Zoning of annexed or incorporated shorelands
Wis. Stat. § 62.233
in effect(1) In this section:
(a) “Principal building” means the main building or structure on a single lot or parcel of land and includes any attached garage or attached porch.
(b) “Shorelands” has the meaning given in s. 59.692 (1) (b).
(c) “Shoreland setback area” has the meaning given in s. 59.692 (1) (bn).
(2) Every city shall, on or before July 1, 2014, enact an ordinance that applies to all of the following shorelands:
(a) A shoreland that was annexed by the city after May 7, 1982, and that prior to annexation was subject to a county shoreland zoning ordinance under s. 59.692.
(b) For a city that incorporated after April 30, 1994, under s. 66.0203, 66.0211, 66.0213, or 66.0215, a shoreland that before incorporation as a city was part of a town that was subject to a county shoreland zoning ordinance under s. 59.692.
(3) A city ordinance enacted under this section shall accord and be consistent with the requirements and limitations under s. 59.692 (1d), (1f), and (1k) and shall include at least all of the following provisions:
(a) A provision establishing a shoreland setback area of at least 50 feet from the ordinary high-water mark, except as provided in par. (b).
(b) A provision authorizing construction or placement of a principal building within the shoreland setback area established under par. (a) if all of the following apply:
1. The principal building is constructed or placed on a lot or parcel of land that is immediately adjacent on each side to a lot or parcel of land containing a principal building.
2. The principal building is constructed or placed within a distance equal to the average setback of the principal building on the adjacent lots or 35 feet from the ordinary high-water mark, whichever distance is greater.
(5) Provisions of a county shoreland zoning ordinance under s. 59.692 and any regulations, approvals, and conditions imposed under the ordinance that were applicable, prior to annexation, to any shoreland annexed by a city after May 7, 1982, continue in effect until the effective date of an ordinance enacted by the city under sub. (2).
(6) Provisions of a county shoreland zoning ordinance under s. 59.692 and any regulations, approvals, and conditions imposed under the ordinance that were applicable prior to incorporation to any shoreland that is part of a town that incorporates as a city under s. 66.0203, 66.0211, 66.0213, or 66.0215 after April 30, 1994, continue in effect until the effective date of an ordinance enacted by the city under sub. (2).
(7) An ordinance enacted under sub. (2) does not apply to lands adjacent to an artificially constructed drainage ditch, pond, or stormwater retention basin if the drainage ditch, pond, or retention basin is not hydrologically connected to a natural navigable water body.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/62.233Fetched: 10/7/2026