Zoning of wetlands in shorelands
Wis. Stat. § 61.351
in effect(1) Definitions. As used in this section:
(a) “Shorelands” has the meaning specified under s. 59.692 (1) (b).
(b) “Wetlands” has the meaning specified under s. 23.32 (1).
(2) Filled wetlands. Any wetlands which are filled prior to the date on which a village receives a final wetlands map from the department of natural resources in a manner which affects their characteristics as wetlands are filled wetlands and not subject to an ordinance adopted under this section.
(2m) Certain wetlands on landward side of an established bulkhead line. Any wetlands on the landward side of a bulkhead line, established by the village under s. 30.11 prior to May 7, 1982 and between that bulkhead line and the ordinary high-water mark are exempt wetlands and not subject to an ordinance adopted under this section.
(3) Adoption of ordinance. To effect the purposes of s. 281.31 and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, each village shall zone by ordinance all unfilled wetlands of 5 acres or more which are shown on the final wetland inventory maps prepared by the department of natural resources for the village under s. 23.32, which are located in any shorelands and which are within its incorporated area. A village may zone by ordinance any unfilled wetlands which are within its incorporated area at any time.
(4) Village planning.
(a) Powers and procedures. Except as provided under sub. (5), s. 61.35 applies to ordinances and amendments enacted under this section.
(b) Impact on other zoning ordinances. If a village ordinance enacted under s. 61.35 affecting wetlands in shorelands is more restrictive than an ordinance enacted under this section affecting the same lands, it continues to be effective in all respects to the extent of the greater restrictions, but not otherwise.
(5) Repair and expansion of existing structures permitted. Notwithstanding s. 62.23 (7) (h), an ordinance adopted under this section may not prohibit the repair, reconstruction, renovation, remodeling or expansion of a nonconforming structure in existence on the effective date of an ordinance adopted under this section or any environmental control facility in existence on the effective date of an ordinance adopted under this section related to that structure.
(5m) Restoration of certain nonconforming structures.
(a) Restrictions that are applicable to damaged or destroyed nonconforming structures and that are contained in an ordinance adopted under this section may not prohibit the restoration of a nonconforming structure if the structure will be restored to the size, subject to par. (b), location, and use that it had immediately before the damage or destruction occurred, or impose any limits on the costs of the repair, reconstruction, or improvement if all of the following apply:
1. The nonconforming structure was damaged or destroyed on or after March 2, 2006.
2. The damage or destruction was caused by violent wind, vandalism, fire, flood, ice, snow, mold, or infestation.
(b) An ordinance adopted under this section to which par. (a) applies shall allow for the size of a structure to be larger than the size it was immediately before the damage or destruction if necessary for the structure to comply with applicable state or federal requirements.
(6) Failure to adopt ordinance. If any village does not adopt an ordinance required under sub. (3) within 6 months after receipt of final wetland inventory maps prepared by the department of natural resources for the village under s. 23.32, or if the department of natural resources, after notice and hearing, determines that a village adopted an ordinance which fails to meet reasonable minimum standards in accomplishing the shoreland protection objectives of s. 281.31 (1), the department of natural resources shall adopt an ordinance for the village. As far as applicable, the procedures set forth in s. 87.30 apply to this subsection.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/61.351Fetched: 10/7/2026