payable Listing Dated July 6, 2026 [Tarczewski] 6.2 Approve Ordinance 06-04 Sanitary Sewer Ordinance (Second Reading) [Wagner / Mueller] 7. Public Comment - Please limit your comments to two minutes. If further time for discussion is needed, please contact your District Alderperson prior to the meeting. 8. Adjournment Kelly Tarczewski Clerk/Treasurer July 2, 2026 Page 1 of 249 NOTICE It is possible that members of other governmental bodies of the municipality may be in attendance to gather information that may form a quorum at the above stated meeting. No action will be taken by any governmental body other than the governmental body specifically referred to above in this notice. Any person who has a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires the meeting or materials at the meeting to be in an accessible format must contact the Clerk/Treasurer, Kelly Tarczewski, at (262) 691-0770 three business days prior to the meeting so that arrangements may be made to accommodate your request. Page 2 of 249 A. B. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) C. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) City of Pewaukee, WI Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Chapter 221. Hotels, Tourist Cabins and Short-Term Rentals § 221-5. Operation of short-term rentals. No person may maintain, manage or operate a short-term rental more than 10 nights each license year without a short-term rental license. Every short-term rental shall be operated by a property owner or property manager. Each short-term rental property owner is required to have the following licenses, permits and inspections: A State of Wisconsin tourist rooming house license. A seller's permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. A license from the Waukesha County Parks and Land Use Department, Division of Environmental Health. A license from the City of Pewaukee issued pursuant to this chapter. An inspection of the premises, prior to issuance of a license and renewal of a license, shall be completed by the City's Fire Inspector, Building Inspector, and Electrical Inspector, and the property owner shall be subject to the minimum inspection fee for each inspection as dictated by the City's fee schedule. Each short-term rental shall comply with all of the following: No residential dwelling unit may be rented for a period of six or fewer consecutive days or more than 29 consecutive days, and no more than 180 days within any consecutive 365-day period. There shall not be excessive noise as prohibited by § 264-3 of the City Code, excessive fumes, glare, or vibration, any nuisance activities prohibited pursuant to Chapter 253 of the City Code, dogs at large as prohibited by § 126-3C of the City Code, or trespass onto neighboring properties as prohibited by § 253-9 of the City Code. Nameplates or other signage related to the short-term rental property shall not exceed one square foot. No other signage advertising the short-term rental is permitted on-site. The number of occupants shall not be more than allowed under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter ATCP 72 or any other state regulation, state statute, or local ordinance. Not less than one on-site, off-street parking space shall be provided for every four occupants, based upon maximum occupancy. No recreational vehicles (RVs), campers, tents or other temporary lodging arrangements shall be kept on-site contrary to provisions set forth within Chapter 340, Zoning, or be permitted on- site as a means of providing additional accommodations for paying guests or other invitees. The short-term rental premises shall have functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors pursuant to the requirements of Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 321. 7/1/26, 4:28 PM Operation of short-term rentals. - City of Pewaukee, WI https://ecode360.com/print/PE3916?guid=34117349 1/5 Page 3 of 249 (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (a) [1] [2] [3] [4] (b) D. (1) (2) (3) (4) E. The property owner shall have and maintain homeowner's liability or business liability insurance for the premises that are used for short-term rental and shall provide written evidence of such insurance with the license application and renewal application forms. The property owner or property manager of each short-term rental shall provide a guest register and require all guests to register their true names and addresses and rental time period(s) before being assigned sleeping quarters. The guest register shall be kept by the property owner or property manager and available for inspection for at least one year, as required by the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Each short-term rental shall comply with this chapter's requirements and any other applicable state, county or local laws, codes, rules or regulations. Certification of compliance. As a condition of issuance of a license under this chapter, the property owner or property manager shall certify in writing in each initial application and renewal application form that the short-term term rental property is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the license and this chapter. Access to premises. Upon probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter, or of a law, code, rule or regulation relating to buildings, housing, electrical, plumbing, heating, gas, fire, health, safety, environmental pollution, water quality, food or zoning has occurred or is occurring, the City Building Inspector, Fire Inspector or a local health officer may request that the property owner or property manager allow him or her, upon presenting proper identification, access to the short-term rental premises at any reasonable time for any of the following purposes: To determine if there has been a violation of this chapter, or of a law, code, rule or regulation related to the short-term rental or its operation; To determine compliance with previously written violation orders; To examine and copy relevant documents and records related to the operation of the short-term rental; or To obtain photographic or other evidence needed to enforce this chapter. As used in this subsection, "probable cause" means facts and circumstances within an officer's knowledge and of which he or she has reasonably trustworthy information that are sufficient to warrant a reasonable officer believing that a violation has been or is being committed. If consent is refused, the Building Inspector, Fire Inspector or health officer may apply for a special inspection warrant issued under § 66.0119, Wis. Stats., or other warrant, subpoena or order as may be necessary or appropriate. Short-term rental license. The City Clerk shall issue a short-term rental license if an applicant demonstrates compliance with the provisions of this chapter. A short-term rental license is issued for one license year and may be renewed annually as provided in § 221-5F. The license shall contain the following information: The name of the property owner, with contact information including mailing address and a telephone number at which the property owner is available. The name of the property manager, with contact information including mailing address and a telephone number at which the property manager is available. The license term. The State of Wisconsin tourist rooming house license number. Short-term rental license procedure. 7/1/26, 4:28 PM Operation of short-term rentals. - City of Pewaukee, WI https://ecode360.com/print/PE3916?guid=34117349 2/5 Page 4 of 249 (1) (2) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (3) (4) (5) (6) All applications for a short-term rental license shall be filed with the City Clerk on forms provided by the Clerk. Applications must be filed by the property owner or the property manager. No license shall be issued unless the completed application form is accompanied by payment of the required application fee, which fee shall be non-refundable. Each application shall include the following information and documentation for each short-term rental unit in order to demonstrate compliance with all requirements of this chapter: The name of the property owner, with contact information including mailing address and a telephone number at which the property owner is available. A copy of the State of Wisconsin tourist rooming house license issued under § 97.605, Wis. Stats., or proof that such state license has been applied for, in which event a provisional short-term rental license may be issued under this chapter for a period of 30 days but shall be conditioned upon the City Clerk's receipt of a copy of such state license from the applicant within said thirty-day period, and if a copy of such state license is not received by the Clerk within said period, then such provisional license shall expire and be void at and after the end of said thirty-day period. A copy of a completed State of Wisconsin lodging establishment inspection form dated within one year of such inspection. Written evidence of liability insurance as required by § 221-5C(8). A copy of a current seller's permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. A diagram drawn to scale showing the location of buildings and the on-site, off-street parking area(s) designated for tenants and invitees on the premises. Designation of a property manager, unless the property owner is acting as the property manager, with contact information including mailing address and telephone number at which the property manager is available, and an affirmative statement that the property manager is authorized to act as agent and as the local contact person for the property owner with respect to operation of the short-term rental. Written certification by the property owner that the short-term rental meets the requirements of this chapter and applicable state and county laws, ordinances and regulations. For renewal licenses only, written certification that a guest register has been kept as required by the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Unless earlier revoked, each license shall run from July 1 of one year to June 30 of the following year and may be renewed for additional one-year periods. The application fee shall be paid upon filing of the application. Any application that does not include all of the information and supporting documentation required by this chapter shall not be considered as complete. When the City Clerk determines that an application is complete and meets the requirements of this chapter, the Clerk shall approve the application and issue a short-term rental license (or, if applicable, a provisional short-term rental license) to the applicant. If the Clerk determines that the application is incomplete or does not meet the requirements of this chapter, the Clerk shall deny the application and inform the applicant, in writing, of the reason(s) why the application was denied and what action is needed to obtain approval of the application. No short-term rental license (or, if applicable, a provisional short-term rental license) shall be issued or renewed if the applicant or short-term rental property has outstanding fees, taxes, special charges or forfeitures owed to the City. No short-term rental license (or, if applicable, a provisional short-term rental license) shall be issued if the applicant or short-term rental property is found to be subject to one of the grounds for revocation as provided in § 221-5H(4). 7/1/26, 4:28 PM Operation of short-term rentals. - City of Pewaukee, WI https://ecode360.com/print/PE3916?guid=34117349 3/5 Page 5 of 249 F. (1) (2) G. H. (1) (2) (3) (a) (b) Renewal. Each application for renewal of a short-term rental license shall include updated information for the documentation on file with the City Clerk and payment of the renewal fee. A renewal application must be filed with, and a nonrefundable renewal fee must be paid to, the Clerk at least 90 days prior to the license expiration date to allow the City Clerk adequate time to review the application. The Clerk shall determine whether the information provided in the renewal application is complete and meets the requirements of this chapter. The Clerk may also request reports from the City Building Inspector, the Fire Inspector, the Sheriff's Department and other law enforcement agencies regarding any enforcement actions taken with respect to the short-term rental properties and operations, and their owners, tenants, occupants or visitors. The Clerk shall review the renewal application and may approve or deny the application after taking into consideration the number, frequency and/or severity of law violations relating to the short-term rental property and operations, and its owner(s), tenant(s), occupant(s) or visitor(s), and whether such violations substantially harm or adversely impact the predominantly residential uses and nature of the surrounding neighborhood. If after such consideration the Clerk determines not to renew the license, the Clerk shall notify the applicant in writing of the reason(s) for such decision and the applicant's right to appeal the decision to the Common Council as provided in § 221-5H. No license shall be renewed if the short-term rental property is under an order issued by the Building Inspector or a local health officer, or his or her designee, to bring the premises into compliance with state, county or local laws, codes, rules or regulations. Display of license. Each license shall be displayed on the inside of the main entrance door of each short-term rental. Appeal of licensing decisions; license revocation; appeal procedure; judicial review. The City Clerk's decision to deny an initial short-term rental license or to deny renewal of a short-term rental license shall specify the reason(s) for such denial, in writing. Prior to the time for the renewal of the license, the City Clerk shall notify the licensee in writing of the City's intention not to renew the license and notify the licensee of his or her right to an appeal hearing as provided in § 221-5H(2). The City Clerk's decision to deny an initial license or to deny renewal of a license may be appealed to the Common Council by filing a written appeal with the Clerk within 21 calendar days (excluding legal holidays) after the date of mailing of the written notice of the City Clerk's decision denying such license or renewal license. The Common Council shall conduct a due process hearing and issue a written decision on the appeal within 30 calendar days of the City's receipt of the written appeal, or the license shall be deemed granted. If the appellant appears at the hearing, he or she may produce and cross-examine witnesses, present relevant evidence, and be represented by counsel of his or her choosing, at his or her expense. If the Common Council finds the City Clerk's reason(s) for his or her decision sufficient, the decision shall be affirmed. If the Common Council finds the City Clerk's reason(s) for his or her decision insufficient, the decision shall be reversed, and the license shall be granted and issued. If the appellant does not appear at the hearing and the Common Council finds the City Clerk's reason(s) for his or her decision sufficient, the decision shall be affirmed. The Common Council's written decision on the appeal must specify the reason(s) for its determination. The City Clerk shall give written notice of the Common Council's decision to the applicant or licensee. A license may be revoked by the Common Council during the term of a license year and following a due process hearing for one or more of the following reasons: Failure by the licensee to make payment of delinquent fees, taxes, special charges, forfeitures or other debt owed to the City. Failure to maintain all required local, county and state licensing requirements. 7/1/26, 4:28 PM Operation of short-term rentals. - City of Pewaukee, WI https://ecode360.com/print/PE3916?guid=34117349 4/5 Page 6 of 249 (c) (4) (5) I. Any violations of local, county or state laws or regulations which, based upon their number, frequency and/or severity, and their relation to the short-term rental property, its owner(s), tenant(s), occupant(s) or visitor(s), substantially harm or adversely impact the predominantly residential uses and nature of the surrounding neighborhood. Revocation. Any resident of or owner of property within the City may file a sworn written complaint with the City Clerk alleging one or more violations of § 221-5C as grounds for revocation of a short-term rental license issued under this chapter. Upon the filing of the complaint, the Common Council shall notify the licensee of the complaint by certified mail and provide the licensee with a copy of the complaint. The notice shall direct the licensee to appear before the Common Council on a day, time and place included in the notice, not less than 10 days and not more than 45 days from the date of the notice, and show cause why his or her license should not be revoked. The hearing shall be conducted as provided in § 221-5H(2). If a license is revoked, the City Clerk shall give notice of revocation to the licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested. No part of the fee paid for any license so revoked may be refunded. Judicial review. The action of the Common Council in granting or renewing, refusing to grant or renew, or revoking a license under this chapter may be reviewed by the Waukesha County Circuit Court upon appeal by the applicant, licensee, or a resident of or owner of property within the City. Such appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the date of mailing by the City Clerk of the notice of the Common Council's action granting or renewing, refusing to grant or renew, or revoking a license. The procedure on review shall be the same as in civil actions commenced in the Circuit Court pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 801 to 807. Fees. Any person applying for an initial short-term rental license or renewing a license pursuant to this section shall be subject to the fees as established by resolution of the Common Council. 7/1/26, 4:28 PM Operation of short-term rentals. - City of Pewaukee, WI https://ecode360.com/print/PE3916?guid=34117349 5/5 Page 7 of 249 DATE OF APPLICATION _____/_____/2026 TAX KEY NUMBER: ___________________ Short-Term Rental Application 6/2026 Page 1 of 3 SHORT-TERM RENTAL LICENSE APPLICATION CITY OF PEWAUKEE, WAUKESHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN The undersigned hereby makes application to license their property to operate short-term rental at the premise described below from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, unless sooner revoked: PROPERTY INFORMATION Adress: DOING BUSINESS AS _______________________________________________________________ PROPERTY OWNER’S NAME PROPERTY MANAGER’S NAME PROPERTY OWNER’S ADDRESS PROPERTY MANAGER’S ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER’S PHONE NUMBER  Cellular  Home  Work PROPERTY MANAGER’S PHONE NUMBER  Cellular  Home  Work PROPERTY OWNER’S EMAIL ADDRESS PROPERTY MANAGER’S EMAIL ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER’S DATE OF BIRTH IF CORPORATION, LIST NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS: Print Name: Address: City, State, Zip NAME OF CORPORATION / BUSINESS NAME __________________________________________________ TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS __________. SLEEPS __________ PEOPLE. TOTAL NUMBER OF OTHER SLEEPING ROOMS __________. Page 8 of 249 DATE OF APPLICATION _____/_____/2026 TAX KEY NUMBER: ___________________ Short-Term Rental Application 6/2026 Page 2 of 3 DESCRIBE: ___________________________________________________ SLEEPS ___________ PEOPLE. NUMBER OF ON SITE PARKING SPOTS __________ / OFF-STREET PARKING SPOTS __________. LIST MARKETING AGENCIES FOR YOUR PROPERTY (examples: Vrbo, Airbnb) _____________________________________________________________________________________________  Applicant agrees that if license is granted, license is subject to all Wisconsin State laws, municipal laws, resolutions, ordinances and regulations affecting the operation of the Short-Term Rental. ___________ Initial  Applicant affirms that the Property Manager is authorized to act as agent and as the local contact person for the property owner with respect to operation of the short-term rental. ___________ Initial  For Renewals: Applicant certifies that a guest register has been kept as required by the Wisconsin Administrative Code. ___________ Initial  Applicant affirms their residential dwelling unit may not be rented for a period less than six (6) days or more than twenty-nine (29) days, and no more than 180 days within any consecutive 365-day period. ___________ Initial DATE OF APPLICATION _____/_____/__________ APPLICATION TYPE:  NEW  RENEWAL SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT ____________________________________________________ APPLICANTS MUST SUPPLY THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION:  Copy of License from the Waukesha County Parks and Land Use – Division of Environmental Health  Copy of Liability Insurance  Diagram drawn to scale showing the location of buildings and the on-site, off-street parking area(s) designated for tenants and invitees. Please mail or return application and $160 licensing fee to: City of Pewaukee Clerk/Treasurer W240 N3065 Pewaukee Road Pewaukee, WI 53072 Page 9 of 249 DATE OF APPLICATION _____/_____/2026 TAX KEY NUMBER: ___________________ Short-Term Rental Application 6/2026 Page 3 of 3 FOR OFFICE USE: INSPECTION TYPE: COMPLETED BY: DATE COMPLETED PASS  FAIL  Fire / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Smoke Detector / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Carbon Monoxide / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Building / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Plumbing / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Electrical / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Health Inspection / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Sheriff’s Department / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Taxes Are Current / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  Fees Paid / / 2026 PASS  FAIL  ADDITIONAL STAFF NOTES TO CONSIDER: LICENSE NO. __________________________ DATE ISSUED __________________________ FEES: $25.00 License Fee 100-00000-44124 $60.00 Building Inspection Fee 100-00000-44300 $75.00 Fire Inspection Fee 100-00000-46240 $160.00 Total Page 10 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT APPLICATION FORM STR-1: PROPERTY AND OPERATOR INFORMATION A Short Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222-2525. Please submit your application and supplemental forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us. PROPERTY INFORMATION Address: OPERATOR INFORMATION Operator Name: Host name on all advertisings: Company or DBA name (if applicable): Phone Number: Email: Operator mailing address: Do you rent or own this property? ☐ Own ☐ Rent If Rent, complete Tenant Notification to Property Owner Form Is this property part of a Condo Association? ☐ No ☐ Yes If Yes, complete Condominium Association Permission Form Is this property your Primary Residence: ☐ Yes ☐ No If No, make sure that both operator and owner information is accurate. Operator Signature: Date: PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION (If different than operator) Property Owner Name: Phone Number: Email: Property Owner Signature: Date: RENTAL INFORMATION STR will be rented for (select all that apply): ☐ 30+ day stays ☐ 7-29 day stays ☐ 1-6 day stays Page 11 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT CHECKLIST FORM STR-1: PROPERTY AND OPERATOR INFORMATION Before submitting an application, review the guidelines and checklist below to ensure you have the necessary materials. Additional information may be required before a permit can be issued. Guidelines  The short term rental operator must be the owner or lessee of the property.  The permitting year runs from July 1 to June 30. Permits must be renewed by June 30 each year.  Stays of 1-6 days There are no limits to the number of rental days per permitting year.  Stays of 7-29 days There are no limits to the number of rental days per permitting year  A primary residence is a dwelling unit that serves as an individual's permanent home for at least 183 days in a calendar year and to which, whenever absent therefrom, they intend to return. An individual can have only one primary residence.  A property can be rented to multiple unassociated parties (2+ individuals who separately book accommodations at the same STR on any shared date) only if the property is the operator’s primary residence AND the operator remains on site.  Prior to issuing a new STR permit or permit renewal, the City Administrator or designees shall inspect the premises to ensure compliance with the Monona Code of Ordinances.  STR operators must keep a current guest registry available on site for inspection.  Quarterly reports are due for the previous quarter on Feb. 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year. Failure to submit two quarterly reports by the deadline in any calendar year shall be grounds for permit revocation.  Operators shall notify the City Clerk upon any changes to the contact information for the STR operator or property owner.  STR permits are not transferrable to another operator, property owner, or property address.  Upon issuance of a valid STR permit, the permit number shall be displayed on all advertising locations. Required Forms • STR-1: Property and Operator Information • STR-2: Floor Plans • STR-3 Quarterly Reporting • STR-4: Guest Registry • STR-5: Residence Affidavit • STR-6: Condominium Association Permission and STR-7: Tenant Notification to Property Owner (if applicable) • City of Monona Room Tax Form • A copy of your Public Health Madison and Dane County Short Term Rental License (or submitted application) Fees  Annual Permit Fee: $750.00, due at the time of application submittal  Late fee for failure to renew annual permit by June 30: $100.00  Fees can be paid by cash, check (payable to City of Monona), or card (3% processing fee). BELOW SPACE FOR OFFICE USE Date Approved: Approved By: Permit Number: Paid: Building Inspection Date: Building Inspection By: Fire Inspection Date: Fire Inspection By: Page 12 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT APPLICATION FORM STR-2: FLOOR PLANS A Short Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222-2525. Please submit your application and supplemental forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us. PROPERTY INFORMATION Address: Type of Property: ☐ Single-family dwelling ☐ 2-unit building ☐ Multi-unit building # of Legal Bedrooms: See definition below Max. # of Guests: Check one ☐ # of legal bedrooms:_____x2=____ ☐ 12 Max. # of guests is the lesser of 12 or two times the number of legal bedrooms. Children under the age of twelve (12) do not count towards the max. # of guests # of Floors (include basement and attic, even if guests do not have access): LEGAL BEDROOM DEFINITION Any habitable space in a Dwelling Unit other than a kitchen or living room that is intended for or capable of being used for sleeping with a door that closes the room off from other common space such as living and kitchen areas, is within the dwelling unit thermal envelope, that is at least seventy (70) square feet in area, exclusive of closets and other appurtenant space, and meets Building Code standards for egress, light and ventilation according to the Uniform Dwelling Code, Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 320-325, or the Uniform Multifamily Dwelling Code, Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 366. A room identified as a den, library, study, office, dining room, or other extra room that satisfies this definition will be considered a bedroom. FLOOR PLAN DIRECTIONS: ☐ Show all floors, including all basement levels and attic levels with habitable spaces ☐ Label each room ☐ Number each bedroom on the floor plans ☐ Indicate total number of bedrooms SAMPLE FLOOR PLAN: Page 13 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 FLOOR PLANS: Label and number each bedroom Page 14 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT APPLICATION FORM STR-3: QUARTERLY REPORTING A Short Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222-2525. Please submit your application and supplemental forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us. STR operators must submit advertising locations to the City Clerk quarterly. Due dates are listed below. Select the reporting quarter: ☐ Quarter 1 (January-March), due May 1 ☐ Quarter 2 (April-June), due August 1 ☐ Quarter 3 (July-September), due November 1 ☐ Quarter 4 (October-December), due February 1 PROPERTY INFORMATION Address: Operator Name: Phone Number: Email: 1) ADVERTISING LOCATIONS List all websites and locations where the Short Term Rental has been advertised in the past or is currently advertised. If the property has not been advertised before, write NO ADVERTISING on the form. Dates Advertised Host Name Listing Number URL or other advertising location Page 15 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 Dates Advertised Host Name Listing Number URL or other advertising location 2) DATES OF STAY List all dates of stay and whether the operator was on site or off site for each day of the stay. Arrival Date Departure Date Number of Nights Operator on site Operator off site ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Page 16 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 Arrival Date Departure Date Number of Nights Operator on site Operator off site ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Page 17 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL APPLICATION FORM STR-4: GUEST REGISTRY A Short Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222-2525. Please submit your application and supplemental forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us. A current and true copy of this guest registry current must be retained on-site for at least 2 years. Guest Name Guest Contact (Phone Number, Mailing Address, or Email) Arrival Date Departure Date Number of Guests Operator On site Operator Off site ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Page 18 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 Guest Name Guest Phone Number, Mailing Address, or Email Arrival Date Departure Date Number of Guests Operator on site Operator off site ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Page 19 of 249 CITY OF MONONA: SHORT TERM RENTAL APPLICATION FORM STR-5: RESIDENCE AFFIDAVIT A Short Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222-2525. Please submit your application and supplemental forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us PROPERTY INFORMATION Address: PRIMARY RESIDENCE DEFINITION According to section 367-1 of the Monona Code of Ordinances, a Primary Residence is a dwelling unit that serves as an individual’s true, fixed and permanent home for at least 183 days in a calendar year and to which, whenever absent therefrom, that individual intends to return. Additional characteristics of a primary residence include, but are not limited to, where an individual receives mail, claims residence for purposes of voter registration, pays for utilities, and lists as their address on state issued identification cards. An individual can have only one primary residence. ☐ The property above IS my Primary Residence I attest, by signing below, I, (Printed Name), swear or affirm under oath that I am the owner or tenant of the dwelling unit listed above and that this is my primary residence as defined above. I acknowledge that I am to notify the City of Monona Clerks Office within ten (10) days if for any reason this address is no longer considered my primary address. I understand that my short term rental permit may be revoked if I am found to not be in compliance with city ordinance and in which penalties may be incurred. ☐ The property above is NOT my Primary Residence I attest, by signing below, I, (Printed Name), swear or affirm under oath that I am the owner or tenant of the dwelling unit listed above and that this is not my primary residence as defined above. I acknowledge that the short term rental will be used solely for stays of more than six (6) but fewer than twenty-nine (29) nights. I understand that my short term rental permit may be revoked if I am found to not be in compliance with city ordinance and in which penalties may be incurred. I understand that the statement made above regarding my residence is required by Monona Code of Ordinances Sec. 367-1 in order to receive a short term rental permit in the City of Monona. I further understand that pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 946.32 any person who, under oath, knowingly makes a false statement when that statement is required by law is guilty of a Class H Felony. With this understanding, I swear or affirm under oath that I have carefully considered the contents of this Affidavit before signing and that the above statement regarding my residence is true. Operator Signature: Date Operator Printed Name: Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on this day of , 20 . Signature of Notary Public My commission expires: Page 20 of 249 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT APPLICATION FORM STR-6: CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION PERMISSION A Short Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222-2525. Please submit your application and supplemental forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us. Complete this form only if your property is part of a Condominium Association PROPERTY INFORMATION Address: Property Owner Name: Phone Number: Email: Operator Name (if different than property owner): Phone Number: Email: Condominium Name: SIGNATURES Choose one: ☐ Letter of Permission from Condominium Association is attached, stating that the operation of a Short-Term Rental in this dwelling unit is allowed by the Condominium Association’s rules, regulations, and bylaws, signed by an authorized representative of the Condominium Association Operator signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ______________________ ☐ A Short -Term Rental operation in this dwelling unit is allowed by the Condominium Association’s rules, regulations, and bylaws, and verified by signatures below from an authorized representative of the Condominium Association Operator Signature: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Condo Representative Printed Name: ___________________________________________________________ Condo Representative Signature: _______________________________________ Date: __________________ AUTHORIZED TO SIGN ON BEHALF OF CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Page 21 of 249 Last Revised June 1, 2026 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL PERMIT APPLICATION FORM STR-7: TENANT NOTIFICATION TO PROPERTY OWNER A Short Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222-2525. Please submit your application and supplemental forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us. Complete this form only if you are a renter of the property which you intend to operate as a Short Term Rental. PROPERTY INFORMATION Address: Tenant/Operator Name: Phone Number: Email: Max. # of Guests: Check one ☐ # of legal bedrooms:_____x2=____ OR ☐ 12 Max. # of guests is the lesser of 12 or two times the number of legal bedrooms. Children under the age of twelve (12) do not count towards the max. # of guests ☐ Lease Attachment: A signed copy of the lease is attached, which explicitly states a short term rental operation is allowed in this dwelling unit. ☐ Notice to property owner: I agree to abide by all City of Monona regulations for the operation of a short term rental, as detailed in Monona Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1. ☐ Notice to property owner: I will not rent to more than the allowable maximum number of guests in the short term rental, as explained above. Tenant/Operator Signature:______________________________________________ Date:______________________ PROPERTY OWNER INFORMATION Property Owner Name: Company or DBA Name: Property Owner Address: Phone Number: Email: ☐ Tenant has notified me of their intent to operate a short term rental at this dwelling unit, which is allowed in the lease agreement. ☐ I understand tenant will abide by all City of Monona regulations for the operation of a short term rental, as detailed in Monona Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367-1. ☐ I approve of the proposed operation of a short term rental operation at this dwelling unit. Property Owner Signature:_______________________________________________ Date:_______________________ Page 22 of 249 CITY OF MONONA: 2026-2027 SHORT TERM RENTAL HOTEL-MOTEL ROOM TAX QUARTERLY REPORTING FORM A Short-Term Rental Permit must be obtained prior to listing a property as a short term rental in Monona. For more information, see the Monona Municipal Code of Ordinances, Chapter 367- 1, or contact the City Clerk at (608) 222- 2525. If room tax is not completed, reported and paid by your listing agent, the owner/operator must please submit forms to STR@ci.monona.wi.us. PROPERTY INFORMATION Name of Establishment: Property Address: Reporting Period (Check One)  1st Quarter (January 1-March 31) due April 30  2nd Quarter (April 1-June 30) due July 31  3rd Quarter (July 1-September 30) due October 31  4th Quarter (October 1-December 31)due January 31 Calculation of Taxes Due Gross Receipts Less receipts from sources other room rental Less rents to governmental units Subtotal Receipts subject to tax (8%) Taxes due Late Fee $25.00 (If applicable) Amount Enclosed All unpaid taxes shall bear interest at the rate of eighteen percent 18%) per year from the due date of the return until the first day of the month following in which the tax is paid. CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the above information is accurate to the best of my knowledge Signature _____________________________________ Title_________________________ Date _____________ Page 23 of 249 CITY OF MONONA: SHORT TERM RENTAL INSPECTION CHECKLISTS - BUILDING INSPECTION These items will be confirmed via on-site building department inspection before the issuance of the annual STR permit. SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTY INFORMATION Address: Listed Bedrooms Per Application: OPERATOR INFORMATION Operator Name: Host name on all advertisings: Company or DBA name (if applicable): Phone Number: Email: Operator mailing address: ☐ Hot and cold water under pressure from an approved public water supply. ☐ To prevent cross contamination, all water faucets with threads for hose attachment (laundry tub and/or outdoor faucets) must be equipped with an air gap vacuum breaker faucet or a backflow preventer valve which meets plumbing standard ASSE 1011. ☐ Approved unobstructed secondary form of egress (approved exit for emergency escape). ☐ Railing on decks, patios, and balconies more than 24” off the ground shall be a minimum of 36” tall. Gaps cannot be larger than four inches. ☐ Staircases with more than three risers must have securely fastened handrails in areas where guests are permitted. BUILDING INSPECTION - BATHROOMS ACCESSIBLE TO GUESTS ☐ Slip-resistant flooring is required in showers and bathtubs or have a bathmat available only for bathrooms available to guests. ☐ All bathrooms must have a vent fan or openable window only for bathrooms available to guests. ☐ All plumbing and fixtures shall meet the requirements contained in WI SPS 382 and shall be maintained in good repair and sanitary condition. BUILDING INSPECTION - SLEEPING ROOMS ACCESSIBLE TO GUESTS ☐ All guest sleeping room windows and doors that open to the outside must have screens and shall be lockable from the inside. The above items are required by WI SPS 321, 323, 382 and 384. BUILDING INSPECTION - GENERAL AREAS ACCESSIBLE TO GUESTS Page 24 of 249 BUILDING INSEPCTOR COMMENTS: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ BUILDING INSPECTOR INFORMATION Inspector Name: Inspecti on Date: Inspector Approval: Approved Bedrooms For Permit: For renewal applications only, Short-Term Rentals that have been previously inspected, remained in compliance with all ordinance requirements, and have not made any changes to their building structures or site layout may utilize the "Self-Inspection Affidavit" below. BUILDING INSPECTION SELF-INSPECTION AFFIDAVIT: The applicant hereby verifies and confirms that 1) the required inspection tasks listed on this form were completed and approved by the City of Monona's Building Inspector within the past 15 months, 2) that the physical construction, layout and operation of those inspected items and conditions within the proposed short-term rental unit has not changed since that inspection, and 3) all operational safety measures remain in place and are functioning as required. To the best of the applicant's knowledge the housing unit(s) being used for a short-term rental is in compliance with all current applicable building codes adopted by the City of Monona and the State of Wisconsin as administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The applicant understands that the City may still require an in-person inspection for purposes of review of this short-term rental permit application at their sole discretion. The City may also require an inspection at a future date with 48 hour notice if potential violations of this code are made known to the City through complaints or direct observation by the City Building Inspector, the City Code Enforcement Officer, the Police Department or the Fire Department. Failure to meet the required code standards at any time may result in revocation of the applicant's short term rental permit. Applicant's Signature: ________________________________________ Date: ______________________________ (FIRE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOLLOW THIS PAGE) Page 25 of 249 CITY OF MONONA: SHORT TERM RENTAL INSPECTION CHECKLISTS – FIRE DEPARTMENT These items will be confirmed via on-site building department inspection before the issuance of the annual STR permit. FIRE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS ☐ A fire safety plan shall be posted on each level of the home and inside each bedroom. The fire safety plan shall include the following information: • Phone number and procedures to report an emergency: • Dane County 911 Emergency • Dane County Non-Emergency 608-255-2345 • Property Address Floor Plans identifying the locations of the following Exits • Primary evacuation routes • Secondary evacuation routes • Name and phone number of the local emergency contact for the property ☐ The property address must be installed on the exterior of the home in a location that faces the road. The address numbers must be at least 4 inches in height. ☐ Gas or other fuel fired appliances must have 36 inches of clearance. ☐ Portable unvented fuel fire heating equipment is prohibited from use. ☐ Electrical outlets, switches, and junction boxes must have cover plates. ☐ No open unconnected wires are permitted. All open wiring must be in electrical junction boxes. ☐ Electrical panels require a minimum of 36 inches in front of the panel. No storage shall be within these 36 inches. ☐ Extension cords shall not be used for permanent wiring. Ensure that extension cord usage within the home is only for temporary use. ☐ Holes in walls, ceilings and doors must be repaired. ☐ A portable fire extinguisher must be present on every level of the rental space. A minimum size of 2A10BC is required, and extinguishers must be inspected annually and tagged. ☐ Smoke Alarms are required to be installed in the following locations: a) In every bedroom within 6 feet of the door b) Outside of every bedroom within 6 feet of the door c) On every level of the home d) d. Smoke detectors more than 10 years old shall be replaced ☐ Carbon Monoxide alarms shall be installed in the following locations: a) Outside every bedroom b) On every level of the home ☐ All windows and doors must operate and be able to be opened. ☐ The exterior of all exits shall be free of obstructions. ☐ Flammable liquid storage in excess of 10 gallons shall be stored in an approved flammable liquids cabinet. No flammable liquids shall be stored under steps. The above items are required by and inspected under NFPA 1, 2024 edition by the Monona FD. Page 26 of 249 For renewal applications only, Short-Term Rentals that have been previously inspected, remained in compliance with all ordinance requirements, and have not made any changes to their building structures or site layout may utilize the "Self-Inspection Affidavit" below. FIRE INSPECTION SELF-INSPECTION AFFIDAVIT: The applicant hereby verifies and confirms that 1) the required inspection tasks listed on this form were completed and approved by the City of Monona's Fire Department within the past 15 months, 2) that the physical construction, layout and operation of those inspected items and conditions within the proposed short-term rental unit has not changed since that inspection, 3) all operational safety measures remain in place and are functioning as required, and 4) and that the housing unit(s) being used for a short-term rental is in compliance with the NFPA 1 Fire Code. The applicant understands that the City may still require an in-person inspection for purposes of review of this short-term rental permit application at their sole discretion. The City may also require an inspection at a future date with 48-hour notice if potential violations of this code are made known to the City through complaints or direct observation by the City Building Inspector, the City Code Enforcement Officer, the Police Department or the Fire Department. Failure to meet the required code standards at any time may result in revocation of the applicant's short-term rental permit. Applicant’s Signature: ___________________________________ Date:______________________ Page 27 of 249 Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance As approved by the Vilas County Board of Supervisors Amended Effective December 15, 2025 Page 28 of 249 Page 29 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 i TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... I ARTICLE I: STATUTORY AUTHORITY ................................................................................ 1 1.1 Statutory Authority.......................................................................................................... 1 ARTICLE II: GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................................................... 1 2.1 Compliance ..................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Interpretation ................................................................................................................... 1 2.3 Severability ..................................................................................................................... 1 2.4 Non-Impairment of Deeds .............................................................................................. 2 2.5 Buildings Under Construction ........................................................................................ 2 2.6 Town Board Approval ..................................................................................................... 2 2.7 Declaration ...................................................................................................................... 2 2.8 Repeal of Previous Ordinance ........................................................................................ 2 2.9 Title ................................................................................................................................. 2 2.10 Effective Date of this Ordinance ..................................................................................... 2 ARTICLE III: INTERPRETATIONS ........................................................................................ 3 3.1 Determination of District Boundaries ............................................................................. 3 3.2 Interpretations of Yard Requirements ............................................................................. 3 3.3 Interpretations of Building Height Requirements ........................................................... 6 3.4 Interpretations of Lot Size Requirements ....................................................................... 8 3.5 Interpretations of Setback Measurements ....................................................................... 8 ARTICLE IV: ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS ............................................................ 9 4.1 Single-Family Residential District (R-1) ........................................................................ 9 4.2 Residential / Lodging District (RL) ...............................................................................11 4.3 Multi-Family Residential District (R-2) ....................................................................... 12 4.4 General Business District (GB) .................................................................................... 14 4.5 Community Business District (CB) .............................................................................. 17 4.6 Residential / Recreation District (R/R) ......................................................................... 19 4.7 Recreation District (REC) ............................................................................................. 21 4.8 Wooded Residential District (WR) ............................................................................... 24 4.9 Rural Residential / Light Mixed-Use District (RRL) ................................................... 26 4.10 Industrial District (I) ..................................................................................................... 28 4.11 Forestry District (F) ...................................................................................................... 31 Page 30 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 ii 4.12 Agricultural District (A) ............................................................................................... 33 4.13 All Purpose District (AP) .............................................................................................. 35 4.14 Metallic Mineral Exploration Overlay District (ME) ................................................... 37 4.15 Metallic Mining and Prospecting Overlay District (MM) ............................................ 37 4.16 Farmland Preservation Overlay District (FP) ............................................................... 38 ARTICLE V: REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC USES ...................................................... 41 5.1 Adult Use ...................................................................................................................... 41 5.2 Camping and Recreational Vehicles ............................................................................. 41 5.3 Clubhouses .................................................................................................................... 43 5.4 Commercial Marinas ..................................................................................................... 44 5.5 Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) ........................................................ 44 5.6 Condominiums .............................................................................................................. 45 5.7 Fences ........................................................................................................................... 53 5.8 Forest Management and Tree Removal ........................................................................ 55 5.9 Garages ......................................................................................................................... 55 5.10 Gun Clubs and Shooting Ranges .................................................................................. 56 5.11 Hotels and Motels ......................................................................................................... 57 5.12 Junk and Salvage Yards................................................................................................. 57 5.13 Land Spreading of Petroleum Contaminated Soils Prohibited ..................................... 58 5.14 Manufactured and Mobile Homes ................................................................................ 58 5.15 Metallic and Non-Metallic Mineral Extraction............................................................. 61 5.16 Ponds (Artificially Created) .......................................................................................... 63 5.17 Private Easement Roads ................................................................................................ 64 5.18 Privies ........................................................................................................................... 64 5.19 Relaxation of Standards for Persons with Disabilities .................................................. 65 5.20 Storage Rental Units ..................................................................................................... 66 5.21 Toxic Waste Disposal .................................................................................................... 66 5.22 Signs and Lighting ........................................................................................................ 67 5.23 Treehouses .................................................................................................................... 67 5.24 Warehouses ................................................................................................................... 67 5.25 Wetlands ........................................................................................................................ 68 5.26 Cottage Park .................................................................................................................. 69 5.27 Retaining Walls ............................................................................................................. 70 Page 31 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 iii ARTICLE VI: PUBLIC HEALTH ORDINANCE (REMOVED) .......................................... 71 ARTICLE VII: OFF-STREET PARKING AND DRIVEWAYS ............................................ 73 7.1 General Rules ................................................................................................................ 73 7.2 Required Off-Street Parking Spaces for Specific Uses (Except in the Designated Downtown Community Business Districts).............................................................................. 74 7.3 Driveways and Private Easement Roads....................................................................... 75 ARTICLE VIII: NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND LOTS ....................... 77 8.1 General Limitations on Nonconforming Structures or Use .......................................... 77 8.2 General Limitations of Nonconforming Lots ............................................................... 78 8.3 Existing Lots ................................................................................................................. 78 ARTICLE IX: ADMINISTRATION ......................................................................................... 79 9.1 Creation of the Zoning and Planning Committee ......................................................... 79 9.2 Office of the Zoning and Planning Administrator ........................................................ 80 9.3 Rules and Procedures for Issuance of a Zoning Permit ................................................ 80 9.4 Rules and Procedures for Issuance of Conditional Use Permits ................................... 83 9.5 Rules and Procedures for Recommending Amendments in the Zoning Ordinance Text or Zoning Map .......................................................................................................................... 86 9.6 Enforcement .................................................................................................................. 87 9.7 Notification to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ................................. 89 9.8 Rezoning of Land Out of Farmland Preservation Overlay (FP) Zoning District ......... 89 ARTICLE X: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ............................................................................. 91 10.1 Creation of the Board of Adjustment ............................................................................ 91 10.2 Jurisdiction and Authority ............................................................................................. 91 10.3 Meetings and Rules ....................................................................................................... 92 10.4 Procedure for Hearing Appeals ..................................................................................... 92 10.5 Procedure for Hearing Variance Requests .................................................................... 93 ARTICLE XI: DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................. 97 ARTICLE XII: OPERATION OF A TOURIST ROOMING HOUSE ................................. 115 12.1 Applicability ................................................................................................................115 12.2 Exemptions ..................................................................................................................115 12.3 Prohibitions ..................................................................................................................115 12.4 Permit Required ...........................................................................................................116 12.5 Occupancy....................................................................................................................118 12.6 Parking .........................................................................................................................118 Page 32 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 iv 12.7 Resident Agent Required .............................................................................................119 12.8 Other Requirements .................................................................................................... 120 12.9 Existing Tourist Rooming Houses .............................................................................. 120 12.10 Enforcement and Penalties ...................................................................................... 120 APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................ 123 Page 33 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 1 ARTICLE I: STATUTORY AUTHORITY 1.1 STATUTORY AUTHORITY This comprehensive revision of the Vilas County Zoning Ordinance is adopted pursuant to the authorization contained in Sections 59.69, 59.694, and Chapter 91 of the Wisconsin Statutes. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article I, Section 1.1, amended effective 12/15/2025 ARTICLE II: GENERAL PROVISIONS Introduction and Explanation: Article II contains the rules of legal interpretation established by the State Legislature and by the Courts. These provisions are placed in this Ordinance to assist readers in the interpretations of the requirements of the Ordinance. 2.1 COMPLIANCE The use of all items listed below shall be in full compliance with the terms of this Zoning Ordinance, Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Control Ordinance, Private Sewage System Ordinance and all other applicable Vilas County Ordinances, including State and Federal Regulations. History: Amendment 85-267, Article II, Section 2.1 amended effective 6/1/2021 (A) Any land or water, size, shape and placement of lots; and (B) Use, size and location of structures on lots; and (C) Installation and maintenance of water supply; and (D) Private on-site wastewater treatment systems; and History: Amendment 85-267, Article II, Section 2.1(D) created effective 6/1/2021 (E) Filling, grading, lagooning, dredging of any land; and (F) Cutting of shoreland vegetation; and (G) Subdivision of lots and creation or amendment of a condominium. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article II, Section 2.1(G) created effective 12/15/2025 2.2 INTERPRETATION In interpretation and application, the provisions of this Ordinance shall be held to be the minimum requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor of the county and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by Wisconsin Statues. 2.3 SEVERABILITY If any section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be affected thereby. Page 34 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 2 2.4 NON-IMPAIRMENT OF DEEDS It is not intended by this Ordinance to repeal, abrogate or impair any existing deed restrictions, easements, covenants, or Ordinances other than zoning, except where this Ordinance imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this Ordinance shall prevail. 2.5 BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION Nothing herein contained shall require any change in the plans, construction, and size or designated use of any building, structure, or part thereof for which a Zoning Permit under existing or previous requirements has been issued and that are under construction at the time that this Ordinance is adopted. 2.6 TOWN BOARD APPROV AL Pursuant to Section 59.69(5)(c) of the Wisconsin Statutes, this Ordinance shall not be effective in any town until it has been approved by the Town Board. 2.7 DECLARATION This Ordinance is declared to be for promoting the public health, safety and general welfare. 2.8 REPEAL OF PREVIOUS ORDINANCE This Ordinance shall repeal and replace those portions of the previous Ordinance known as the Vilas County Land Zoning and Water Protection Ordinance No. 72, which were adopted pursuant to the authorization contained in sections 59.69 and 59.694 of the Wisconsin Statutes. 2.9 TITLE This Ordinance shall be known as referred to, and cited as the Vilas County Zoning Ordinance No. 85 or the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article II, Section 2.9 amended effective 12/15/2025 2.10 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ORDINANCE The effective date of this Ordinance shall be upon adoption and upon publication thereof. Page 35 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 3 ARTICLE III: INTERPRETATIONS Introduction and Explanation: Article III contains descriptions of how to interpret district boundaries, area requirements, highway setbacks, and height requirements. The purpose of this article is to assist readers and the administrators of this Ordinance in making consistent interpretations of the requirements. 3.1 DETERMINATION OF DISTRICT BOUNDARIES The boundaries of the districts established by this Ordinance for general zoning purposes are shown on maps entitled “Zoning Maps of Vilas County,” which maps accompany and are made part of this Ordinance. The above maps are on file in the Vilas County Zoning Administrator’s Office. Maps on file in the office of the County Zoning Administrator are the official version and shall control in any case where differences occur between it and other copies. All notations and references shown on the district map are as much a part of this Ordinance as through specifically described therein. The Zoning Administrator shall periodically update all maps to reflect adopted changes. (A) When the district boundaries are either roads or streets, unless otherwise shown, and where the designation on the district map indicates districts are bounded by a road or street the centerline of such road or street will be the district boundary line. (B) Except where otherwise indicated on a map, it is intended the district boundary line be measured at right angles to the nearest highway right-of-way line. (C) For subdivided property, where not otherwise indicated and where lot lines approximately bound the designations on the Zoning Map, said lot lines shall be construed to be the boundary of the district. Where parallel or approximately parallel to street lines, such district boundary lines are assumed to be parallel with rear lines of the lots abutting such streets History: Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.1(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 (D) For un-subdivided property, where not otherwise indicated, district boundaries are property lines or section lines, or quarter-section lines, or quarter-quarter section lines. In unplatted areas of ten (10) acres or less, district boundary lines, where not otherwise indicated, are determined by use of a scale shown on the Zoning Map. History: Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.1(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 3.2 INTERPRETATIONS OF YARD REQUIREMENTS Regulations contained through this Ordinance related to the size of yard and other open space are subject to the following interpretation and exceptions: (A) No part of a yard or other open space provided about any building for purposes of complying with provisions of this Ordinance are to be included as a part of a yard or other open space required for another building. History: Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.2(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) When a lot is less in area than required for the district in which it is located and was of record at the time of passage of this Ordinance, such a lot may be used as a building site Page 36 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 4 subject to the Private Sewage System Ordinance and the requirements of the district in which it is located. History: Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.2(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article III, Section 3.2(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Every part of a required yard shall be open to the sky unobstructed, except for accessory buildings as permitted by this Ordinance. (D) Lot Area: (1) Accessory structures cannot occupy more than thirty (30) percent of the required lot area. (2) Wetlands (a) Lots or parcels 1.5 acres in size or greater shall have fifty (50) percent of the minimum lot area located outside of a wetland. (b) Lots or parcels less than 1.5 acres in size shall have ninety (90) percent of the minimum lot area located outside of a wetland. (c) The requirements in (a) and (b) above shall be based on the most precise Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources mapping or a wetland delineation by a qualified wetland delineator. (d) The requirements in (a) and (b) above may be waived by the Zoning & Planning Committee. (3) Floodplain (a) Lots or parcels 1.5 acres in size or greater shall have fifty (50) percent of the minimum lot area located outside of the floodplain. (b) Lots or parcels less than 1.5 acres in size shall have ninety (90) percent of the minimum lot area located outside of the floodplain. (c) The requirements of (a) and (b) above shall be based on the area of the Special Flood Hazard Area inundated by the one hundred (100) year flood as shown on the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). (d) The requirements of (a) and (b) above may be waived if proven to be above the one hundred (100) year flood elevation through a flood elevation study prepared by a licensed engineer and/or professional land surveyor. History: Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.2(D), amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article III, Section 3.2(D)(2)&(3) created effective 12/15/2025 Page 37 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 5 (E) Impervious Surface Requirements: (1) Impervious surface areas cannot exceed fifty (50) percent of the parcel area without a stormwater control plan. (a) Calculating Impervious Surfaces (b) Impervious Surface Calculations do not include: (i) Areas treated by an engineered stormwater detention system including but not limited to stormwater ponds, constructed wetlands, infiltration basins, rain gardens, bio-swales, or other engineered systems. (ii) Internally drained pervious areas which retain the runoff on or off the parcel and allow infiltration into the soil. (c) To qualify for impervious surface exemptions, property owners shall submit a complete permit application that is reviewed and approved by Vilas County. The application shall include the following: (i) Calculations (ii) Documentation that the runoff from the impervious surface is being treated by a proposed treatment system, treatment device or internally drained area. (iii) An implementation schedule enforcing an obligation on the property owner to establish and maintain a treatment system, treatment devices, or an internally drained area. (iv) A stormwater affidavit must be filed with the Vilas County Register of Deeds (2) Impervious surfaces on riparian parcels shall be regulated by the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, Article IX, Section 9.6. History: Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.2(E) created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article III, Section 3.2(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) All setbacks from Federal, State and County highways shall be minimum setbacks measured from the center of the highway as outlined in the Vilas County Setback Ordinance No. 18. Setbacks from Town roads or highways shall be set by the Town exercising authority over the road. No road setback shall be less than the Right of Way setback set forth in Article IV of this Ordinance. (1) Placement of public telephone, wireless internet, or electric service equipment such as poles, push poles, pole stubs, anchors, overhead and down guys and attachments, framing materials, cable, wire, conductor, overhead transformers, regulators, re- closures, capacitors, switch gear, lights and light fixtures, signs, tags, warning markers, barricades, pad-mount transformers, pedestals, junction boxes, pad-mount switch fust units, terminal boxes, pad-mounted terminal repeaters, meters and metering equipment, and structures housing switching panels and other similar equipment shall be exempt from highway setback requirements. (2) A reduced road setback may be granted by the agency in control of the public road. This provision shall supersede the variance procedure set forth in Ordinance 18. History: Amendment 85-216, Article III, Section 3.2(E) amended effective 6/27/2007 Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.2(E) renumbered to 3.2(F), effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Article III, Section 3.2(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 38 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 6 (G) The area within the established setback lines along Federal, State or County highways shall not be used for the storage of chattel. Statutory Reference: Wisconsin Statute §86.04 History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article III, Section 3.2(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 3.3 INTERPRETATIONS OF BUILDING HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS The regulations contained throughout this Ordinance relating to the height of buildings or structures shall be subject to the following interpretations and exceptions: (A) For purposes of enforcement, building height for gable, cross-gabled hip, saltbox, and lean-to roofs shall be the mean height. Mean height being defined as: A the measurement from the lowest point of finished grade to eave, PLUS B the measurement from the lowest point of finished grade to the highest roof point. A+B=C will give you the mean height or height of the building. 2 (B) For purposes of enforcement, building height for Mansard and Gambrel roofs shall be the mean height. Mean height being defined as: A the lowest point of finished grade to the ridgeline and B the lowest point of finished grade to the highest roof point. A+B=C will give you the mean height or height of the building. 2 (C) For purposes of enforcement, building height for a flat roof, A-frame style house and geodesic dome style house are measured from the lowest point of finished grade to the highest roof point. (D) Churches, schools, and other public and quasi-public buildings, chimneys, cooling towers, water towers, farm silos, barns and other farm structures, solar collectors, windmills and necessary mechanical appurtenances may be erected to a height not exceeding sixty (60) feet or five (5) stories, provided the front, side and rear yards required in the district in which such a building or structure is to be located are each increased at least one foot for each additional foot of height above the height limit otherwise established for the district in which such building or structure is to be located. (E) Facilities exceeding building height requirements, which are subject to Section 3.3(D) require a Zoning Permit to be issued by the County Zoning Administrator. Before issuing the permit, the Zoning Administrator shall investigate and determine whether any such facility, which is to exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height above ground level will create fire protection or other problems related to public safety. Upon a written determination that such problems may result, the Zoning Administrator shall reject the permit application or attach such conditions as deemed reasonable or necessary History: Amendment 85-165, Section 3.3 created effective 6/19/2001 Amendment 85-199, Section 3.3(D) removed and subsequent renumbered effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article III, Section 3.3(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 39 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 7 Page 40 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 8 3.4 INTERPRETATIONS OF LOT SIZE REQUIREMENTS (A) Each separate and unique residential or commercial use of a parcel, except home occupations, shall require the minimum lot area, buildable lot area, and frontage width as set forth in this Ordinance. (B) Each primary structure shall require the minimum lot area, buildable lot area, and frontage width as set forth in this Ordinance. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article III, Section 3.4 created effective 12/15/2025 3.5 INTERPRETATIONS OF SETBACK MEASUREMENTS (A) All setbacks shall be measured from the maximum horizontal projection of a structure to the nearest point of the lot line, road right-of-way, road centerline, or ordinary high water mark, unless otherwise required by Ordinance, Statute or Code. (B) When an accessory structure is attached to a principal structure, the entire structure must comply with all setbacks for a principal structure unless otherwise requires by Ordinance, Statue or Code. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article III, Section 3.5 created effective 12/15/2025 Page 41 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 9 ARTICLE IV: ZONING DISTRICT REGULATIONS Introduction and Explanation: Article IV contains the requirements for each of the zoning districts in Vilas County. The requirements include listing permitted and conditionally permitted uses. Table 1 at the end of this Ordinance summarizes the use requirements for each district. An Official Zoning Map is on file at the Zoning Administrator’s office and on-line at the Vilas County Government Website, with descriptions of district boundaries. Any change in the Zoning Map requires approval of the Vilas County Board following the procedures specified in Article IX of this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Introduction and Explanation, amended effective 6/1/2021 4.1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (R-1) (A) Purpose: The purpose of the Single-Family Residential District is to create areas for exclusive low-density residential use. This district prohibits the intrusion of uses incompatible with the quiet and comfort of such areas. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) Essential Services. (2) Forest management & silviculture. (3) Hobby farm. (4) Home occupation. (5) Parks, playgrounds, and golf courses. (6) Rental of a tourist rooming house for (7) or more consecutive days, consisting of a minimum of seven (7) twenty-four (24) hour periods. (7) Single family residence. (8) Single family mobile or manufactured home. (9) Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) (10) Level 1 & 2 Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations. (11) Camping on a parcel not within a campground or camping resort. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.1(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.1(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Bed and breakfast establishments. (2) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet. (3) Public and semi-public uses. (4) Utility facilities. (5) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.1(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height; garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.1(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.1(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 42 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 10 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.1(E) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.1(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.1(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.1(F) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.1(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2005-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.1(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory structure shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be in accordance with the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.1(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.1(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.1(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Article IV , Section 4.1(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.1(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 43 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 11 4.2 RESIDENTIAL / LODGING DISTRICT (RL) (A) Purpose: The Residential/Lodging District is to provide for areas with primarily low- density residential use, but with some mixing of low-density Transient Lodging (Transient Lodging is defined as: A commercial lodging establishment, which allows rental of sleeping quarters or dwelling units for periods of less than one month.) Transient Lodging use is a permitted use. Examples of these uses include residential dwellings, bed & breakfasts and resort establishments with no contiguous multiple-family dwelling units. Land use and density would also be subject to existing provisions within the Vilas County Shoreland and General Zoning Ordinance. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in the R-1 District. (2) Bed and breakfast establishments. (3) Tourist Rooming House. (4) Resort establishments with no contiguous multi-family dwelling units. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.2(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.2(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Group Lodging. (2) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet. (3) Public and semi-public uses. (4) Utility facilities. (5) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.2(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.2(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.2(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.2(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 44 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 12 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet. History: Amendment 85-287, Article IV , Section 4.2(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.2(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be in accordance with the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.2(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.2(G) amended effective 12/15/2025. (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.2(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.2 created effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.2(I) amended effective 12/15/2025. 4.3 MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (R-2) (A) Purpose: The Multi-Family Residential District is created to provide areas for apartments, townhouses, and condominiums, with the necessary supporting uses, but free from incompatible land uses. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in RL District. (2) Group lodging. (3) Mobile and manufactured home parks. (4) Multi-family residence. (5) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet. (6) Resorts. (7) Cottage Parks. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.3(B) amended effective 6/1/2021. Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.3(B) amended effective 12/15/2025. (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Public and semi-public uses. (2) Utility facilities. (3) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.3(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.3(C) amended effective 12/15/2025. Page 45 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 13 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.2(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional fifty 50 percent of the base minimum for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the mase minimums for each unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units; and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.2(E) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.3(E), amended effective 6/1/2021. Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.3(E) amended effective 12/15/2025. (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.2(F) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.3(F) amended effective 6/1/2021. Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.3(F) amended effective 12/15/2025. Page 46 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 14 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accord with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.3(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.3(G) amended effective 12/15/2025. (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.3(H) amended effective 12/15/2025. (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Section 4.2(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.2 renumbered to Section 4.3 effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance Amendment 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Section 4.3(I) amended effective 12/15/2025. 4.4 GENERAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (GB) (A) Purpose: The General Business District is established to create areas for a wide variety of commercial purposes on relatively large lots. Examples of types of uses for which the GB District is created include, but are not limited to, automotive sales, service and repair, building supply sales, recreation equipment sales and service, and retail sales and service. Non-commercial property owners in this district should be prepared to accept inconveniences associated with mixing potentially non-compatible land uses. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in R-2 District. (2) Agri-business. (3) Auto & RV sales, service, repair, except body shops. (4) Auto service stations. (5) Banks, credit unions and financial institutions. (6) Building & trade contractors, general and special. (7) Eating & drinking establishments. (8) Forest products industries. (9) Health care facilities. (10) Hotels and motels. (11) Indoor recreation establishments. (12) Professional offices. (13) Public and semi-public uses. (14) Retail sales and service services. (15) Roadside stands. (16) Sales, service and repair, misc. (17) Storage rental unit. (18) Single family residence attached to commercial use. Page 47 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 15 (19) Non-automotive vehicle and implement sales, repair and service. (20) Level 3 and DCFC electric vehicle charging stations. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.4(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.4(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Airports and landing fields. (2) Body shops. (3) Campgrounds and camping resorts. (4) Gun clubs and shooting ranges. (5) Kennels – commercial. (6) Marinas – commercial. (7) Objectionable emission of odor, dust, fumes, smoke and noise (e.g. recycling business) (8) Outdoor amusement facilities. (9) Riding stables. (10) Utility facilities. (11) Warehousing and wholesaling. (12) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.4(C) amended effective 12/15/2025. (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.3(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.4(D) amended effective 6/1/2021. (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of base minimums for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. Page 48 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 16 (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units; and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units; and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.3(E) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.4(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.4(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.3(E) amended effective 5/11/2025 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.4(F) amended effective 6/1/2021. Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.4(F) amended effective 12/15/2025. (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.4(G) amended effective 6/1/2021. Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.4(G) amended effective 12/15/2025. (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.4(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 49 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 17 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Article IV , Section 4.3(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.3 renumbered to Section 4.4 effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.4(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 4.5 COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICT (CB) (A) Purpose: The Community Business District is established to create, preserve and protect unincorporated villages, which have historically been places where retail stores and services have been located. Lot area and dimension requirements in the CB District are lower than in other districts in order to promote compact business district environments. Residential uses are limited as the compact development patterns permitted are not consistent with the comfort and welfare of large numbers of permanent residents or large single family homes. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.5(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Permitted Uses: (1) Auto service stations. (2) Banks, credit unions and financial institutions. (3) Bed and breakfast establishments. (4) Building & trade contractors, general & special. (5) Eating and drinking establishments. (6) Essential services. (7) Health care facilities. (8) Home occupations. (9) Hotels and motels. (10) Indoor recreation facilities. (11) Professional offices. (12) Public and semi-public uses. (13) Retail sales and service. (14) Sales, service and repair, misc. (15) Storage rental unit. (16) Single family residence attached to a commercial use. (17) Electric vehicle charging stations – all levels. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.5(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-8, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.5(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Automotive and RV sales, service and repairs. (2) Body shops. (3) Marinas – commercial. (4) Parks, playgrounds, and golf courses. (5) Private clubhouses. (6) Single family mobile or manufactured home whose footprint including all attached accessory structures shall not exceed 1200 square feet. (7) Multiple family dwelling units on second stories. Page 50 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 18 (8) New single family residence whose footprint including all attached accessory structures shall not exceed 1200 square feet. (9) Non-automotive vehicle and implement sales, service and repair. (10) Utility facilities. (11) Warehousing and wholesaling. (12) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.5(C) amended effective 6/1/2021. Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.5(C) amended effective 12/15/2025. (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.4(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.5(D) amended effective 6/1/2021. (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 6,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 10,000 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.4(E) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.5(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.5(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 51 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 19 (F) Minimum Lot Widths: (1) Sewered back lots: 65 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.4(F) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.5(F) amended effective 6/1/2021. Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.5(F) amended effective 12/15/2025. (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) No minimum road or centerline setbacks are required. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267. Article IV , Section 4.5(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.5(G) amended effective 12/15/2025. (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: No side yard setback requirements, except for Chapter 15 Vilas County Private Sewage System requirements. (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: No rear yard or right of way setback requirements, except for Chapter 15 Vilas County Private Sewage System requirements. History: Amendment 85-230, Article IV , Section 4.4(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.4 renumbered to Section 4.5 effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.5(I) amended effective 12/15/2025. 4.6 RESIDENTIAL / RECREATION DISTRICT (R/R) (A) Purpose: The Residential/Recreation District is created to provide for areas of mixed uses including single and multi-family residences, and shoreland-related recreational uses. This district is designed to be more restrictive than the existing Recreation Zoning District in its types of uses and less restrictive than the Residential/Lodging District. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in the R/L District except Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF). (2) Campgrounds & camping resorts. (3) Eating & drinking establishments. (4) Hotels & motels. (5) Multi-family residence. (6) Multi-family residence on second stories. (7) Public and semi-public uses. (8) Retail sales and service. (9) Roadside stand. (10) Mobile and Manufactured Home Parks. Page 52 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 20 (11) Level 3 and DCFC electric vehicle charging stations located at hotels or motels. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.6(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.6(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF). (2) Group lodging. (3) Indoor recreation facilities. (4) Marinas – commercial. (5) Outdoor amusement facilities. (6) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet. (7) Professional offices. (8) Storage rental units. (9) Utility facilities. (10) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.6(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.6(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.6(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot are and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units: and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. Page 53 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 21 (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot are and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.6(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Section 4.6(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.6(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.6(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.6(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.6(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.6(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.6 created effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.6(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 4.7 RECREATION DISTRICT (REC) (A) Purpose: The Recreation District is created to provide areas primarily for businesses oriented toward outdoor recreation. Examples of types of uses for which the REC District is created include, but are not limited to, commercial marinas, snowmobile facilities and motels. Property owners in this district should be prepared to accept inconveniences associated with mixing potentially non-compatible land uses. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in the General Business (GB) Zoning District except CBRF. (2) Campground and camping resort. (3) Kennels – commercial. Page 54 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 22 (4) Marina – commercial. (5) Outdoor amusement facility. (6) Riding stable. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.7(B) amended effective 12/15/2025. (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Airports and landing strips. (2) Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF). (3) Gun clubs and shooting ranges. (4) Objectionable emission of odor, dust, fumes, smoke and noise (E.g. recycling business). (5) Utility facility. (6) Warehousing and wholesaling. (7) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-171, Article IV , Section 4.5(C) amended effective 9/17/2002 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.7(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.7(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.5(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.7(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units; and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. Page 55 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 23 (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.5(E) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.7(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.7(E) amended effective 12/15/2025. (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.5(F) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.7(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.7(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.7(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.7(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.7(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Article IV , Section 4.5(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.5 renumbered to Section 4.7 effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.7(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 56 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 24 4.8 WOODED RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (WR) (A) Purpose: The Wooded Residential District is intended primarily for single and multifamily residential uses on standard size lots (1.5 acres or greater). With some additional uses allowed for storage rental units, building and trade contractors, and limited others that could be compatible as conditional uses. The conditions that could apply to any commercial uses could directly relate to the intensity of the proposed use, as the intent of this zoning district is primarily for residential uses. However, the occurrence of this type of preferred use being located along roads suggests that some mixing of residential and less-intensive commercial uses should occur due to road access and the existing mixed development pattern. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.8(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in the R-1 District. (2) Bed & breakfast establishments. (3) Forest product industries. (4) Multi-family residence. (5) Multi-family residential units on second stories. (6) Professional offices. (7) Roadside stands. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.8(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Building and trade contractors, general and special. (2) Eating & drinking establishments. (3) Group lodging. (4) Indoor recreation facilities. (5) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet. (6) Public and semi-public uses. (7) Resorts. (8) Storage rental unit. (9) Utility facilities. (10) Cottage park. (11) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.8(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.8(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.8(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 57 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 25 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units; and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.8(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.8(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.8(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Article IV , Section 4.8(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.8(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.8(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 58 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 26 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.8(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.8 created effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.8(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 4.9 RURAL RESIDENTIAL / LIGHT MIXED-USE DISTRICT (RRL) (A) Purpose: The Rural Residential/Light Mixed-use District is created to provide areas for low density single and multifamily residential uses on larger lots (five acres minimum), but with some mixed uses as conditional uses to reduce incompatibility. Examples of mixed uses expected to occur in this district are eating and drinking establishments, retail sales, building and trade contractors, heavy equipment storage and sales, service and repair. The intensity of some uses would be greater than the Wooded Residential District. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in the Single Family Residential (R-1) District, except CBRF. (2) Agriculture. (3) Bed & breakfast establishments. (4) Building and trade contractors, general and special. (5) Eating & drinking establishments. (6) Forest product industries. (7) Multi-family residence. (8) Multi-family residences on second stories. (9) Professional offices. (10) Resorts. (11) Roadside stands. (12) Single-family residences attached to commercial uses. (13) Cottage park. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.9(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) (2) Group lodging. (3) Heavy equipment storage yards. (4) Indoor recreation facilities. (5) Kennels – commercial. (6) Objectionable emission of odor, dust, fumes, smoke and noise (E.g. recycling business) (7) Outdoor amusement facilities. (8) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet. (9) Public and semi-public uses. (10) Retail sales and service. Page 59 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 27 (11) Riding stables. (12) Sales, service and repair, misc. (13) Storage rental units. (14) Utility facilities. (15) Earth materials storage yard. (16) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.9(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Article IV , Section 4.9(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B) History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.9(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet of frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 5 acres minimum lot area. (b) 2 acres minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units; and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.9(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.9(E) amended effective 12/15/2025. Page 60 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 28 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet. (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.9(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.9(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.9(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.9(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 30 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 10 feet. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.9(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 30 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 10 feet. History: Amendment 85-237, Article 4.9 created effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.9(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 4.10 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT (I) (A) Purpose: The Industrial District is created to provide areas for industrial and commercial activities, which are not compatible with residential uses. While the district does permit general commercial uses, such users enter the district aware incompatibilities may affect their property. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Permitted Uses: (1) Agri-business. (2) Auto & RV sales, service and repair. (3) Auto service stations. (4) Body shops. (5) Building and trade contractors, general and special. (6) Essential services. (7) Forest product industries. (8) Heavy equipment storage yards. (9) Manufacture, processing, fabrication, packing, packaging and assembly of products. (10) Motor freight terminals. (11) Professional offices. Page 61 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 29 (12) Retail sales and service. (13) Sales, service and repair, misc. (14) Storage rental units. (15) Non-automotive vehicle and implement sales, service, and repair. (16) Utility facilities. (17) Warehousing and wholesaling. (18) Bottled water source site. (19) Electric vehicle charging stations – all levels. (20) Earth materials storage yard. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Adult use. (2) Airports and landing fields. (3) Non-metallic mining. (4) Objectionable emission of odor, dust, fumes, smoke and noise (E.g. recycling business). (5) Salvage and junkyards. (6) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: Principal and accessory buildings may be erected to a height not exceeding 60 feet mean height, provided each building exceeding 35 feet mean height is located at least 60 feet from the nearest property line; garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.6(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Minimum Lot Area: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 3 acres minimum lot area. (b) 1.5 acres minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 3 acres minimum lot area. (b) 1.5 acres minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each unit, except as required in Section 4.10(F)(2) below. Page 62 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 30 (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 3 acres minimum lot area. (b) 1.5 acres minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 3 acres minimum lot area. (b) 1.5 acres minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each unit, except as required in Section 4.10(F)(2) below. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.6(E) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) No portion of a lot shall be less than 300 feet in width. (2) For lake lots, additional contiguous units shall include an additional 100 feet of water frontage for each additional unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be in accordance with the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10(G) effective 12/15/2025 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 50 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 30 feet. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.10(H) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10(H) amended effective 12/15/2025. (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 50 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 30 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Section 4.6(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.6 renumbered to 4.10 effective 11/24/2010 Amendment 85-267, Section 4.10(I) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 63 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 31 4.11 FORESTRY DISTRICT (F) (A) Purpose: The Forestry District is created to set aside areas for forestry and other land uses. The purpose of the Forestry District is to reduce public service demands, particularly school transportation and snow removal, in remote areas and to promote the preservation of forestlands for sustained yielded forestry, wildlife habitats, aesthetics, and recreation. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) All uses permitted in the RL District. (2) Agri-business. (3) Agriculture. (4) Auto and RV sales, service and repair. (5) Auto service stations. (6) Banks, credit unions and financial institutions. (7) Bed and breakfast establishments. (8) Campgrounds and camping resorts. (9) Eating and drinking establishments. (10) Forest product industries. (11) Marinas – commercial. (12) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet. (13) Private hunting cabin. (14) Resorts. (15) Retail sales and service. (16) Riding stables. (17) Roadside stands. (18) Storage rental units. (19) Single family residence attached to a commercial use. (20) Non-automotive vehicle and implement sales, service and repair. (21) Electric vehicle charging stations – all levels. (22) Camping on a parcel not within a campground or camping resort. (23) Cottage park. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11 (B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Adult Use. (2) Airports and landing fields. (3) Gun clubs and shooting ranges. (4) Kennels – commercial. (5) Non-metallic mining. (6) Objectionable emission of odor, dust, fumes, smoke and noise. (E.g. recycling business). (7) Public and semi-public uses. (8) Utility facilities. (9) Warehousing and wholesaling. (10) Earth materials storage yard. Page 64 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 32 (11) Heavy equipment storage yard. (12) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B), except farm buildings related to the production of agricultural products. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.7(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Minimum Lot Area: (1) 5 acres minimum lot area. (2) 2.5 acres minimum contiguous buildable area. (3) Additional contiguous units shall include 20 percent of the base minimums for each unit, except as required in Section 4.11(F)(2) below. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) No portion of a lot shall be less than 300 feet in width. (2) For lake lots, additional contiguous units shall include an additional 100 feet of water frontage for each unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be in accordance with the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 20 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 10 feet History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(H) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 20 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 10 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Article IV , Section 4.7(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.7 renumbered to Section 4.11 effective 11/24/2010 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.11(I) effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 65 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 33 4.12 AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT (A) (A) Purpose: The purposes of the Agriculture District are to preserve land and water resources for food and fiber production, and preserve productive farms by preventing land use conflicts between incompatible uses. The district is generally intended to apply to lands in productive farm operations including lands historically exhibiting good crop yields or capable of such yields; lands which have been demonstrated to be productive for dairying, livestock raising and grazing; land suitable for specialty crops such as cranberry production, sod farms, Christmas trees and other types of food and fiber products. Wood lots and forested land, which are part of a commercial farm operation may be included in the district. (B) Permitted Uses: (1) Agri-business. (2) Agriculture. (3) Bed and breakfast establishments. (4) Essential services. (5) Forest management and silviculture. (6) Forest product industries. (7) Hobby farm. (8) Home occupation. (9) Parks, playgrounds and gold courses. (10) Riding stables. (11) Roadside stands. (12) Single family residence. (13) Single family mobile or manufactured home. (14) Structures and improvements consistent with and contributing to agricultural use. (15) Level 1 and 2 Electric vehicle charging stations within an agricultural operation. (16) Level 3 and DCFC Electric Vehicle Charging Stations located within an agricultural operation. (17) Camping on a parcel not within a campground or camping resort. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.12(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) which may require greater setbacks. (2) Multi-family residence. (3) Multi-family residence on second story. (4) Non-metallic mining. (5) Objectionable emission of odor, dust, fumes, smoke and noise (E.g. recycling business). (6) Public and semi-public uses. (7) Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) (8) Single family residence attached to a commercial use. (9) Utility facilities. (10) Warehousing and wholesaling. Page 66 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 34 (11) Earth materials storage yard. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.12(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B) except farm buildings related to the production of agricultural products. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.8(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Minimum Lot Area: (1) 35 acres. (2) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 43,560 square feet of buildable lot area. (3) Lake lots require an additional 300 feet of frontage per each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 (F) Minimum Lot Width: No portion of a lot shall be less than 300 feet in width. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.12(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be in accordance with the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.12(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 20 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 20 feet. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(H) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.12(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 20 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 20 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Article IV , Section 4.8(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.8 renumbered to Section 4.12 effective 11/24/2010 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.12(I) effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.12(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 67 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 35 4.13 ALL PURPOSE DISTRICT (AP) (A) Purpose: The All Purpose District is created to provide areas for a variety of mixed uses. Land in this district may be used for mixed purpose, however, such uses are subject to the provisions of the Ordinance, and all other Local, State and Federal regulations. (B) Permitted Uses: All uses are permitted except those uses requiring a conditional use permit. (C) Conditional Uses: (1) Adult use. (2) Airports and landing fields. (3) Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF) (4) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) which may require greater setbacks (5) Gun clubs and shooting ranges. (6) Manufacture, processing, fabrication, packing, packaging and assembly of products. (7) Non-metallic mining. (8) Objectionable emission of odor, dust, fumes, smoke and noise. (E.g. recycling business) (9) Outdoor amusement facility. (10) Salvage and junkyard. (11) Utility facilities. (12) Warehousing and wholesaling. (13) Bottled water source site. (14) Earth materials storage yard. (15) Erection of a structure on an Outlot. History: Amendment 85-171, Article IV , Section 4.9(C) amended effective 9/17/2002 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.13(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.13(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Building Height Limits: (1) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (2) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B) except farm buildings related to the production of agricultural products. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.9(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.13(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 68 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 36 (E) Minimum Lot Area and Frontage Width: (1) Sewered back lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit (2) Sewered lake lots: (a) 10,000 square feet minimum lot area and 65 feet frontage width. (b) 4,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: (a) 65,340 square feet minimum lot area. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus: (i) An additional 15 percent of the base minimums for each of the first three additional units; and (ii) An additional 20 percent of the base minimums for each additional unit beyond the first three. (4) Unsewered lake lots: (a) 20,000 square feet minimum lot area and 100 feet of frontage width. (b) 16,500 square feet minimum contiguous buildable lot area. (c) Additional contiguous units shall include the base minimum requirements for each structure plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.9(E) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.13(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.13(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Minimum Lot Width: (1) Sewered back lots: 100 feet. (2) Sewered lake lots: 65 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each contiguous unit. (3) Unsewered back lots: 100 feet (4) Unsewered lake lots: 100 feet, plus an additional 50 percent of the base minimums for each additional contiguous unit. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IV , Section 4.9(F) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.13(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 84-283, Article IV , Section 4.13(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Road and Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) Setback Requirements: (1) Road setbacks for principal and accessory buildings shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. (2) The minimum setback for a structure from the OHWM shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IV , Section 4.13(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.13(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 69 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 37 (H) Side Yard Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.13(H) amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Rear Yard and Right of Way Setback Requirements: (1) Principal and all attached structures: 15 feet. (2) Accessory structures: 5 feet. History: Amendment 85-230, Article IV , Section 4.9(I) amended effective 11/25/2009 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.9 renumbered to Section 4.13 effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.13(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 4.14 METALLIC MINERAL EXPLORATION OVERLAY DISTRICT (ME) (A) Purpose: The Metallic Mineral Exploration District is an overlay district created to provide for the conduct of exploration for metallic minerals as defined in the Vilas County Metallic Mining Ordinance. (B) Description: As an overlay district, the Metallic Mineral Exploration District exists concurrently with the original and underlying zoning district. As such, the regulations and standards affecting the underlying district shall be as set forth in this Ordinance, and the regulations and standards affecting metallic mineral exploration shall be as set forth in the Vilas County Metallic Mining Ordinance. (C) Permitted Districts: The Metallic Mineral Exploration District shall only be permitted as an overlay district in the Forestry(F) and Industrial(I) districts as set forth in this Ordinance. History: Amendment #85-139, Article IV , Section 4.10 created effective 6/16/1999. Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.10 renumbered Section 4.14 effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.10 title amended effective 12/15/2025 4.15 METALLIC MINING AND PROSPECTING OVERLAY DISTRICT (MM) (A) Purpose: The Metallic Mining and Prospecting District is created to provide for the conduct of prospecting and/or mining for metallic minerals. (B) Creation: Designation of an area as a Metallic Mining and Prospecting District shall be done in accordance with the rezoning requirements of this Ordinance and state law in conjunction with the requirements set forth in the Vilas County Metallic Mining Ordinance. (C) Description: Mining and prospecting shall be allowed in the Metallic Mining and Prospecting District in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth in the Vilas County Metallic Mining Ordinance. Page 70 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 38 (D) Uses: All uses allowed in the original zoning district from which the Metallic Mining and Prospecting District was created shall be allowed but only as conditional uses subject to the provisions of this Ordinance and the other regulations of the original zoning district. (E) Permitted Districts: The Metallic Mining and Prospecting District (MM) shall only be permitted as an overlay district in the Forestry (F) and Industrial (I) districts as set forth in this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-139, Article IV , Section 4.11 created effective 6/16/1999 Amendment 85-234, Article IV , Section 4.11 renumbered Section 4.15 effective 11/24/2010 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.11 title amended, Section 4.15(E) added effective 12/15/2025 4.16 FARMLAND PRESERV ATION OVERLAY DISTRICT (FP) (A) Purpose: The purpose of the Farmland Preservation District is an overlay district to preserve and maintain highly productive agricultural lands in food and fiber production by effectively limiting encroachment of non-agricultural development and minimizing land use conflicts among incompatible uses. (B) Description: As an overlay district, the Farmland Preservation District exists concurrently with the original underlying zoning district. As such, the regulations and standards affecting the underlying district shall be as set forth in this Ordinance, unless the provisions of this overlay district are more restrictive, in which case the greater restriction shall be applicable. (C) Inclusion or Removal of Lands: Designation of an area as a Farmland Preservation District shall be accomplished in accordance with Section 9.5 of this Ordinance. Removal of the Farmland Preservation District shall be accomplished in accordance with Sections 9.5 and 9.8 of this Ordinance and Section 91.48 of Wisconsin Statutes. (D) Permitted Districts: The Farmland Preservation District shall only be permitted as an overlay district in the Agricultural (A), Forestry (F), and All-Purpose (AP) Zoning Districts as set forth in this Ordinance. (E) Permitted Uses: (1) Agriculture. (2) Agricultural accessory uses. (3) Agri-business. (4) Essential Services. (5) Forest management and silviculture. (6) Forest product industries. (7) Roadside stand. (8) Farm residence. Page 71 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 39 (F) Conditional Uses: (1) Essential services in accordance with Wis. Stat. 91.46(4). (2) Public and semi-public uses in accordance with Wis. Stat. 91.46(5). (3) Non-metallic mining in accordance with Wis. Stat. 91.46(6). (4) Utility facilities in accordance with Wis. Stat. 91.46(4). (G) Nonconforming Uses: Uses which existed prior to December 15, 2025 and which do not meet the requirements of this Section shall be subject to the requirements of Article VIII of this Ordinance and Wis. Stat. 59.69(10). History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IV , Section 4.16 created effective 12/15/2025 Page 72 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 40 This page intentionally left blank. Page 73 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 41 ARTICLE V: REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC USES Introduction and Explanation: Article V contains rules regulating certain specific uses which have potentially high impact in terms of health, safety, and general welfare, the environment, aesthetics, traffic generation and valuation of adjacent and nearby properties. These requirements must be met regardless of whether the use is a permitted use requiring only a Zoning Permit, or a conditional use requiring a Conditional Use Permit. 5.1 ADULT USE (A) Adult use shall only be permitted in the Industrial (I), Forestry (F), and All Purpose (AP) Zoning Districts and shall require a Conditional Use Permit. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.1(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) No adult use shall be located within one (1) mile of a school, religious institution, outdoor public recreation use, or any other adult use. Distances shall be measures in a straight line without regard to intervening structures or objects from the closes point of the structure or portion of the structure occupied or proposed for occupancy by the adult use to the nearest point of the lot of the other references land use. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.1 created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.1(B) amended effective 12/15/2025. 5.2 CAMPING AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES (A) Campgrounds, Camping Resorts and Primitive Campgrounds (1) A minimum lot area of five (5) acres is required. (2) A minimum width of 300 feet of road frontage and 300 feet of water frontage is required. For every acre over five (5) an additional 75 feet of water frontage is required. (3) The maximum density shall be 15 campsites per acre of buildable lot area. (4) Access Points (a) A maximum or two vehicular access points from public roads or private easement roads shall be permitted. (b) A third vehicular access point may be permitted provided it is designed to accommodate employee and maintenance vehicles only. (c) No individual campsite may have a direct access point to a public road or private easement road. (5) Outer boundaries shall contain thirty (30) feet of a buffer zone consisting of a greenbelt with coniferous trees and shrubs. (6) No campsites shall be within thirty (30) feet of the campground or camping resort outside boundary. (7) No campsites shall be within 75 feet of the Ordinary High-water Mark (OHWM) of a navigable body of water. (8) Campsite Dimensions and Identification (a) Each campsite shall require a minimum area of 2,000 square feet. (b) Corners of sites shall be marked by permanent markers. (c) Each site shall be given a unique site number which shall be noted with a permanent marker easily visible from the nearest access road. Page 74 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 42 (9) Individual campsites within a campground or camping resort shall not be sold or transferred. (10) Retail Sales (a) Convenience establishments of a commercial nature, such as gasoline and grocery sales, are permitted in a campground providing such establishments and their related parking areas shall not occupy more than ten (10) percent of the total campground area. (b) Such uses shall be subordinate to the recreational character of the camp; and (c) They shall be located, designed and intended to serve the needs of the campground occupants. (11) Drainage (a) All parks shall be located on a well-drained area, not subject to intermittent flooding. (b) The premises shall be graded to prevent accumulation of drainage or stormwater. (c) Exposed ground surfaces in a parking area shall be paved or covered with stone screening, other solid materials, or protected with vegetative growth capable of preventing soil erosion and eliminating objectionable dust. (12) Parking Every campsite shall be provided with two (2) off-street parking spaces. (13) Permits and Plans Required (a) A Zoning Permit shall be required for the creation or expansion of a campground unless a Conditional Use Permit is required under Article IV of this Ordinance. (b) All structures erected within a campground, camping resort, or campsite shall require a separate zoning permits (E.g. decks, sheds, garages, etc.) (c) If a permit is requested for a new campground, or a campground expansion, a plan drawing of the entire proposed and existing campground shall be submitted with the application showing all sites with site numbers and borders, roads, structures, buffer zones, water sources, sanitation facilities, and other necessary improvements or planned amenities. Such plan shall be forwarded on to County and local municipal services in order to facilitate emergency response. (14) Sewage System (a) A safe community sewage system or public sewer shall be provided in all campgrounds. (b) Systems shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance and any other applicable Local or State codes. (c) Private septic systems or holding tanks serving individual campsites shall not be permitted in campgrounds or camping resorts, excepting one site which is designed to serve a campground host. (15) For the purposes of this Section, adjacent parcels, including those separated by a public road, shall constitute a single campground and shall be subject to density and frontage requirements in its entirety. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Sections 5.2(K)-(P) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Sections 5.2(A)-(P) renumbered 5.2(A)(1)-(14) and amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.2(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 75 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 43 (B) Camping on Undeveloped Lots Not Within a Campground or Camping Resort Camping is allowed on an undeveloped lot not within a campground or camping resort provided: (1) All requirements of the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance are fully complied with; and (2) No more than one campsite per lot. (3) Written permission has been granted be the Town Board/Authorized Town Official or by a Town Ordinance. (4) All setback and lot requirements for a primary structure are met. (5) A Zoning Permit has been issued. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.2(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.2(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Camping on Developed Lots Not Within a Campground or Camping Resort (1) A one (1) week occupation for one (1) recreational vehicle, once per calendar year, is permitted for the convenience of the property owner. This provision is not permitted for habitable structures which are used as a Tourist Rooming House. (2) The use of a recreational vehicle within a structure for dwelling, occupation, or sleeping purposes shall render that structure a habitable structure, and it shall meet all requirements in this Ordinance for a habitable structure. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.2(C) created effective 12/15/2025 (D) A recreational vehicle may be used for dwelling, occupation or sleeping purposes provided it is on the same lot where a zoning permit and building permit have been issued for a new habitable dwelling. Such temporary occupancy shall be permitted for up to one (1) year provided the recreational vehicle is connected to adequate sanitary facilities. Such occupancy must cease once the occupancy permit has been issued for the dwelling. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.2(D) created effective 12/15/2025 (E) The parking of unoccupied recreational vehicles may be located on a lot provided each meets the setback requirements for a structure and is not used for dwelling or sleeping purposes. All provisions for occupancy (awnings, steps, water, or sewer hookups, etc.) shall be stowed. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.2(E) created effective 12/15/2025 5.3 CLUBHOUSES (A) Clubhouses less than 1,000 square feet in size associated with parks, playgrounds, golf courses, condominium associations, apartment complexes, mobile home parks, resorts, campgrounds, or other similar uses are permitted with those uses provided access is only available to the occupants of the associated use. (B) Private clubhouses exceeding 1,000 square feet shall be permitted as listed in Article IV of this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.3 created effective 6/1/2025 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.3(A)&(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 76 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 44 5.4 COMMERCIAL MARINAS (A) Marina Location: Shall be located more than five hundred (500) feet from any public bathing beach or park. (B) Compatibility: Shall be designed and constructed so as not to interfere with adjacent riparian owner’s uses of the water for swimming, fishing or boating, nor interfere with the public’s free navigation. (C) Location of Fuel: Fueling pumps and tanks shall be located two (2) feet above the normal water elevation, and no fuel hose shall extend beyond a point necessary to fuel boats at the closest proximity to land. (D) Waste Disposal: All commercial marinas shall be equipped with facilities for the disposition of domestic wastes, including septage waste, from boats. (E) Dimensional Requirements: For commercial marinas and boat liveries: (1) Minimum lot area requirement – 60,000 square feet. (2) Minimum lot width at the waterline – 200 feet. (F) Marinas Prohibited: Commercial marinas on lakes of less than 200 surface acres are prohibited unless the lake is part of a chain of two (2) or more connecting bodies of water whose cumulative surface acreage is 200 acres. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.3 renumbered Section 5.4 effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.4(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 5.5 COMMUNITY BASED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES (CBRF) (A) Community Based Residential Facilities. (1) A place providing care and maintenance, and up to three (3) hours of intermediate nursing care per week per person, to five (5) or more adults not related to the care provider or facility administrator governed by provisions in Wisconsin Statutes. (2) A place providing room and board. (B) CBRF and Community Living Arrangements Community living arrangements (group homes) as defined in 46.03(22) including the following: (1) Community living arrangement means any of the following facilities licensed or operated, or permitted under the authority of the Department of Health Services: (a) Residential care centers for children and youth, as defined in s. 48.02(15d), operated by child welfare agencies licensed under s.48.60; (b) Group homes for children, as defined in s. 48.02(7), and community-based residential facilities, as defined in s. 50.01(1g); (c) Does not include adult family homes, as defined in s. 50.01(1), day care centers, nursing homes, general hospitals, special hospitals, prisons, and jails. Page 77 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 45 (2) Community living arrangements shall be subject to the same building and housing ordinances, codes and regulations of the municipality or county as similar residences located in the area in which the facility is located. (3) The Department of Health Services shall designate a subunit to keep records and supply information on community living arrangements under ss. 59.69(15)(f), 60.63(7) and 62.23(7)(i)6. The subunit shall be responsible for receiving all complaints regarding community living arrangements and for coordinating all necessary investigatory and disciplinary actions under the laws of this state and under the rules of the Department of Health Services relating to the licensing of community living arrangements. (4) A community living arrangement with a capacity for eight (8) or fewer persons shall be a permissible use for purposes of any deed covenant which limits use of property to single-family or 2-family residences. A community living arrangement with a capacity for fifteen (15) or fewer persons shall be a permissible use for purposes of any deed covenant which limits use of property to more than 2-family residences. Covenants in deeds which expressly prohibit use of property for community living arrangements are void as against public policy. (5) If a community living arrangement is required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit, as defined in s 59.69(15)(g), the Department of Health Services shall, at the request of the unit of government responsible for granting a Conditional Use Permit permission, inspect the proposed facility and review the program proposed for the facility. After such inspection and review, the Department of Health Services shall transmit to the unit of government responsible for granting the Conditional Use Permit a statement that the proposed facility and its proposed program have been examined and are either approved or disapproved by the Department of Health Services. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.5 created effective 6/1/2021 5.6 CONDOMINIUMS (A) Introduction, Special and General Requirements: (1) Intent (a) This section is created to clarify the application of zoning requirements, density requirements and legal descriptions on parcel(s) to be covered by a condominium plan and condominium declaration. (b) Condominiums are regulated in Vilas County to: (i) Protect residents and non-residents and their use, values and enjoyment of property; (ii) Protect public health, safety, comfort and general welfare; (iii) Minimize traffic congestion through proper ingress and egress; and (iv) Ensure conformance with applicable uses within the zoning districts in which a condominium is located. (2) Condominium Creation A condominium may be created within Vilas County pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 703 of the Wisconsin Statues. Page 78 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 46 (3) Condominium Final Plat Approval and Condominium Preliminary Plat Review and Approval: (a) Prior notification of a condominium review shall be sent to the Town Clerk of all towns which do not have their own zoning ordinance. The County Board Supervisor of jurisdiction shall be notified in all instances of a review of a proposed condominium. (b) A preliminary condominium plat shall be submitted for review and approval by the Vilas County Zoning Administrator and Vilas County Zoning and Planning Committee. (c) The Vilas County Zoning and Planning Committee after initial review may provide, for the public, an informational meeting prior to preliminary approval. (d) Final condominium plats, final and preliminary condominium plat addenda, declaration and declaration amendments shall be submitted and approved by the Vilas County Zoning Administrator prior to recording condominium instruments with the Vilas County Register of Deeds. (4) An addendum is required any time the condominium plat is substantially altered. A substantial alteration would include any encroachment into the common area or limited common element unless the plat specifies the common or limited common element may be use in another particular manner. (5) Consecutively Numbered Units All units shall be consecutively numbered on the plat (Unit numbers may not contain more than eight (8) numerals and must be unique throughout the condominium). (6) Statutory Requirements The final condominium plat shall be drafted in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 703, Wisconsin Statues. (7) Unit Compliance with Zoning and Sanitary Ordinances Each individual unit, when constructed, expanded or altered shall conform to the current applicable Vilas County Ordinances. (8) Expansion Areas All expansion areas shall be noted on the face of the plat. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.8(A) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(A) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Definitions: (1) Definitions for this section shall be as set forth in Chapter 703 of Wisconsin Statutes. (2) Terms which are not defined in Wisconsin Statues shall be as defined in Article XI of this Ordinance. (3) For the purpose of this section, “substantial changes” shall mean any changes which affect more than one unit, which increase or decrease the number of units, which alter a unit boundary, which alter the proposed or alternate POWTS areas, which provide additional structures greater than 100 square feet in area within the common or limited common element, or which substantially alter the layout or operation of the Condominium as determined by the Zoning Administrator. History: Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(B) amended effective 8/30/2006 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 79 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 47 (C) Standards for New Construction: (1) Introduction Construction of new units on property to be part of a new condominium shall conform to the current Vilas County General and Shoreland Zoning, Private Sewage System, and Subdivision Control Ordinances. (2) Alternative Suitability Requirements (a) Proof of the availability of primary and alternate system areas for privately owned wastewater treatment systems (POWTS) for all units complying with the requirements of the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Chapter 15 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 383 shall be provided and shown on the plat. (b) Soil evaluation reports which conform to Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 385.20 shall be submitted for each primary and alternate area. (3) Height Limitation All proposed structures shall meet the requirements of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance. (4) Minimum Parcel Size All new condominium parcels shall meet the minimum lot area and buildable lot area requirements as described in this and the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinances. (5) Frontage and/or Width Requirements All new condominium parcels shall meet the minimum frontage width and minimum lot width requirements as described in this and the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinances. History: Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(C) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Standards for Condominium Expansion: (1) Introduction Expansion condominium allows additional unit(s), additional property or both to be added to a condominium provided the additions are in accordance with the declaration, the Vilas County Zoning and Subdivision Control Ordinances, and Wisconsin Statutes. (2) Alternative Suitability Requirements (a) Proof of the availability of primary and alternate system areas for privately owned wastewater treatment systems (POWTS) for all units complying with the requirements of the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Chapter 15 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 383 shall be provided and shown on the plat. (b) Soil evaluation reports which conform to Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 385.20 shall be submitted for each primary and alternate area. (c) A report shall be submitted for all existing POWTS which meets the requirements of the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Section 15.25(3)(b)-(d) unless the POWTS are to be abandoned and replaced. (d) All existing POWTS which do not meet the requirements of Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 383 shall be replaced within one (1) year of the preliminary approval. Page 80 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 48 (3) Height Limitation (a) All newly constructed structures shall meet the requirements of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance. (b) All previously constructed structures shall meet the minimum requirements of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance at the time each structure was constructed. (4) Minimum Parcel Size All expandable condominium parcels shall meet the minimum lot area and buildable lot area requirements as described in the Vilas County General Zoning and Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinances. (5) Frontage and/or Width Requirements All new condominium parcels shall meet the minimum frontage width and minimum lot width requirements as described in the Vilas County General Zoning and Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinances. (6) Expansion Requirements (a) All expandable condominiums must indicate the final total number and the approximate placement of the condominium units anticipated for the parcel. (b) Expandable condominiums cannot be added to conversion condominiums unless the combined conversion and expandable condominium complies with the minimum requirements for lot area, buildable lot area, frontage width and lot width requirements for the total number of units proposed. (c) Each expansion phase must receive both preliminary and final plat approval by the Vilas County Zoning Administrator to ensure that the expansion complies with the current ordinances in effect at the time of expansion. (d) If the final condominium plat for the expansion area substantially conforms to the layout approved on the preliminary expansion approval, it shall be entitled to approval with respect to such layout. History: Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(D) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6(D) amended effective 6/1/2025 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(D) amended effective 12/15/2025 (E) Standards for Conversion Condominiums: (1) Introduction (a) Conversion condominiums allow for a parcel of land with one or more existing structures to be converted to a condominium form of ownership. (b) Licensed resorts are allowed to maintain the dwelling unit density that may exist on a resort property. (2) Alternative Suitability Requirement (a) Proof of the availability of primary and alternate system areas for privately owned wastewater treatment systems (POWTS) for all units complying with the requirements of the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Chapter 15 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 383 shall be provided and shown on the plat. (b) Soil evaluation reports which conform to Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 385.20 shall be submitted for each primary and alternate area. Page 81 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 49 (c) A report shall be submitted for all existing POWTS which meets the requirements of the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Section 15.25(3)(b)-(d) unless the POWTS are to be replaced or abandoned. (d) All existing POWTS which do not meet the requirements of Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 383 shall be replaced within one (1) year of the preliminary approval. (3) Height Limitation (a) All newly constructed structures shall meet the requirements of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance. (b) All previously constructed structures shall meet the minimum requirements of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance at the time each structure was constructed. (4) Parcel Size and Frontage Requirements (a) Where existing single dwelling unit structure(s), and/or existing multiple-family dwelling unit structure(s), rental or non-rental, not part of a resort, are to be part of a condominium declaration, such property shall not be converted until a final condominium plat is approved by the Vilas County Zoning Administrator. (b) All conversion condominiums parcels shall meet the minimum lot area, minimum buildable lot area, minimum frontage width and minimum lot width requirements ad described in the Vilas County General Zoning, Vilas County Shoreland Zoning and Vilas County Subdivision Control Ordinances. (c) Zoning Compliance A condominium plat shall not be approved for a resort which was not constructed in compliance with the County Zoning Ordinances applicable at the such resort was constructed, made alterations, or made additions unless corrections are made to comply with the applicable zoning regulation. (d) Resorts shall not be converted until a final condominium plat is approved by the Vilas County Zoning Administrator. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.8(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(D) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(E) amended 12/15/2025 (F) Commercial (Non-Residential) Condominiums: (1) Will be subject to the requirements of the Vilas County Ordinances. They will be treated as principal structures. (2) Will be limited to fifty (50) percent impervious surface area off water, except in Community Business District. Impervious surface requirements see Article III, Section 3.2(E). (3) Lot areas and widths, structure sizes, setbacks, impervious areas, mitigation requirements, land disturbance areas, privately owned wastewater treatment system requirements, parking requirements, and any other construction or improvement shall conform to the requirements of any and all other applicable Vilas County Ordinances. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.8(F) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(F) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 82 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 50 (G) Land-Only Units (Building Pad Condominiums): (1) Land-only units of property to be part of a condominium shall conform to Vilas County Ordinances. (2) Land-only condominium regulations apply only where no structures have been constructed prior to recording the condominium declaration and plat. (3) Land-only condominium does not apply where any unit is located above or below any other unit. (4) POWTS Requirement (a) Proof of the availability of primary and alternate system areas for privately owned wastewater treatment systems (POWTS) for all units complying with the requirements of the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Chapter 15 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 383 shall be provided and shown on the plat. (b) Soil evaluation reports which conform to Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 385.20 shall be submitted for each unit. (5) Minimum Parcel Size All new condominium parcels shall meet the minimum lot area and minimum buildable lot area requirements as described in the Vilas County General Zoning and Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinances. (6) Frontage and/or Width Requirements All new condominium parcels shall meet the minimum frontage width and minimum lot width requirements as described in the Vilas County General Zoning and Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinances. (7) Setback Requirements Unit boundaries shall be treated as lot lines for the purposes of structure setbacks within land-only units. History: Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(G) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Article V , Section 5.6(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 (H) Condominium Preliminary Plat Requirements and Approval: (1) Condominium preliminary plats are subject to the requirements of this Ordinances, the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning and Subdivision Control Ordinances, and Chapter 703 of Wisconsin Statutes. (2) Prior notification of a proposed condominium shall be sent to the Town Clerk and County Board Supervisor of jurisdiction, the property owner, and applicable surveyor. (3) A preliminary condominium plat shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for review, who will forward the plat to the Zoning and Planning Committee for approval. (4) The Zoning and Planning Committee may provide an informational meeting for the public prior to preliminary approval. Page 83 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 51 (5) Preliminary condominium plats shall include and show the following elements: (a) The name of the condominium, which must be unique and shall match word for word the name on the declaration, and the type of condominium; (b) The county and municipality in which the property is located provided on each sheet of the plat; (c) Consecutively numbered sheets including the relation of that sheet number to the total number of pages; (d) Adjacent water bodies, section corners, public and private roads; (e) The boundary of the parcel to be dedicated as common areas for the condominium, including any expansion areas for expandable condominiums; (f) The location of all existing and proposed structures within the condominium; (g) The area of the total parcel in square feet. For expandable condominiums the area of each individual expansion area as well as the total must be shown; (h) Location and area calculation of all wetlands in square feet. For expandable condominiums the area of wetland in each individual expansion area as well as the total must be shown; (i) The frontage width of lake, pond, stream or watercourse frontage. For expandable condominiums the frontage width for each individual expansion area as well as the total must be shown; (j) Computations which verify compliance with the parcel size required by this Ordinance, including but not limited to lot area and buildable lot area; (k) Plans that show the location of each unit to be located on the property, including the approximate dimensions, floor area and location of each unit; (l) Location of all existing or proposed POWTS, and the location of all alternative replacement areas; (m) Existing easements which affect the condominium; (n) The minimum number of two (2) parking spaced for each unit, unless otherwise specified in Article VII or Article XII of this Ordinance; (o) The number of bedrooms per dwelling unit; (p) Existing structure expansion areas showing dimensions and square footage; (q) For expandable condominiums, the final number of units, the number of units in each individual expansion area, and the location of the units in each phase; (r) Existing and proposed water supply systems; (s) Areas of slopes greater than twenty (20) percent; (t) Impervious surface calculations; (u) Location of all limited common elements; (v) Certificate of a Registered Land Surveyor. History: Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.8(H) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6(H) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(H), amended effective 12/15/2025 (I) Condominium Final Plat Requirements and Approval: (1) Upon approval of the preliminary condominium plat by the Zoning and Planning Committee, the applicant shall submit a final condominium plat within one (1) year unless a written request for an extension is approved by the Zoning Administrator. The extension shall not be for more than 180 days. Page 84 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 52 (2) Condominium final plats are subject to the requirements of this Ordinance, the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning and Subdivision Control Ordinances, and Chapter 703 of Wisconsin Statutes. (3) The final plat shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval prior to recording condominium instruments with the Vilas County Register of Deeds. (4) The Zoning Administrator may require a final plat to be resubmitted as a revised preliminary plat if it is substantially different from the approved preliminary plat. (5) Final condominium plats shall include and show the following elements: (a) The name and type of condominium; (b) The legal description of the property; (c) A boundary survey of the condominium; (d) The location of all current and proposed structures; (e) The size and location of all limited common elements; (f) The area available in square feet; (g) The water frontage width, if applicable; (h) The size and location of all proposed and alternate POWTS areas; (i) All units consecutively numbered; (j) Adjacent roads and water bodies; (k) Existing easements which affect the condominium; (l) The required number of designated parking spaces for each unit; (m) The number of bedrooms for each dwelling unit; (n) Wetland boundaries and areas; (o) Existing POWTS and water supply systems; (p) Certificates by the Owner and Registered Land Surveyor; (q) Plans showing the location of each unit to be located in the condominium which show the approximate dimensions, floor area, and location of each unit. (r) On the first sheet of the final plat, a blank area at least 3” x 3” retained for the Register of Deeds for recording purposes. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 (J) Condominium Plat Amendments and Addendums: (1) A condominium plat addendum may be made to any recorded condominium plat pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 703 of Wisconsin Statues provided the amendment does not create any additional non-conformity with current applicable ordinances. (2) Preliminary condominium plan addendums and final condominium plat addendums must be approved by the Zoning Administrator. (3) If the condominium plat addendum amends a final condominium plat without providing substantial changes, the addendum may be submitted as a final plat and may be specific to the unit involved. (4) If the condominium plat addendum amends a preliminary condominium plat without providing substantial changes, the addendum may be submitted as a final plat of the preliminary plat and may be specific to the unit involved. (5) If the condominium plat addendum amends a final or preliminary condominium plat while providing substantial changes to the preliminary plat the addendum shall be submitted as a preliminary plat showing the entirety of the condominium. Page 85 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 53 (6) Any condominium plat addendums to a condominium plat which was recorded and has not had an addendum prior to August 1, 1978 shall be submitted as a preliminary plat which meets all the requirements for preliminary plats set forth in this Ordinance. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(J) added effective 12/15/2025 (K) Administrator Requirements: (1) The Zoning Administrator shall act upon the final plat within ten (10) working days of receiving the final plat be registered mail, certified mail, or receipted delivery to the Zoning Office. (2) The Zoning Administrator may extend the review period upon written notice to the owner of the property or his agent. (3) Failure to act upon the plat within ten (10) working days, or extension thereof, shall constitute an approval of the condominium plat approval. (4) The Zoning Administrator shall act to approve, approve conditionally, or reject the submitted plat. Any conditions or reasons for rejection shall be stated in writing. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(K) added effective 12/15/2025 (L) Town Ordinance Regulating Condominiums: Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit any town from enacting any Ordinance that would be more restrictive than the provisions contained herein provided the town Ordinance is not in conflict with any provisions hereof or any provisions in Chapter 703 of the Wisconsin Statutes and that the Ordinance is properly drawn up in compliance with Section 60.74 of Wisconsin Statues. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.6(J) renumbered Section 5.6(L) effective 12/15/2025. (M) Relationship of Structures to Unit Boundaries and Common Elements: (1) All structures within a condominium must be placed within a vacant unit space or unit boundary unless specifically permitted under law or by the condominium declaration to be placed within the common area. (2) No structure, or portion thereof, may be placed in the common element or limited common element of a condominium unless specifically permitted under law or by the condominium declaration. History: Amendment 85-134, Article V , Section 5.8 repealed and replace effective 5/17/1999 Amendment 85-146, Article V , Section 5.8 revised throughout effective 12/19/1999 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.8 renumbered to Section 5.6 effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.8(M) created effective 12/15/2025 5.7 FENCES (A) Fence Permits (1) Zoning Permit Required (a) All permanent fences six (6) feet in height or less. (b) All permanent fences up to twelve (12) feet in height and located greater than or equal to fifteen (15) feet from the property boundary line. (2) Conditional Use Permit Required (a) All permanent fences over six (6) feet in height and located less than fifteen (15) feet from the property boundary line. (b) All permanent fences greater than twelve (12) feet in height. Page 86 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 54 (3) Exception No permit will be required for a farm fence. A farm fence may be constructed of woven or barbed wire, according to Wisconsin Statutes. Garden fences, in order to restrict animals, have no height limitation. History: Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.12(A) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.7(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Fence Provisions: (1) A solid or privacy fence can be a maximum of six (6) inches off the ground for sites with uneven landscape. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Section 5.7(A)(4) renumbered Section 5.7(B) effective 12/15/2025 (C) Fence Measurements Fence height and setback measures shall be as follows: (1) Fence Height Measurements (a) Fence height shall be measured from the ground surface to the top of fence along length of fence for level ground. (b) For sloping sites or uneven ground please contact the Zoning Office and Zoning staff will review documentation, fence location, and provide a basis on how to measure for a height determination. (2) Setback Measurements (a) Shoreline setback shall be measured from the closes point of the Ordinary High- water Mark (OHWM) landward to the location of the fence. (i) No fences are permitted between 0 and 75 feet from the shoreline, unless exempted by Section 5.7(A)(3) above or Wis. Stat. §59.692(1n)(d)7. (b) Side yard setbacks shall be measured from the property boundary line. (i) Fences six (6) feet or less in height may be located on the property line. It is important to erect fences so they are maintained without trespass. (c) For lots abutting roads, setbacks shall be measured and established according to local, county, or state regulations. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.12(B) amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.12(B) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.7(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.7(B) renumbered to Section 5.7(C) effective 12/15/2025 (D) Temporary Fences Temporary fences are allowed without obtaining a zoning permit provided they comply with the requirements of Section 5.7(A)(3) and Section 5.7(C)(2) and meet all requirements of permanent fences. All other temporary fences require a zoning permit as a minimum requirement and may require a conditional use permit if the use of the temporary fence is detrimental to or endangers the public health, safety, comfort or general welfare. (1) Temporary Fence Height (a) Temporary fences are limited to a maximum of six (6) feet in height. (2) Removal of Temporary Fences (a) Temporary fences shall be removed on an annual basis and shall remain removed compatible with the purpose of the fence. Page 87 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 55 (3) Determination of Permanent Use vs. Temporary Use (a) In cases where the use of a fence has appeared to change from a temporary use to a permanent use, the Zoning Administrator has the responsibility and authority to determine whether the use is temporary or permanent and can: (i) Require removal of the fence; and/or (ii) Require the owner of the property to properly permit the fence provided the fence can meet all requirements to be permitted. (iii) When determining whether a fence is permanent or temporary, the Zoning Administrator and/or his assistants or deputies shall document the fence, location, and circumstances surrounding the fence and provide a basis as to how the determination was made. Note: This is to allow discretion out of the ordinary. History: Amendment 85-113, Section 5.12 created effective 1/20/1998 Amendment 85-267, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.12 renumbered to Section 5.7 effective 6/1/2021 5.8 FOREST MANAGEMENT AND TREE REMOV AL (A) The use best management practices (BMPs) as set forth in “Wisconsin’s Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality” shall be the minimum standards in forest management in Vilas County. (B) Forest management conducted as part of Wisconsin managed forest tax programs including Forest Crop Law, Woodlands Tax Law, and Managed Forest Law shall meet the standards set forth in the rules and regulations for those programs. (C) Notice of harvesting must be provided to the County Clerk as required by Wis. Stats. §26.03. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.13 created effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.13 renumbered to Section 5.8 effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.8(A)-(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 5.9 GARAGES (A) No habitation is permitted. A change of use permit and conformance with Zoning District requirements are required to convert a garage to a habitable structure. (B) Height Requirements for Garages: (1) Detached garages: 25 feet mean height. (2) Attached to habitable structure: 35 feet mean height. (C) Setbacks: (1) Setbacks shall be in accordance with Article IV of this Ordinance. (2) 15 feet from side and rear lot lines, garage attached to habitable structure. (3) 75 feet from Ordinary High Watermark. (4) Road & highway setbacks per Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Article V , Section 5.9(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 88 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 56 (D) Garages on lots with no principal structure: One garage or accessory storage building is permitted on a lot prior to the erection of a principal structure subject to the following restrictions: (1) No private onsite waste treatment system (septic system) may be connected to the building. (2) There shall be no patio doors, garage and service doors only. (3) No decks, dormers, patios or porches are permitted. (4) Recreational vehicles are not considered principal structures for the purpose of this section. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.9 created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.9(D) amended effective 12/15/2025 5.10 GUN CLUBS AND SHOOTING RANGES (A) Conditional Use Permit Required: All gun clubs and shooting ranges are conditional uses, the applicant will be required to provide a site and operation plan with setbacks and a narrative considering the following: (1) Potential hazards to adjacent uses. (2) Topography and ground cover. (3) Noise. (4) Parking. (5) Hours of operation. (6) Location to residences and other structures. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.10(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Location: The firing of rifles, shotguns, or dangerous weapons within a gun club or shooting range shall not be permitted directly towards or over navigable waters, public or private roads or drives, towards any building or structure nor directly towards any population concentration located within one and a half miles. There shall be: (1) An adequate shortfall or bullet/impact of rifled arms and all dangerous weapons area. (2) A defined firing line or firing direction. (3) Adequate target backstops for firing of rifled arms and all dangerous weapons. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.10(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 (C) Posting: Shooting ranges shall be clearly identified by sings not less than four square feet in gross area at intervals of not less than 25 yards around the perimeter and shall be maintained in a legible condition. (D) Indoor gun clubs and shooting ranges: Indoor gun clubs and shooting ranges shall meet the requirements for indoor recreation and all State and Federal requirements. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.10(D) created effective 6/1/2021 (E) All structures require a zoning permit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.10(E) created effective 6/1/2021 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.7 renumbered to Section 5.10 effective 6/1/2021 Page 89 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 57 5.11 HOTELS AND MOTELS (A) Lot size for hotels and motels shall have a minimum of 60,000 square feet. History: Amendment 85-209, Article V , Section 5.9(A) amended effective 8/30/2006 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.11(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Hotels and motels shall include the base minimum requirements for each hotel and/or motel structure. Sizing of a hotel/motel is based on two (2) percent of the base minimum for each bedroom created. A single hotel/motel room shall be considered a single bedroom. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.11(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 (C) The square foot base area of a single-story structure and parking area shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the required minimum lot area. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.9 renumbered to 5.11 effective 6/1/2021 5.12 JUNK AND SALV AGE YARDS (A) Conditional Use Permit Required: All junk and salvage yards are Conditional Uses and require a Conditional Use Permit. (B) Setbacks: Junk and salvage materials shall not be located within: (1) 60 feet from a public road, street or highway right-of-way; (2) 20 feet from an easement road; (3) 100 feet from a side or rear property line; (4) 300 feet from a lake, pond, stream or any watercourse. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.12(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 (C) General Provisions: (1) All junk and salvage yards shall be enclosed by a berm with a fence, thick vegetated screen or screening from a tall solid fence. (2) Materials shall not be visible from other properties in the vicinity of the site and also not visible from a public right-of-way such as roads, streets, highways and waterways. (3) A fence and/or vegetated screen shall be maintained. Screening can be made of natural plants or constructed of wood or plastic, or any other recognized blocking/fencing materials that form a solid barrier. (4) Junkyards and recycling centers shall have a minimum fence height of ten (10) feet and a maximum of twenty (20) feet and will not require a separate conditional use permit. (5) Junk and/or salvage materials shall not be piled higher than fence height. History: Amendment 85-119, Article V , Section 5.4(C) amended effective 4/2/1998 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.12(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 (D) Firebreak: (1) An unobstructed firebreak shall be maintained twenty (20) feet in width surrounding any junk or salvage yard. (2) For purposes of enforcement, a firebreak shall be an area void of vegetation over twelve (12) inches in height or any manufactured combustible materials. Page 90 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 58 (E) Zoning Permits are required for all structures and fences History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.12(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.4 renumbered Section 5.12 effective 6/1/2021 5.13 LAND SPREADING OF PETROLEUM CONTAMINATED SOILS PROHIBITED (A) No person shall deposit on lands located in Vilas County any soil contaminated by petroleum products. These restrictions do not apply to: (1) The temporary stockpiling of petroleum contaminated soil prior to approved remediation or disposal; (2) The stockpiling of petroleum contaminated soil at the site where the contamination occurred, for purposes of Wisconsin DNR approved bio-remediation. (3) Landfills and asphalt hot-mix plants properly licensed for the disposal or remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils. (B) Any person violating this section shall cease such activity and shall remove and soil placed in violation of this ordinance. (C) Any person violating this section shall also be subject to a forfeiture of no less than $1,000 plus costs. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.11 renumbered Section 5.13 effective 6/1/2021 5.14 MANUFACTURED AND MOBILE HOMES (A) Individual manufactured homes and mobile homes are permitted in all residential classifications of the Vilas County Zoning Ordinance subject to the requirements of those classifications, and subject to the following minimum requirements: (1) All manufactured homes must be constructed with a pitched roof; (2) The structure shall be anchored per manufacturer recommended requirements; (3) Subject to the requirements set forth in the provisions of Wisconsin Administrative Code, 42 U.S.C. 5401-5426 and the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000; (4) The space between the ground and first level occupied or used for living purposes shall be enclosed with properly treated all-weather materials compatible in design and appearance with the exterior of the structure. (5) Placement Requirements: (a) Manufactured homes to which a garage, carport, or enclosed space has been attached shall be permanently attached to footings on foundations which meet the requirements of: (i) If the manufactured home was built prior to April 1, 2007 then installation standards are governed by provisions of SPS 321.40. (ii) If the home was built on or after April 1, 2007 then the federal model installation standard as adopted by Wisconsin applies. (iii) Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 321. Such homes shall be permanently attached to their footings or foundations pursuant to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Page 91 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 59 (b) Mobile homes and manufactured homes wo which a carport, garage, or other enclosed space has not been attached shall be set in place at the site in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, if available, otherwise pursuant to accepted industry standards. (6) All manufactured homes shall have as exterior siding any material that is non- corrosive. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.14(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Requirements for Manufactured Home Parks, Mobile Home Parks and Manufactures Home Communities: (1) Minimum lot area: Minimum lot area shall be five (5) acres. (2) Density: (a) Sewered lot: 6 manufactured homes/mobile homes per acre. (b) Unsewered lot: 4 manufactured homes/mobile homes per acre. (3) Minimum lot width: 300 feet road and/or water frontage. (4) Access: (a) A minimum of two (2) vehicular access points from public roads, streets or highways are required. (b) Individual sites may not have direct access to public roads. (5) Buffer zone: (a) The outer boundaries shall contain a twenty (20) foot buffer zone consisting of a greenbelt with trees and shrubs. (b) No manufactured home or mobile home shall be placed within twenty (20) feet of the park boundary line. (c) No POWTS shall be located in the buffer zone. (d) No structures shall be located in the buffer zone. (6) Site numbering: All sites shall be numbered and corners marked so setbacks can meet site plan requirements and compliance with SPS 326.12, SPS 381 to 387 and Vilas County Ordinances. (7) Setbacks: (a) No mobile or manufactured home site shall be within twenty (20) feet of the outer boundary of the park. (b) Mobile or manufactured homes and any attached structures may not be located within fifteen (15) feet of any site boundary line. (c) Accessory structures may not be located within five (5) feet of any site boundary line. (8) Road setback: No site shall be within the public road setback as set forth in Article III, Section 3.2(F) of this Ordinance. Page 92 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 60 (9) Ordinary high watermark setback to a navigable body of water: No site shall be located within 75 feet of the ordinary high water mark of a body of water (10) Building height limits: (a) A principal building may not exceed 35 feet mean height. (b) Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet mean height, garages as specified in Article V , Section 5.9(B). (11) Occupied site area: No more than forty (40) percent of the site area may be occupied by structures and parking areas. (12) Recreation areas: (a) In all parks there shall be one or more recreation areas, easily accessible to all park residents and maintained by the park owner. (b) Recreation areas shall not be less than eight (8) percent of the gross site area. (13) Sale of sites prohibited: Individual home sites shall not be sold or transferred. (14) Home sales: Commercial sale of mobile or manufactured homes within a park is prohibited unless the home is on an individual site. (15) Other structures: The park management may construct a structure for: (a) Storage of service equipment. (b) Park office. (c) Other purposes accessory to the operation of the park. (d) A clubhouse as set forth in Section 5.3 of this Ordinance. (e) Recreational structures whose use is limited to park tenants. (16) Drainage: (a) All parks shall be located on a well-drained area, not subject to intermittent flooding. (b) The premises shall be graded to prevent accumulation of drainage or storm water in areas which may create hazards to the health and safety of park occupants. (c) No site or park improvement shall be located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). (d) Exposed ground surfaces in a parking area shall be paved or covered with stone screening, other solid materials, or protected with vegetative growth capable of preventing soil erosion and eliminating objectionable dust. (17) Parking: Every home site shall be provided with two (2) off-street parking spaces. (18) Utilities: Control instrumentation and substations shall be screened. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.1(B) amended effective 5/11/2005 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.14 (B) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 93 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 61 (C) Responsibilities of Park Management: (1) The person to whom a permit for a park is issued shall operate the park in compliance with this Ordinance, the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance, Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapters SPS 381-387 and SPS 326, shall provide adequate supervision and shall maintain the park and its facility in a clean and sanitary condition. (2) The park management shall notify the park occupants of all provisions of this Ordinance. A copy of Article V , Section 5.14 of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance and Chapter SPS 362 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code shall be available for inspection by park residents in the park office. (3) The park management shall be responsible for the securing of any tie-down anchors for each home. (4) The park management shall be responsible for maintaining all private roads and drives within the park in a safe and dust-free condition. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.14(C) added effective 6/1/2021 (D) Zoning Permits and Plan Drawings: (1) A zoning permit shall be required for the creation or expansion of a manufactured home park unless a Conditional Use Permit is required under Article IV of this Ordinance. (2) All structures places or erected within a manufactured home park shall require a separate zoning permit. (3) If a permit if requested for a new manufactured home park, or the expansion of an existing manufactured home park, a plan drawing of the entire proposed and existing park shall be submitted with the application showing all sites with the site numbers and borders, roads, structures, buffer zones, water sources, sanitation facilities, drainage, and other necessary improvements or planned amenities. Such plan shall be forwarded on to County and local municipal services in order to facilitate emergency response. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.14(D) created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.14(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) POWTS may not be individually owned by park occupants and must be owned and operated by park management. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.14(E) created effective 6/1/2021 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.1 renumbered Section 5.14 effective 6/1/2021 5.15 METALLIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL EXTRACTION (A) Metallic Mineral Extraction: All exploration, prospecting, and mining activities and any other activities related to metallic mineral extraction are subject to the requirements specified in this Ordinance and in the Vilas County Metallic and Non-Metallic Mining Ordinances. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.15(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 94 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 62 (B) Non-Metallic Mineral Extraction (1) Conditional Use Permit Required: All non-metallic mineral exploration, extraction and processing operations including, but not limited to, exploration drilling, blasting, excavating, and other types of removal of mineral resources, and washing crushing and processing of mineral resources, the erection of buildings and the installation of necessary machinery used in said extraction or processing, and the preparation of hot blacktop mix and ready- mix concrete are conditional uses and require Conditional Use Permits unless subject to paragraph nine (9) or ten (10) below. (2) District requirements: All activities as set forth in paragraph one (1) above shall conform to the permitted or conditional uses for the applicable Zoning District as set forth in Article IV of this Ordinance. (3) Lot size requirement: The minimum lot size for all non-metallic mines shall be five (5) acres. (4) Plan: An application for a Conditional Use Permit for non-metallic mineral extraction shall be submitted by the owner or their agent and shall include the following: (a) An adequate description of the operation; (b) A plan of the site showing the proposed and existing roads; (c) A plan showing the sources, quantity and disposition of water to be used; (d) Estimated dates for commencement and completion of the extraction; (e) Estimated commencement and completion dates for the reclamation; (f) Any other information as may be necessary to determine the nature of the operation and the effect to the surrounding area. (5) Reclamation plan: A reclamation plan shall be submitted which is in accordance with all applicable requirements of: (a) Vilas County Non-Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance; (b) Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 135; (c) Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 340; (d) Chapter 30 of Wisconsin Statutes; (e) Financial assurance shall be submitted to the Vilas County Zoning and Planning Department. (6) Financial assurance: Financial assurance shall be provided in accordance with all applicable requirements of: (a) Vilas County Non-Metallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance; (b) Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 135; (c) Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 340; (d) Chapter 30 of Wisconsin Statues; (e) Financial assurance shall be submitted to the Vilas County Zoning & Planning Department. Page 95 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 63 (7) Length of operation: An application for a Conditional Use Permit for a non-metallic mineral extraction operation or for a hot mix blacktop mix plant or ready-mixed concrete plant, shall be for a period of time stated in the application or as modified by the Zoning Committee. Modification of the application or reclamation plan may be permitted or additional conditions may be required upon application. (8) Non-conforming uses: All existing non-metallic mineral extraction operations shall be considered non- conforming uses and may be continued providing that they have been worked prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance and they have been registered with the Vilas County Zoning office within one (1) year of the date of the adoption of the Non- Metallic Mining Ordinance. (9) Exceptions for agricultural practices: Conditional Use Permits are not required for land leveling activities or conservation practices on agricultural land and where fill material or aggregate is removed from the property as an incidental activity. (10) Portable mixing plants: Portable cement batch or mixing plants, or portable hot mix blacktop plants used in connection with a highway improvement or construction project does not require a Conditional Use Permit. Material produced by such a plant shall be used only for the designated project, and sale or use of material for any other location will require a separate Conditional Use Permit. (11) Buffer strips: The outer boundaries of all non-metallic mineral extraction sites shall include a fifty (50) foot buffer zone consisting of a landscaped greenbelt of coniferous trees. Where mature existing vegetation presently screening the site exists, the non-coniferous species do not need to be removed, but any new planting shall be coniferous species. History: Amendment 85-139, Article V , Section 5.6 created effective 6/16/1999 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.6 renumbered to Section 5.15 effective 6/1/2021 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.15(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 5.16 PONDS (ARTIFICIALLY CREATED) (A) A zoning permit shall be required for ponds in the following cases: (1) Any pond greater than 1,600 square feet shall require a zoning permit and shall comply with setbacks for structures as required in this Ordinance. (2) For any pond which, through the process of digging, excavating, or scraping, creates spoils which are stockpiled on-site or removed from the property and affect more than one (1) acre of area shall require a nonmetallic mining permit and must comply with all mining regulations within this Ordinance, the Vilas County Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance, and Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 135. (3) For any pond constructed within a shoreland area a Shoreland Alteration Permit and Erosion Control Plan shall be required. Page 96 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 64 (B) Construction of ponds: (1) All spoil material removed from the pond shall be thin spread, less than twelve (12) inches in thickness, on upland portions of the parcel. (2) All disturbed areas associated with pond construction shall be stabilized. (3) Sites within the jurisdiction of shoreland/wetland and/or floodplain zoning regulations shall have to comply with said regulations. (C) Pond construction proposal: All ponds which require a zoning permit shall submit a plan and description. Plans and descriptions shall include: (1) Size of pond; (2) Location on site; (3) Setbacks; (4) Other existing or planned water features on the site; (5) Spoil spreading locations; (6) Disturbed land reclamation; (7) Property description; (8) Site stability; (9) Erosion control and stormwater plans, if needed; and (10) Construction timing. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.16 created effective 6/1/2021 5.17 PRIV ATE EASEMENT ROADS The structure setback from a private driveway easement or private road used for ingress and egress to a structure or tax parcel shall be as follows: (A) No structure shall be placed within a recorded easement area or within fifteen (15) feet from the edge of the roadway (traveled or existing). (B) This setback may be reduced with written consent of all property owners to which the easement rights are granted. Such written consent shall be forwarded to the Vilas County Zoning and Planning Department and kept on file. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.17 created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Article 85-283, Article V , Section 5.17 amended effective 12/15/2025 5.18 PRIVIES (A) Privies shall have an enclosed structure which meets the following requirements: (1) Minimum height: 6 feet. (2) Minimum width: 4 feet. (3) Must have a floor, a roof and four (4) walls, one of the walls with a door. (4) Be provided with a suitable approach such as concrete, gravel or cinder walk. (5) Meet all requirements under Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 391.12 and Chapter 15, Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.18(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 97 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 65 (B) Privies shall meet the following setback requirements: (1) Well setback: 50 feet (2) Dwelling: 25 feet (3) Lot line: 25 feet (4) A slope twenty (20) percent or greater: 20 feet (5) Ordinary High-water Mark of a water body: 75 feet (6) Another property owner’s residence or dwelling: 250 feet History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.18(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) A Vilas County Sanitary Permit is required in accordance with Chapter 15, Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Section 15.22. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.18(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) A Vilas County zoning permit is required to build a privy structure. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.18 created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.18(D) amended effective 12/15/2025 5.19 RELAXATION OF STANDARDS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (A) The Zoning Administrator or their designee may issue a permit to relax dimensional standards or this Ordinance in order to provide a reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities as required by provisions of Federal and State law. Such a relaxation shall be the minimum necessary to be consistent with Federal guidelines for accommodation of persons with disabilities and where practicable, be terminated when no longer used by the disabled person, or the person vacates the property or the structure ceases to be a public accommodation. A person applying for a permit for construction under this section shall establish: (1) Prove the facility or premises are routinely used by a disabled person; (2) Communicate the nature and extent of the disability; and (3) Relaxation of the request is the minimum necessary to provide reasonable use of the facility by a disabled person. (4) An affidavit for the reasonable accommodation shall be filed with the Register of Deeds. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.19(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) If the Zoning Administrator or their designee denies a permit requesting an accommodation under this subsection, the denial may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment pursuant to Article X. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.19 created effective 6/1/2021 Page 98 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 66 5.20 STORAGE RENTAL UNITS Storage rental units shall meet the following requirements: (A) Indoor storage space (structures): (1) The side and rear lot line boundaries shall contain a fifteen (15) foot buffer zone consisting of a greenbelt with coniferous trees and shrubs. (2) All storage rental unit structures shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from any lot boundary. (3) All storage rental unit structures shall be located at least twenty (20) feet from all other structures. (4) Maximum impervious surface fifty (50) percent on non-shoreland lots. (a) Exemption to impervious surface limits requires submission of a stormwater mitigation management plan. Impervious surface requirements, see Article III, Section 3.2(E). (5) No storage rental unit shall exceed a twenty-five (25) foot mean height. (6) No habitation allowed. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.20(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Outdoor storage space: (1) A six (6) foot security fence minimum height, surrounding outdoor storage area. (2) The side and rear lot line boundaries shall contain a fifteen (15) foot buffer zone consisting of a greenbelt with coniferous trees and shrubs. (3) Maximum impervious surface fifty (50) percent on non-shoreland lots. See Article III, Section 3.2(E). (4) Twenty (20) feet height stacking restriction. (5) Outdoor storage is limited to licensed operable vehicles. (6) Outdoor storage spaces/units cannot be sold. (7) Outdoor storage shall be kept neat, clean and in an orderly manner. (8) No habitation allowed. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.20(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) No other activity other than storage rental is to take place, without meeting Vilas County Ordinances. (D) The minimum lot size for multiple storage rental unit types or structures shall be three (3) acres. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.20 created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.20(D) added effective 12/15/2025 5.21 TOXIC WASTE DISPOSAL Toxic and/or hazardous wastes such as: Pesticides, acids, caustics, and pathological radioactive, flammable, explosive or similar harmful chemical wastes requiring special handling and disposal shall not be permitted to be transported into Vilas County from other counties in Wisconsin or from other states for disposal or storage. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.5 created effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.5 renumbered Section 5.21 effective 6/1/2021 Amendment 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.21 amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 99 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 67 5.22 SIGNS AND LIGHTING (A) Signs may be regulated by the State of Wisconsin or the local town board. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.22 amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Towns may regulate lighting within their boundaries. History: Amendment 85-199, Article V , Section 5.22 created 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.22(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 5.23 TREEHOUSES (A) Prohibited if tree is on protected list (This restriction if also called a Tree Preservation Order). (B) Maximum mean height: 20 feet measured from grade. (C) Maximum size: 256 square feet. (D) Setback from lot line: 20 feet. (E) Permanent electrical or water connections are prohibited, without a change of use permit. Installation of these connections will cause a structure to become a principal structure and all requirements of the district in which it is located will become effective. (F) Setback from OHWM: 75 feet. (G) Road setback shall be in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2(E) of this Ordinance. (H) Structures less than 64 square feet do not require a zoning permit. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.23 created effective 6/1/2021 5.24 WAREHOUSES (A) Warehouse Classifications: (1) Class I – Less than 10,000 square feet of floor space. (2) Class II – 10,000 square feet or over, but less than 50,000 square feet of floor space. (3) Class III – 50,000 square feet or over, but less than 100,000 square feet of floor space. (4) Class IV – 100,000 square feet or over, but less than 150,000 square feet of floor space. (5) Class V – 150,000 square feet or over of floor space. (B) Setbacks: (1) Class I – Fifteen (15) foot setback from side and rear lot lines. (2) Class II – Twenty (20) foot setback from side and rear lot lines. (3) Class III – Twenty-five (25) foot setback from side and rear lot lines. (4) Class IV – Thirty (30) foot setback from side and rear lot lines. (5) Class V – Fifty (50) foot setback from side and rear lot lines. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.24(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 100 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 68 (C) Warehouses are not permitted in Single Family Residential, Residential/Lodging, Multiple Family Residential, Residential/Recreation, Wooded Residential and Rural Residential/Light Mixed Use Districts. They are permitted in other zoning districts with a Conditional Use Permit, except Industrial District where they are a permitted use. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.24(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 (D) Height Requirements: (1) If a warehouse is a principal structure the maximum height shall be thirty-five (35) feet. (2) In all other instances, the maximum height shall be twenty-five (25) feet. (E) The operator shall obtain a warehouse keepers license as set forth in Wisconsin State Statues. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.24(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.10 renumbered Section 5.24 effective 6/1/2021 5.25 WETLANDS (A) The setback for all structures from a wetland shall be ten (10) feet. (1) Exemptions: (a) Driveway or paths which are perpendicular to the wetland edge for which necessary crossing or fill permits have been issued by the Department of Natural Resources. (b) Boardwalks or piers used to cross the wetland area as permitted by the Department of Natural Resources. (c) Any other structures permitted or exempted by Statute, Wisconsin Administrative Code, or Vilas County Ordinances. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.25(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Wetlands shall have all uses as set forth in Article X of the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.25(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) No lot or parcel shall be created which does not meet the following requirements: (1) Lots or parcels 1.5 acres or larger in size shall have fifty (50) percent of the minimum lot area located outside of a wetland as depicted on the most precise Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources mapping or a wetland delineation completed by a qualified professional wetland delineator. (2) Lots or parcels less than 1.5 acres in size shall have ninety (90) percent of the minimum lot area located outside of a wetland as depicted on the most precise Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources mapping or a wetland delineation completed by a qualified professional wetland delineator. (3) The requirements set forth in this subsection may be waived by the Vilas County Zoning and Planning Committee. History: Amendment 85-267, Article V , Section 5.25 created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.25(C) effective 12/15/2025 Page 101 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 69 5.26 COTTAGE PARK (A) Plans and permits: (1) A plan drawing of the proposed park must be submitted to the Vilas County Zoning Office with an application showing the lot, sites, roads, location of water sources, proposed POWTS locations, and other park improvements. (2) Zoning permits are required for all individual structures within cottage parks. (B) Minimum lot area: The minimum lot area for a cottage park shall be five (5) acres. (C) Density: (1) The maximum density of sites within a cottage park served by municipal sewer shall be six (6) sites per acre. (2) The maximum density of sites within a cottage park served by POWTS shall be four (4) sites per acre. (3) No site shall include more than one habitable structure. (D) Minimum width: (1) The minimum road and water frontage widths for each cottage park shall be 300 feet. (2) An additional 75 feet of water frontage with is required for each acre above five (5). (E) Buffer zone: (1) The outer boundary shall contain a thirty (30) foot buffer zone consisting of a greenbelt with mature trees and shrubs. (2) No POWTS shall be located within the buffer zone. (3) No structures shall be located within the buffer zone. (F) Setbacks: (1) Each site shall be set back thirty (30) feet from the outer boundary or the cottage park. (2) The principal and all attached structures shall be set back at least fifteen (15) feet from the site boundary. (3) Accessory structures shall be set back at least five (5) feet from the site boundary. (G) Building height limitations: All structures located within cottage park sites shall be limited to fifteen (15) feet mean height. (H) Building size and number limitations: (1) No site shall contain more than one (1) principal structure. (2) The cumulative footprint of all accessory structures within a site shall not exceed the size of the principal structure. (3) The total area of each site covered by structures and driveways shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the site area. (4) No principal structure shall exceed 960 square feet in size. Page 102 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 70 (I) Other structures: Park management may construct a structure for: (1) Storage of maintenance and service equipment; (2) A park office; (3) Other purposes accessory to the operation of the park; (4) A clubhouse as set forth in Section 5.3 of this Ordinance; (5) Recreational structures whose use is limited to park tenants. (J) Land division or condominium creation: Division of a parcel permitted as a cottage park, or conversion of a parcel permitted as a cottage park to a condominium form of ownership, shall meet the density requirements as set forth in Article IV of this Ordinance, the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, and the Vilas County Subdivision Control Ordinance for new structures, and the standards set forth for resort conversion condominiums shall not be applicable to cottage parks. (K) Parking: Each site shall be provided with two (2) off-street parking spaces. (L) Private onsite wastewater treatment systems (POWTS): (1) POWTS may not be individually owned by park occupants and must be owned and operated by park management. (2) POWTS must be installed in the designated locations as shown on the cottage park plan. (M) Prohibitions: (1) Commercial uses and home occupations shall be prohibited in cottage parks. (2) No structure in a cottage park shall be used for transient lodging or as a tourist rooming house. (3) Individual sites shall not be sold or transferred. (4) Manufactured or mobile homes shall be prohibited in cottage parks. (5) Multi-family dwellings are prohibited in cottage parks. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.26 created effective 12/15/2025 5.27 RETAINING WALLS (A) Retaining walls shall be considered accessory structures and shall meet the necessary setbacks. (B) Erection, enlargement, or replacement of a retaining wall shall require the issuance of a zoning permit. (C) Retaining walls which exceed eight (8) feet in height shall be designed by a Wisconsin licensed professional engineer. (D) No new retaining walls are permitted within seventy-five (75) feet of the OWHM. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article V , Section 5.27 created effective 12/15/2025 Page 103 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 71 ARTICLE VI: PUBLIC HEALTH ORDINANCE (REMOVED) Responsibilities placed in Vilas County Public Health Department Human Health Hazard Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-199, Article VI removed effective 5/11/2005 Page 104 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 72 This page intentionally left blank. Page 105 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 73 ARTICLE VII: OFF-STREET PARKING AND DRIVEWAYS Introduction and Explanation: Article VII contains the minimum requirements for off-street parking and driveways. 7.1 GENERAL RULES (A) Off-street parking spaces for single-family residences or second spaces for dwelling units in multi-family residential buildings may be provided in tandem or parallel. A parking space occupying a portion of driveway shall be at least twenty (20) feet by ten (10) feet. (B) Whenever a lot used for business or industrial purposes abuts upon a public or private alley, street, road or highway, sufficient loading space shall be provided on the lot or adjacent thereto in connection with any business or industrial use so the alley, street, road or highway shall at all times be free and unobstructed to the passage of traffic. (C) One (1) off-street parking space in a lot shall be two hundred (200) square feet of area, exclusive of adequate ingress and egress driveway to connect with a public thoroughfare. The dimensions of a parking space on a lot shall be twenty (20) by ten (10) feet. A single stall in a garage may replace a single parking space. (D) No building for which off-street parking space is required may be added to, structurally altered or converted in use so as to encroach upon or reduce the parking space below the required minimum. (E) No parking spaces required under this Ordinance may be used for another purpose with the exception of an occasional yard sale, business sale or during town festivities, provided however, that open spaces required by this Ordinance for setback and side yards may not be used for such marking spaces or approaches thereto. There shall be no parking on corner lots within the visual clearance triangle. (F) Parking/parking lots containing five (5) or more parking spaces which are located in the Residential Districts or adjacent to residential lots shall be: (1) Screened along the side or sides of such lots which abut the lot lines of residential lots by a solid wall, fence or evergreen planting of equivalent capacity or other equally effective means built or maintained at a minimum height of four (4) feet. (2) If parking/parking lots so located are lighted, the lights shall be shielded as to prevent undesirable glare or illumination of adjoining residential property. (G) Parking of a recreational vehicle shall be in accordance with Section 5.2(E) of this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VII, Section 7.1(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article VII, Section 7.1(G) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 106 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 74 7.2 REQUIRED OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES FOR SPECIFIC USES (EXCEPT IN THE DESIGNATED DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY BUSINESS DISTRICTS) (A) Single-family dwellings shall provide two (2) spaces. (B) Multiple-family dwellings shall provide two (2) off-street spaces for each family for which accommodations are provided in the building plus two (2) spaces per building. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VII, Section 7.2(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 (C) Roadside stands shall provide not less than five (5) parking spaces at the place of business off the right-of-way of the highway. (D) Establishments offering curb service to customers who remain in their vehicle, shall provide at least five (5) off-street parking spaces for each person employed to serve such customers. (E) New retail or local business places, banks, offices and professional offices and personal service shops shall provide at least one (1) off-street parking space for each two hundred (200) square feet of ground floor area plus at least one (1) additional parking space for each five hundred (500) square feet of upper floor area. (F) Buildings combining business and residential use shall provide at least one (1) off-street parking space for each three hundred (300) square feet of area devoted to business use, plus at least two (2) parking spaces for each family for which accommodations are provided on the premises. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VII, Section 7.2(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 (G) Theaters, churches, auditoriums, lodges or fraternity halls and similar places of public assemblage shall provide at least one (1) parking space for each seven (7) seats. (H) Hotels, motels, lodging houses and dormitories shall provide at least one (1) parking space for each guestroom. (I) Restaurants, taverns, and similar places for eating and for refreshments, except curb service establishments, shall provide at least one (1) parking space for each fifty (50) square feet of floor space devoted to the use of the patrons. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article VIII, Section 7.2(I) amended effective 12/15/2025 (J) Funeral homes and mortuaries shall provide at least one(1) parking space for each fifty (50) square feet of space devoted to parlors. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article VII, Section 7.2(J) amended effective 12/15/2025 (K) Bowling alleys shall provide at least five (5) parking spaces for each alley. (L) Service stations shall provide parking for all vehicles used directly in the conduct of the business, plus two (2) spaces for each gas pump, plus three (3) spaces for each service bay. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VII, Section 7.2(L) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 107 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 75 (M) Industrial uses shall provide at least one (1) parking space for each employee on the premises at any one time, plus at least one (1) additional space for each vehicle operated in connection with such use for which parking on the premises is required. (N) Any use not specifically named shall be assigned to the most appropriate classification by the Zoning Administrator. 7.3 DRIVEWAYS AND PRIV ATE EASEMENT ROADS (A) No driveways or private roads will be permitted to be constructed within five (5) feet of an adjoining property owner’s lot line unless: (1) The adjoining property owner(s) affected by such road give written consent to the effect they do not object to construction of a driveway or private road being closer than five (5) feet from the lot line. (2) A copy of the letter shall be forwarded to the Vilas County Zoning Office to be kept on file. (3) A driveway may be allowed to straddle lot lines on a new subdivision provided an easement and a maintenance agreement for the driveway straddling lot lines be filed with the subdivision and recorded with the Register of Deeds. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VII, Section 7.3 amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 108 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 76 This page intentionally left blank. Page 109 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 77 ARTICLE VIII: NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND LOTS Introduction and Explanation: Article VIII contains rules pertaining to uses, structures and lots which existed before the effective date of this Ordinance which may not be in full compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance. The practice of accepting nonconforming uses, dwellings, nonconforming trade and industry and nonconforming lots is commonly referred to as “grandfathering” or accepting under a “grandfather clause.” Nonconforming uses, dwellings, trade and industry existing at the time of the adoption of this Ordinance are permitted to continue. Nonconforming lots existing at the time of the adoption of this Ordinance may generally be constructed upon, providing minimum requirements are met. 8.1 GENERAL LIMITATIONS ON NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES OR USE When any structure, or the use of any structure or premise, has become nonconforming as defined in Article XI of this Ordnance, such nonconformity may continue subject to the following limitations: (A) A nonconforming use shall not be changed to another nonconforming use. There shall be no structural alterations, additions or major repairs made to a nonconforming structure until a zoning permit has been issued. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VIII, Section 8.1(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Structures which existed before the effective date of this Ordinance which may not be in full compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance may be reconstructed or repaired to the size, footprint, location and use it had immediately prior to repair or reconstruction. Any additions shall conform to current ordinance language. In addition, the septic system servicing the structure or use will be brought up to code in compliance with Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance Chapter 15, Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 383 and a county zoning permit has been issued. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VIII, Section 8.1(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 (C) A nonconforming structure and or existing use may be expanded, provided the expansion does not encroach into any required side or rear yard setback(s) beyond any existing encroachment and it meets all other current zoning requirements. In addition, the septic system serving the structure or use will be brought up to code in compliance with Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 383 and a county zoning permit has been issued. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VIII, Section 8.1(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 (D) Where an expansion of a nonconforming structure is proposed which will encroach into a minimum setback not covered by Section 8.1(C) above, the granting of a variance by the Board of Adjustment and the issuance of a county zoning permit shall be required. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VIII, Section 8.1(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) If a structure or use nonconforming to this Ordinance is discontinued for twelve (12) consecutive months any further use of the structure or premises shall conform to this Ordinance with the exception of those structures or properties in probate, foreclosure, or other form of litigation, or on the market. Page 110 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 78 (F) Septage effluent, waste disposal or any other use found not in compliance with County, State or Federal law shall not be permitted to continue as a nonconforming use, and upon written notice to the property owner(s) shall be corrected within thirty (30) days of receiving such notice. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VIII, Section 8.1(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 8.2 GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF NONCONFORMING LOTS Nothing in this Ordinance will prohibit the lawful use of a sub-standard sized lot for the erection of a structure that can conform to the minimum requirements of this Ordinance upon issuance of a zoning permit provided the lot meets the following requirements: (A) The lot was described and recorded with the Vilas County Register of Deeds or the Vilas County Surveyor prior to the effective date of this Ordinance; (B) The lot, when recorded, met the minimum dimensional standards in effect on that date; (C) The substandard lot or parcel was never reconfigured or combined with another lot or parcel by plat, survey, or consolidation by the owner into one property tax parcel; (D) The substandard lot or parcel has never been developed with one or more of its structures placed partly upon an adjacent lot or parcel; (E) Any deviation from setback or other standards shall require issuance of a variance by the Board of Adjustment as provided in Article X of this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-199, Article VIII, Section 8.2 amended effective 5/11/2005 Amendment 85-267, Article VIII, Section 8.2 amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article VIII, Section 8.2 amended and renumbered effective 12/15/2025 8.3 EXISTING LOTS (A) Existing lots are defined as follows: (1) All lots recorded or filed with the Vilas County Register of Deeds office prior to the enactment of this Ordinance. (2) All lots created prior to the Vilas County Subdivision Control Ordinance and on file in the Vilas County Surveyor’s Office prior to the enactment of this Ordinance. (3) All single lots and splits created where Vilas County Zoning & Planning approval was not required, but the lots meet the minimum standards set forth in the Vilas County Subdivision Control Ordinance at the date on which they were created, and the map is filed in the Vilas County Surveyor’s Office prior to the enactment of this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article VIII, Section 8.3(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Existing lots are subject to the requirements in Section 8.1. History: Amendment 85-199, Article VIII, Section 8.3 created effective 5/11/2005 Page 111 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 79 ARTICLE IX: ADMINISTRATION Introduction and Explanation: Article XI describes how the Ordinances are administered and enforced. This Article created and defines the Vilas County Zoning Administrator’s Office. The Administrator is a county officer who advises citizens and landowners of their rights and obligations under these Ordinances, who supervises Zoning Staff and Deputy Zoning Administrators in issuing permits and making inspections to determine compliance with these Ordinances. They can issue compliance orders and recommend actions to obtain compliance with the Ordinances. The Administrator acts under authority delegated by the County Board. Zoning Permits may be obtained from the Vilas County Zoning Department. The Zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator, or Deputy may issue Zoning Permits when the use is listed in the Ordinances as a permitted use and all other ordinance requirements are met. Conditional Use Permit applications must be decided upon by the Zoning Committee. Zoning Text Amendments and Re-zonings must be approved by the County Board after review and recommendation by the Zoning Committee. Variances and Appeals of Administrative Decisions must be decided upon by the Board of Adjustment under procedures described in Article X of this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Introduction and Explanation, amended effective 6/1/2021 9.1 CREATION OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE The Zoning and Planning Committee shall be created and constituted by the County Board as provided in Section 59.69 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The Zoning and Planning Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities: (A) Supervise the administration of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance and all other Ordinances administered by the Vilas County Zoning and Planning Department as approved by the County Board of Supervisors. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.1(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.1(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) To hold public hearings and decide upon the issuance of Conditional Use Permits. (C) To hold public hearings on all proposed Ordinance amendments administered by the Vilas County Zoning and Planning Department and to make recommendations on such amendments to the County Board of Supervisors. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.1(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.1(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Assume responsibility for the office of County Zoning and Planning. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.1(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.1(D) amended effective 12/15/2025 (E) To perform other such duties in connection with zoning or land use planning as may be delegated to it by the County Board of Supervisors. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.1(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.1(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 112 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 80 (F) Supervise a County Zoning Administrator and staff as may be approved by the County Board of Supervisors and prescribe their duties and activities and have full direction and supervision thereof. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.1(F) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.1(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 9.2 OFFICE OF THE ZONING AND PLANNING ADMINISTRATOR There is hereby created the office of the Zoning and Planning Administrator, hereafter referred to as Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator and all other Zoning personnel shall be approved by the rules set forth by Vilas County. The Zoning Administrator shall perform duties under guidelines and supervision of the Zoning and Planning Committee. The duties and responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator shall include: (A) Administer the provisions of the Vilas County Zoning Ordinances and assist in preparing them. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.2(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 (B) Aide in issuance of zoning permits as provided in this Ordinance. (C) Keep records of all permits issued, inspections made, work approved and other official actions. (D) Determine questions of the exact location of district boundaries. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.2(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 (E) Supervise the staff of the Zoning and Planning Department subject to guidelines set forth by the Zoning and Planning Committee. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.2(E) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.2(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Serve as staff to the Zoning and Planning Committee. In this capacity the Zoning Administrator may present staff reports on all applications for Zoning Amendments, Conditional Use Permits, and other matters requiring Zoning Committee action. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.5(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 9.3 RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF A ZONING PERMIT (A) No new building or structure having a permanent or temporary location on the ground shall hereafter be erected, and no existing building or structure shall be added to in a manner altering its exterior dimensions, moved, demolished or changed in use until a zoning permit has been issued. Exceptions to this requirement are: (1) Public telephone and electrical service equipment as sited in Section 3.2(F)(1) of this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.3(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.3(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 113 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 81 (B) Application for Zoning Permit must contain the following: (1) Property owner’s name and address; (2) Actual property address (if applicable); (3) Computer number; (4) Legal description of the parcel; (5) Size and location of the structure to be erected or moved (on or off), or relocated on, the property; (6) Proposed use of the building or premises; (7) Type of construction and any other applicable information; (8) Sanitary permit number (if applicable); (9) The permit application shall be accompanied with the appropriate fee. History: Amendment 85-141, Article IX, Section 9.3(B) amended effective 11/8/1999 Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.3(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.3(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) The Zoning Administrator or their designee may require additional information, including but not limited to: (1) A scale drawing of the premises showing the dimensions of the lot or parcel; (2) Dimensions of the proposed structure, the distance in feet from the abutting street or highway, side and rear lot line; (3) Size and location of any existing structures and any other information deemed necessary. (4) Proof of compliance with the Vilas County Private Sewage System Ordinance; (5) Proof of compliance with the Vilas County Subdivision Control Ordinance; (6) Proof of compliance with the Vilas County Shoreland Zoning Ordinance; (7) Proof of compliance with Vilas County Trunk Highway Access Control Regulations or any other Federal, State, County or Town requirements as a condition precedent to the issuance of a Zoning Permit; (8) Any additional information necessary to decide upon the issuance of a Zoning Permit including but not limited to proof of State approval for buildings of public use; (9) The Zoning Administrator or their designee shall not be responsible for determining the location of lot lines and may require the applicant to furnish a land survey of such lines. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.3(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.3(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) The application shall be signed by the owner, when submitted electronically, an electronic or scanned signature will be accepted. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.3(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 114 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 82 (E) Coincident with the issuing of a Zoning Permit the Zoning Administrator or designated employee shall prepare a card certifying a permit has been issued. This card shall bear the same number as the permit and identify the construction and premises covered by the permit. This card shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises during the construction, and no construction shall begin until this card has been posted. For purposes of this Ordinance, start of construction shall be when any earth disturbing activity takes place that will lead to the installation of footings, piers, posts, pilings or foundations. Earth disturbing activity for the purpose of soil evaluation testing shall not be considered the start of construction. (F) Any permit obtained though material misrepresentation on the permit application shall be null and void immediately upon discovery. Any corrections, anticipated changes, or other amendments to the original permit will require approval by the Zoning Administrator or designated employee prior to starting construction. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IX, Section 9.3(F) amended effective 5/11/2005 (G) A permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall expire one (1) year from the date of issuance if construction is not started within that time. Such a permit will expire if construction, once started, does not diligently proceed to completion within two (2) years of starting time. Zoning permits may be renewed one time after issuance. A new Zoning Permit must be obtained after one (1) renewal and any and all new Zoning requirements shall be met. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.3(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 (H) No Zoning Permit, Conditional use Permit, Re-zone, Subdivision, or Variance shall be issued or considered when requested if a violation of any regulation enforced by Vilas County Zoning exists on the property, unless the above listed items requested is necessary to correct the violation. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.3(H) created effective 6/1/2021 (I) Temporary Permit: A temporary permit may be issued owing to unforeseen circumstances arising, or under special conditions whereby a regular zoning permit cannot be secured and/or is not applicable, such as the following, but not limited thereto: (1) For the storage of chattel on a County highway right-of-way. (2) For any temporary structures or uses inadvertently omitted from this Ordinance. (3) For the parking of a mobile home or other form of habitation structure during the construction of a dwelling provided the temporary structure is located on the same lot where a zoning permit has been issued for the dwelling under construction and the structure’s wastewater and sewage enters the septic system that will serve the dwelling. (4) In order to accommodate individuals in emergency situations. (5) Provided the uses are allowed in the district and do not conflict with existing legal uses on or around the affected lot. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.3(I) amended and renumbered effective 6/1/2021 Page 115 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 83 9.4 RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS (A) A Conditional Use Permit request is as follows: Any person, firm, corporation, organization having a freehold interest, a possessory interest entitled to exclusive possession, or a contractual interest, which is specifically enforceable in the land for which a Conditional Use Permit is sought, may file an application to use such land for one or more of the conditional uses provided for in this Ordinance provided the use is one which is conditionally permitted by the Zoning Ordinance in the zoning district where the parcel is located. (B) Conditional Use Permit Review Process: An application for a Conditional Use Permit shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator on a form prescribed by the Zoning Administrator. The Conditional Use application shall be accompanied by plans and other information as may be prescribed by the Zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator, or the Zoning and Planning Committee. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Town Recommendation: (1) The Committee shall seek an advisory recommendation from the town board prior to the date of the public hearing of the town in which the proposed conditional use is located. (2) A written and electronic notice of application and public hearing shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the public hearing to the clerk of the town where the proposed conditional use is located. (3) For applications where the conditional use is located within the boundaries of a federally recognized Tribal reservation, a written and electronic notice of application and public hearing shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to the date or public hearing to the Tribe. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(C) created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Hearing an Application: (1) Upon receipt of the application, the Zoning Committee shall hold a public hearing on each application for Conditional Use Permit at such time and place as shall be established by the Vilas County Zoning and Planning Department. (2) The hearing shall be conducted and a record of the proceedings preserved in such a manner and according to such procedures as the Zoning and Planning Committee shall, by rule, prescribe from time to time. (a) The Chairperson, or the Chairperson’s designee, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. (3) Notice of public hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 2 notice as provided for in section 985 of the Wisconsin Statutes. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(D) renumbered and amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(D) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 116 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 84 (E) Basis of Approval: (1) If the applicant for a Conditional Use Permit meets or agrees to meet all requirements and conditions specified in this Ordinance and all other governing ordinances, statues and regulations, and those conditions imposed by the Zoning and Planning Committee, the Committee shall grant the conditional use permit. (2) Any condition imposed must be related to the purpose of the Ordinance and be based on substantial evidence. (3) The burden of proof is on an applicant that the application and all requirements and conditions established by the County relating to the conditional use are or shall be satisfied. (4) The decision of the Zoning and Planning Committee to approve or deny a Conditional Use Permit application must be supported by substantial evidence. Statutory Reference: Wis. Stat. §59.69(5e) History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(E) created effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) Standards: (1) The establishment, maintenance, or operation of the conditional use will not be detrimental or endanger the public health, safety, comfort, or general welfare. (2) The uses, values, and enjoyment of property in the neighborhood for purposes already permitted shall not be substantially impaired or diminished and it will not impede the normal development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses permitted in the district. (3) That adequate utilities, lighting, stormwater management plan, and necessary site improvements have or will be provided. (4) Measures have or will be taken to provide ingress and egress, designed to minimize traffic congestion in the public streets. (5) The conditional use shall conform to all applicable regulations of the district in which it is located. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(D) renumbered Section 9.4(F) and amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) Conditions and Guarantees: (1) Prior to the granting of a Conditional Use Permit, the Zoning Committee may stipulate such conditions and restrictions upon the establishment as to; location, construction, maintenance, and operation of the conditional use as deemed necessary to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community, to secure compliance with the standards and requirements specified in subsection 9.4(F), above. (2) In all cases in which conditional uses are granted; the committee shall require such evidence and guarantees as it may deem necessary as proof that the conditions stipulated in connection therewith are being and will be complied with. (3) Once a conditional use permit is granted, additional permit(s) including but not limited to sanitary, zoning, shoreland alteration, etc. may be required. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(E) renumbered Section 9.4(G) and amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 117 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 85 (H) Denied Conditional Use Permit: (1) Appeal from Action by Zoning Committee: A decision of the Zoning Committee may be appealed to Circuit Court by a person aggrieved by the decision of the Zoning Committee, or a taxpayer, or any officer, department, board or bureau of the municipality, may within thirty (30) days after the filing of the decision, commence an action seeking the remedy available by certiorari in accordance with Section 59.69(5e) of Wisconsin Statues. (2) Intermediate Appeal from Action by Zoning Committee: A decision of the Zoning Committee may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment by the applicant for the Conditional Use Permit or by the owners of fifty (50) percent or more of the property within 300 feet of the parcel affected. Such appeal must specify the grounds thereof in respect to the findings of the Zoning Committee and must be filed with the Board of Adjustment within thirty (30) days of the final action of the Zoning Committee. The Board of Adjustment shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal, and give public notice thereof as well as due notice to the parties in interest, and decide the same within a reasonable time. The action of the Zoning Committee shall be deemed just and equitable unless the Board of Adjustment by a favorable vote reverses or modifies the action of the Zoning Committee. Note: An Ordinance providing for an intermediate appeal is acceptable under an argument that if the applicant succeeds in the appeal it saves the time and expense of having the bring a lawsuit in a court of law. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(F) renumbered to Section 9.4(H) and amended effective 6/1/2021 (I) Effect of Denial of Application: (1) No application for a Conditional Use which has been denied wholly or in part by the Zoning and Planning Committee shall be resubmitted for a period of one (1) year from the date of said denial, except on the grounds of new evidence or proof of change of conditions found to be valid by the Zoning and Planning Committee. (2) In any case where a Conditional Use Permit, issued under this Ordinance, has not been instituted or construction begun within one (1) year of the date of approval, the conditional use permit shall be null and void without further action by the Zoning and Planning Committee. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(G) renumbered Section 9.4(I) effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(I) and amended effective 12/15/2025 (J) Revocation of a Conditional Use Permit: (1) If the Zoning and Planning Committee finds that the standards and the conditions stipulated in a Conditional Use Permit are not being complied with, or that a Conditional Use Permit was obtained though material misrepresentation, the Committee, after a public hearing, may revoke the Conditional Use Permit. (2) Appeals from the action of the Zoning and Planning Committee may be as provided above in Subsection 9.4(H). History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(H) renumbered Section 9.4(J) effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(J) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 118 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 86 (K) Ceased Conditional Uses: A Conditional Use Permit for any use which has been ceased for a period of one (1) year will be deemed to have been terminated and any future use shall be in conformity with these Ordinances. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.4(I) renumbered Section 9.4(K) effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.4(K) amended effective 12/15/2025. 9.5 RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR RECOMMENDING AMENDMENTS IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT OR ZONING MAP (A) The County Board of Supervisors may alter, supplement, or change the boundaries and regulations contained in this Ordinance in the manner provided by Section 59.69 of the Wisconsin Statutes. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.5(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Petitions for amendments of the Zoning Ordinance text or map may be made by any property owner in the area to be affected by the amendment, by the Town Board, by any member of the County Board of Supervisors, by the Zoning and Planning Committee, or the Zoning Administrator. Forms for submitting petitions are provided by the Zoning Administrator. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.5(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) Completed petition forms are filed with the County Clerk who shall immediately refer the petition to the Zoning and Planning Department. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.5(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Upon receipt of the petition the Zoning and Planning Department shall schedule a public hearing before the Zoning and Planning Committee thereon. Notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be given by publication of a Class 2 Notice as provided under Section 985 of the Wisconsin Statutes. A copy of such notice shall be mailed by certified mail to the Town Clerk for each town affected by the proposed amendment at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such hearing. In the case of a proposed change in zoning district boundaries a copy of such notice shall also be sent to the local County Board Supervisor. For applications where the proposed rezoning is located within the boundaries of a federally recognized Tribal reservation, a written and electronic notice of application and public hearing shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to the date of public hearing to the Tribe. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.5(D) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.5(D) amended effective 12/15/2025 (E) As soon as possible after the public hearing, the Zoning and Planning Committee shall act on act on the petition either recommending approval, modification, or disapproval. If its action is favorable to granting the requested change or any modification thereof, it shall cause an Ordinance to be drafted effectuating its determination and shall submit such proposed Ordinance directly to the County Board of Supervisors with its recommendation. If the Zoning and Planning Committee recommends denial of the petition it shall report its recommendations directly to the County Board of Supervisors with its reasons for such action. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.5(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 119 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 87 (F) Upon receipt of the recommendation of the Zoning and Planning Committee the County Board of Supervisors may adopt, modify, or deny the petition. Actions of the County Board of Supervisors are subject to protest or town veto as provided in Section 59.69 of the Wisconsin Statutes, with the exception of those changes relative to shorelands per Section 59.692(2)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.5(F) amended effective 12/15/2025 (G) The office of the Zoning Administrator shall submit copies of all shoreland amendments to the Department of Natural Resources for any required approval. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.5(G) amended effective 6/1/2021 9.6 ENFORCEMENT (A) Violations and Penalties: (1) Any violation of the terms of this Ordinance not corrected on the written order of the Zoning and Planning Department within the time specified shall be referred to the Zoning Administrator who shall determine the further action to be taken. (2) The violation of any condition attached by the Zoning and Planning Department to a Zoning Permit approval shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance. (3) Penalties: (a) Any person, firm, corporation or entity, including those doing work for others, who violates any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be subject to a forfeiture of $300.00 for the first violation, $500.00 for the second violation, and $1,000.00 for all subsequent violations of this Ordinance, plus cost of prosecution. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a distinct and separate violation of this Ordinance and as such, forfeitures shall apply accordingly. The Zoning and Planning Department shall refer violations to the Corporation Counsel who shall prosecute violations. (b) As a substitute for or in addition to the forfeiture actions, the Corporation Counsel may, on behalf of the County, seek enforcement of any or all parts of this Ordinance by a court action seeking injunctive relief. (c) In addition to any forfeitures or penalties, the violation of this Ordinance which caused the forfeiture or penalty must be abated unless otherwise directed by a Court of competent jurisdiction. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.6(A) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.6(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Property Owners and Agents: It shall be the responsibility of the property owners and their agents or other persons acting on their behalf including builders and contractors to comply with the terms of this Ordinance. Any person failing to comply with this Ordinance is subject to enforcement under Section 9.6(A). History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.6(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Page 120 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 88 (C) Governmental Bodies: Unless specifically exempted by law, all cities, villages, towns, and counties are required to comply with this Ordinance and obtain all necessary permits. Unless specifically exempted by law, all state agencies are required to comply if Wis. Stats. §13.48(13) applies. Unless specifically exempted by law, federal agencies are required to comply with this Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-267, Article IX, Section 9.6(C) amended effective 6/1/2021 (D) Suspension of Permit: Whenever the zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator, or Deputy Zoning Administrator determines there are reasonable grounds for believing there is a violation of any provisions of this Ordinance, the Zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator or Deputy Zoning Administrator shall give notice to the owner of record as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall be in writing and shall include a statement of reason for the suspension of the permit. It shall allow for thirty (30) days for the performance of any act it requires. If work cannot be completed in the thirty (30) day period, an extension may be granted if reason of hardship prevails and can be verified. Such notice or order shall be deemed to have been properly served upon such owner or agent when a copy thereof has been sent by certified mail to owner’s last known address or when the owner has been served by such notice by any method authorized by the laws of the State of Wisconsin. The owner of record has the right to appeal any decision by the Zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator, or Deputy Zoning Administrator or apply to the Vilas County Board of Adjustment for a variance from the strict rule of the Ordinance within thirty (30) days of receipt of a notice or order. History: Amendment 85-199, Article IX, Section 9.6(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.6(D) amended effective 12/15/2025 (E) Emergency Conditions: Whenever the Zoning Administrator finds that an emergency exists such as sudden, unexpected occurrences or combinations thereof, unforeseen conditions or circumstances at the time beyond one’s control, adverse weather conditions, meeting a timetable which requires immediate action to protect the public health, safety and welfare, the Administrator may, without notice or hearing, issue an order citing the existence of such emergency and may require that such action be taken as may be deemed necessary to meet the emergency. The Administrator shall notify the Chairperson of the Zoning and Planning Committee within 24 hours of such situations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Ordinance such order shall become effective immediately. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply wherewith immediately. Appeals or challenges to emergency orders may be brought after emergency conditions have ceased, to the Board of Adjustment. History: Amendment 85-141, Article IX, Section 9.6(E) created effective 11/8/1999 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.6(E) amended effective 12/15/2025 (F) No enforcement action may be commenced against a person who owns a structure that is in violation of this Ordinance if the structure has been in place for more than ten (10) years. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.6(F) created effective 12/15/2025 Page 121 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 89 9.7 NOTIFICATION TO THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Written notice shall be given to the appropriate district office of the Department of Natural Resources at least ten (10) days prior to hearings on proposed variances, conditional uses, appeals for map or text interpretations, and map or text amendments, and submission shall be made to the same office of copies of decisions on variances, conditional uses, appeals for map or text interpretations, and map or text amendments within ten (10) days after they are granted or denied. History: Amendment 85-141, Article IX, Section 9.7 created effective 11/8/1999 9.8 REZONING OF LAND OUT OF FARMLAND PRESERV ATION OVERLAY (FP) ZONING DISTRICT (A) Rezoning of land out of Farmland Preservation Overlay Zoning District shall be accomplished by the procedures set forth in Section 9.5 of this Ordinance. (B) Except as provided in paragraph (C) below, the County Board of Supervisors may not rezone land out of the Farmland Preservation Zoning District unless the County Board of Supervisors finds all of the following in writing as part of the official record of the rezoning: (1) The rezoned land is better suited for a use not permitted in the Farmland Preservation Zoning District; (2) The rezoning is consistent with the Vilas County Comprehensive Plan and any applicable Town comprehensive plans; (3) The rezoning is substantially consistent with the Vilas County Farmland Preservation Plan which is in effect at the time of the rezoning; and (4) The rezoning will not substantially impair or limit current or future agricultural use of other protected farmland. (C) Paragraph (B) above does not apply to any of the following: (1) A rezoning that is affirmatively certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection under Chapter 91 of Wisconsin Statutes. (2) A rezoning that makes the farmland preservation zoning ordinance map more consistent with the County farmland preservation plan map certified under Chapter 91 of Wisconsin Statutes which is in effect at the time of rezoning. (D) Statutory Reporting Requirements By March 1 of each year, the Zoning and Planning Department shall provide to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection a report of the number of acres that Vilas County has rezoned out of the Farmland Preservation Zoning District under Paragraph (B) above during the previous year, and a map which clearly shows the location of those acres. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article IX, Section 9.8 created effective 12/15/2025 Page 122 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 90 This page intentionally left blank. Page 123 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 91 ARTICLE X: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Introduction and Explanation: This Article described the Board of Adjustment. This five (5) member Board has powers directly granted to it by the State Legislature. The statutory duties of the Board are to hear and decide appeals from decisions of the Zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator, or Deputies and to consider variances from the strict requirements of the Ordinances where a unique hardship exists and where a waiver of the strict rule of the Ordinance can be granted without destroying the purpose and intent of the Ordinance. History: Amendment 85-199, Article X, Introduction amended effective 5/11/2005 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Introduction amended effective 12/15/2025 10.1 CREATION OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT A Board of Adjustment is hereby created as authorized pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes §59.694. (A) The Board of Adjustment shall consist of five (5) members who shall be appointed by the Vilas County Board Chairperson and approved by the County Board of Supervisors for terms of three (3) years. Alternates shall be designated by the County Board of Supervisors as the first alternate and second alternate, pursuant to Wis. Stats. §59.694(2)(bm). History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Section 10.1(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) The Board of Adjustment may choose its own chairperson and vice-chairperson. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Section 10.1(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 (C) The County Board of Supervisors may employ staff, provide office space and necessary supplies to assist the Board of Adjustment in the administration of their duties, and may pay the actual and necessary expenses incurred by the Board in the performance of its duties. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Section 10.1(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term of any member whose term becomes vacant. History: Amendment 85-199, Article X, Section 10.1(D) amended effective 5/11/2005 10.2 JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY A Board of Adjustment shall have the following powers: (A) To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of Wis. Stat. §59.69 or of any Ordinance adopted pursuant hereto. (B) To hear and decide appeals of Conditional Use decisions by the Zoning and Planning Committee if Section 9.4(H) of this Ordinance applies. History: Amendment 85-267, Article X, Section 10.2(B) amended effective 6/1/2021 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Section 10.2(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 124 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 92 (C) To authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variances from the terms of the Ordinance as will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the Ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the Ordinance shall be observed and substantial justice done. 10.3 MEETINGS AND RULES Meetings of the Board of Adjustment shall be held at the call of the Chairperson and at such other times as the Board may determine. The Chairperson, or in the Chairperson’s absence, the Acting Chairperson may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. All meetings of said Board shall be open to the public. The Board’s secretary shall keep a written record of the outcome of the vote of each member on each question and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the Board of Adjustment and shall be a public record. Any person may appear and testify at the hearing either in person or by duly authorized agent or attorney. The Board of Adjustment shall adopt further rules as necessary to carry into effect the regulations of the County Board of Supervisors, which are not in conflict with the Wisconsin Statutes. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Section 10.3 amended effective 12/15/2025 10.4 PROCEDURE FOR HEARING APPEALS (A) Filing Appeals: Appeals to the Board of Adjustment may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board or bureau of Vilas County affected by a decision of the office of the Zoning Administrator, Assistant Zoning Administrator or designated Deputies. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time as provided by the rules of the Board, by filing with the secretary to the Board of Adjustment a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. Upon filing of an appeal, the Zoning Administrator shall transmit to the Board all of the materials constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken. History: Amendment 85-199, Section 10.4(A) amended effective 5/11/2005 Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Section 10.4(A) amended effective 12/15/2025 (B) Stay of Proceedings: An appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from unless the Zoning Administrator certifies to the Board of Adjustment that such a stay would cause imminent peril to life or property. In such case proceedings shall not be stayed other than by a restraining order, which may be granted by the Board of Adjustment or a court of law. Page 125 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 93 (C) Notice of Hearing: The Board of Adjustment shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal. Notice of time, place and purpose of such hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 2 Notice as provided for in Section 985 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Notice of time, place, and purpose of such hearing shall also be given to the applicant or appellant, Zoning Administrator, Town Clerk and the County Board Supervisor for the district in which the property is located. If the appeal involves an area subject to the Shoreland Ordinance or within a 100-year floodplain, notice of the public hearing and a copy of the Board’s decision shall be provided to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources district office. For applications where the property is located within the boundaries of a federally recognized tribal reservation, a written and electronic notice of the public hearing shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to the date of public hearing to the Tribe. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Section 10.4(C) amended effective 12/15/2025 (D) Findings of the Board: The Board of Adjustment, upon its findings, shall render a decision on the appeal within a reasonable time. The Board, upon the majority vote, may reverse, affirm or modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from and may make such order, requirement, decision, or determination as it ought to be made, and to that end shall have all the powers of the officer from whom the appeal is taken. All decisions and findings of the Board of Adjustment on appeal shall in all instances be final administrative determination and shall thereafter be only subject to review by a court of law upon the filing of a writ or certiorari within thirty (30) days of the Board’s decision. 10.5 PROCEDURE FOR HEARING V ARIANCE REQUESTS (A) Application for Variance: An application for variance may be filed by a property owner or owner’s agent with the Board of Adjustment on forms provided by the County. (B) Notice of Hearing: The Board of Adjustment shall fix a reasonable time for hearing variance requests. Notice of time, place and purpose of such hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 2 Notice as provided in Section 985 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Notice of time, place and purpose of such hearing shall also be given to the applicant or appellant, Zoning Administrator, Town Clerk and the County Board Supervisor for the district in which the property is located. If the variance request involved area subject to the Shoreland Ordinance or within a 100-year floodplain, notice of the public hearing and of the Board’s decision shall be provided to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources district office. For applications where the requested variance is located within the boundaries of a federally recognized tribal reservation, a written and electronic notice of application and public hearing shall be sent at least ten (10) days prior to the date of public hearing to the Tribe. History: Ordinance 2025-08, Amendment 85-283, Article X, Section 10.5(B) amended effective 12/15/2025 Page 126 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 94 (C) Findings of the Board: The Board of Adjustment, upon its findings, shall render a decision on the variance request within a reasonable time. A Board decision requires a majority vote. All decisions and findings of the Board of Adjustment on variance requests shall in all instances be final administrative determinations and shall thereafter be only subject to review by a court of law. (D) Standards for Variances: The Board of Adjustment may authorize such variances from the terms of the Ordinance to dimensional standards which will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of the Ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the Ordinance shall be observed and substantial justice done. The Board of Adjustment shall use the following guidelines in interpreting this standard: (1) The particular physical surroundings, shape, or topographic conditions of the specific property involved could result in a particular hardship upon the owner as distinguished from a mere inconvenience if the strict letter of the regulation were to be carried out. (2) The conditions upon which the application for a variance is based would not be applicable generally to other property within the same zoning classification. (3) The purpose of the variance is not based exclusively on a desire for economic or material gain by the applicant or owner. (4) The alleged difficulty or hardship is caused by this Ordinance and has not been created by any person presently having an interest in the property. (5) The granting of a variance will not be detrimental to the welfare or injurious to other property or improvements in the neighborhood in which the property is located. (6) The proposed variance will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property, substantially increase the congestions in the public streets, increase the danger of fire or otherwise endanger the public health, safety and welfare or substantially diminish or impair property value in the neighborhood. (7) No variance shall have the effect of allowing, in any district, uses not permitted in that district. The Board of Adjustment may impose such conditions and restrictions upon the premises benefitted by the variance as may be necessary to comply with the above standards and to better carry out the general intent of this Ordinance. (E) Length of Validity: No order of the Board of Adjustment granting such variance shall be valid for longer than one (1) year from the date of such order unless a Zoning Permit is obtained within such period and the erection or alteration of the building is started or the use commenced. Page 127 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 95 (F) Standards for Variances (Act 67): (1) A variance granted under this Section, after April 5, 2012, shall be deemed expired if the land use or development so approved has not obviously and substantially commenced and completed within two (2) years of the date on which the variance was granted. (2) A variance granted and completed in compliance with this Ordinance runs with the land. History: Amendment 85-267, Article X, Section 10.5(F) created effective 6/1/2021 Page 128 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 96 This page intentionally left blank. Page 129 of 249 VILAS COUNTY GENERAL ZONING ORDINANCE Amended December 15, 2025 97 ARTICLE XI: DEFINITIONS Introduction and Explanation: Article XI contains brief definitions of key words and phrases used throughout the Ordinance. For the purpose, intent, understanding and clarification of this Ordinance the following definitions shall apply. In the instance where a word is not defined, the latest editions of Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary shall be used to define a word. (1) Accessory Structure: A subordinate non-habitable, detached structure which is clearly incidental to, and customarily associated with, the principal structure to which it is related, and which is located on the same lot as the principal structure, including but not limited to a non-rental guesthouse, deck, garage, driveway, fence, etc. and any permanent or temporary appurtenance attached thereto. (2) Adult Use: A type of use having its business distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or related to specific sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for adult patrons. (3) Agriculture: The act of cultivating the soil, producing crops, or raising livestock for food, material, or commercial or industrial use. For purposes of enforcement of this Ordinance agricultural use includes, but is not limited to, beekeeping, commercial feedlots, dairying, egg production, floriculture, fish and fur farming, forest and game management, grazing, livestock raising, orchards, plant greenhouses and nurseries, poultry raising, raising of grain, grass, mint and seed crops, raising of fruits, nuts and berries, s