SB387: Bill Text

SB387,9 Section 9. 59.69 (10e) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,9,21 59.69 (10e) (a) 1. “Development regulations" means the part of a zoning ordinance enacted under this section that applies to elements including setback, height, lot coverage, and side yard.

SB387,10 Section 10. 59.69 (10e) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,9,24 59.69 (10e) (b) An ordinance enacted under this section may not prohibit, or limit based on cost, or require a variance for the repair, maintenance, renovation, rebuilding, or remodeling of a nonconforming structure or any part of a nonconforming structure.

SB387,11 Section 11. 59.692 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,10,6 59.692 (1) (am) “Navigable waters” has the meaning given in s. 281.31 (2) (d), except that “navigable waters” does not include a pond to which all of the following apply:

SB387,10,7 1. It has an area of 5 acres or less.

SB387,10,9 2. It is not hydrologically connected to a natural navigable waterway and does not discharge into a natural navigable waterway except as a result of storm events.

SB387,10,10 3. It has no public access.

SB387,10,11 4. It is entirely surrounded by land privately owned by the same person.

SB387,12 Section 12. 59.692 (1) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,10,15 59.692 (1) (b) (intro.) “Shorelands" means the area within the following distances from the ordinary high-water mark of navigable waters , as defined under s. 281.31 (2) (d):

SB387,13 Section 13. 59.694 (7) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 59.694 (7) (c) 2. and amended to read:

SB387,10,22 59.694 (7) (c) 2. To authorize upon appeal in specific cases variances from the terms of the ordinance that 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.

SB387,11,7 4. A county board may enact an ordinance specifying an expiration date for a variance granted under this paragraph if that date relates to a specific date by which the action authorized by the variance must be commenced or completed. If no such ordinance is in effect at the time a variance is granted, or if the board of adjustment does not specify an expiration date for the variance, a variance granted under this paragraph does not expire unless, at the time it is granted, the board of adjustment specifies in the variance a specific date by which the action authorized by the variance must be commenced or completed. An ordinance enacted after April 5, 2012, may not specify an expiration date for a variance that was granted before April 5, 2012.

SB387,11,8 5. A variance granted under this paragraph runs with the land.

SB387,14 Section 14. 59.694 (7) (c) 1. of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,11,10 59.694 (7) (c) 1. In this paragraph:

SB387,11,14 a. “Area variance” means a modification to a dimensional, physical, or locational requirement such as a setback, frontage, height, bulk, or density restriction for a structure that is granted by the board of adjustment under this subsection.

SB387,11,17 b. “Use variance” means an authorization by the board of adjustment under this subsection for the use of land for a purpose that is otherwise not allowed or is prohibited by the applicable zoning ordinance.

SB387,15 Section 15. 59.694 (7) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,12,4 59.694 (7) (c) 3. A property owner bears the burden of proving “unnecessary hardship," as that term is used in this paragraph, for an area variance, by demonstrating that strict compliance with a zoning ordinance would unreasonably prevent the property owner from using the property owner's property for a permitted purpose or would render conformity with the zoning ordinance unnecessarily burdensome or, for a use variance, by demonstrating that strict compliance with a zoning ordinance would leave the property owner with no reasonable use of the property in the absence of a variance. In all circumstances, a property owner bears the burden of proving that the unnecessary hardship is based on conditions unique to the property, rather than considerations personal to the property owner, and that the unnecessary hardship was not created by the property owner.

SB387,16 Section 16. 60.61 (4e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,12,6 60.61 (4e) Conditional use permits. (a) In this subsection:

SB387,12,8 1. “Conditional use” means a use allowed under a conditional use permit, special exception, or other special zoning permission issued by a town.

SB387,12,12 2. “Substantial evidence” means evidence of such convincing power that reasonable persons would accept it in support of a conclusion. “Substantial evidence” does not include public comment that is based solely on personal opinion, uncorroborated hearsay, or speculation.

SB387,12,15 (b) 1. If an applicant for a conditional use permit meets, or agrees to meet, all of the requirements and conditions specified in the town ordinance, the town shall grant the conditional use permit.

SB387,12,24 2. The requirements and conditions described under subd. 1. must be reasonable and measurable, and may include conditions such as the permit's duration, and the ability of the applicant to transfer or renew the permit. The applicant must demonstrate that the application and all requirements and conditions established by the town relating to the conditional use are, or will be, satisfied, and must demonstrate such satisfaction by substantial evidence. The town must demonstrate that its decision to approve or deny the permit is supported by substantial evidence. Public testimony alone is not substantial evidence and cannot be the sole basis for the town to deny a conditional use permit.

SB387,13,3 (c) Upon receipt of a conditional use permit application, and following publication in the town of a class 2 notice under ch. 985, the town shall hold a public hearing on the application.

SB387,13,8 (d) Once granted, a conditional use permit may remain in effect as long as the conditions upon which the permit was issued are followed, except that the town may impose conditions relating to the permit's duration, and the ability of the applicant to transfer or renew the permit, as well as any other additional, reasonable conditions that are specified in the zoning ordinance.

SB387,13,11 (e) If a town denies a person's conditional use permit application, the person may appeal the decision to the circuit court under the procedures described in s. 59.694 (10).

SB387,17 Section 17. 60.61 (5e) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,13,14 60.61 (5e) (title) Repair , rebuilding, and maintenance of certain nonconforming structures.

SB387,18 Section 18. 60.61 (5e) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,13,18 60.61 (5e) (a) 1. “Development regulations" means the part of a zoning ordinance enacted under this section that applies to elements including setback, height, lot coverage, and side yard.

SB387,19 Section 19. 60.61 (5e) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,13,23 60.61 (5e) (b) An ordinance enacted under this section may not prohibit, or limit based on cost, or require a variance for the repair, maintenance, renovation, rebuilding, or remodeling of a nonconforming structure or any part of a nonconforming structure.

SB387,20 Section 20. 60.62 (4e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,13,25 60.62 (4e) (a) In this subsection:

SB387,14,2 1. “Conditional use” means a use allowed under a conditional use permit, special exception, or other special zoning permission issued by a town.

SB387,14,6 2. “Substantial evidence” means evidence of such convincing power that reasonable persons would accept it in support of a conclusion. “Substantial evidence” does not include public comment that is based solely on personal opinion, uncorroborated hearsay, or speculation.

SB387,14,9 (b) 1. If an applicant for a conditional use permit meets, or agrees to meet, all of the requirements and conditions specified in the town ordinance, the town shall grant the conditional use permit.

SB387,14,18 2. The requirements and conditions described under subd. 1. must be reasonable and measurable, and may include conditions such as the permit's duration, and the ability of the applicant to transfer or renew the permit. The applicant must demonstrate that the application and all requirements and conditions established by the town relating to the conditional use are, or will be, satisfied, and must demonstrate such satisfaction by substantial evidence. The town must demonstrate that its decision to approve or deny the permit is supported by substantial evidence. Public testimony alone is not substantial evidence and cannot be the sole basis for the town to deny a conditional use permit.

SB387,14,21 (c) Upon receipt of a conditional use permit application, and following publication in the town of a class 2 notice under ch. 985, the town shall hold a public hearing on the application.

SB387,15,2 (d) Once granted, a conditional use permit may remain in effect as long as the conditions upon which the permit was issued are followed, except that the town may impose conditions relating to the permit's duration, and the ability of the applicant to transfer or renew the permit, as well as any other additional, reasonable conditions that are specified in the zoning ordinance.

SB387,15,5 (e) If a town denies a person's conditional use permit application, the person may appeal the decision to the circuit court under the procedures described in s. 61.35.

SB387,21 Section 21. 62.23 (7) (de) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,15,7 62.23 (7) (de) Conditional use permits. 1. In this paragraph:

SB387,15,9 a. “Conditional use” means a use allowed under a conditional use permit, special exception, or other special zoning permission issued by a city.

SB387,15,13 b. “Substantial evidence” means evidence of such convincing power that reasonable persons would accept it in support of a conclusion. “Substantial evidence” does not include public comment that is based solely on personal opinion, uncorroborated hearsay, or speculation.

SB387,15,16 2. a. If an applicant for a conditional use permit meets, or agrees to meet, all of the requirements and conditions specified in the city ordinance, the city shall grant the conditional use permit.

SB387,15,25 b. The requirements and conditions described under subd. 2. a. must be reasonable and measurable, and may include conditions such as the permit's duration, and the ability of the applicant to transfer or renew the permit. The applicant must demonstrate that the application and all requirements and conditions established by the city relating to the conditional use are, or will be, satisfied, and must demonstrate such satisfaction by substantial evidence. The city must demonstrate that its decision to approve or deny the permit is supported by substantial evidence. Public testimony alone is not substantial evidence and cannot be the sole basis for the council to deny a conditional use permit.

SB387,16,3 3. Upon receipt of a conditional use permit application, and following publication in the city of a class 2 notice under ch. 985, the city shall hold a public hearing on the application.

SB387,16,8 4. Once granted, a conditional use permit may remain in effect as long as the conditions upon which the permit was issued are followed, except that the city may impose conditions relating to the permit's duration, and the ability of the applicant to transfer or renew the permit, as well as any other additional, reasonable conditions that are specified in the zoning ordinance.

SB387,16,10 5. If a city denies a person's conditional use permit application, the person may appeal the decision to the circuit court under the procedures contained in par. (e) 10.

SB387,22 Section 22. 62.23 (7) (e) 7. of the statutes is renumbered 62.23 (7) (e) 7. b. and amended to read:

SB387,16,23 62.23 (7) (e) 7. b. The board of appeals shall have the following powers: 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 this section or of any ordinance adopted pursuant thereto; to hear and decide special exception to the terms of the ordinance upon which such board is required to pass under such ordinance; to authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variance 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 practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, so that the spirit of the ordinance shall be observed, public safety and welfare secured, and substantial justice done.

SB387,17,8 e. The council of a city may enact an ordinance specifying an expiration date for a variance granted under this subdivision if that date relates to a specific date by which the action authorized by the variance must be commenced or completed. If no such ordinance is in effect at the time a variance is granted, or if the board of appeals does not specify an expiration date for the variance, a variance granted under this subdivision does not expire unless, at the time it is granted, the board of appeals specifies in the variance a specific date by which the action authorized by the variance must be commenced or completed. An ordinance enacted after April 5, 2012, may not specify an expiration date for a variance that was granted before April 5, 2012.

SB387,17,9 f. A variance granted under this subdivision runs with the land.

SB387,17,14 c. The board may permit in appropriate cases, and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinance, a building or premises to be erected or used for such public utility purposes in any location which is reasonably necessary for the public convenience and welfare.

SB387,23 Section 23. 62.23 (7) (e) 7. a. of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,17,22 62.23 (7) (e) 7. a. In this subdivision, “area variance” means a modification to a dimensional, physical, or locational requirement such as a setback, frontage, height, bulk, or density restriction for a structure that is granted by the board of appeals under this paragraph. In this subdivision, “use variance” means an authorization by the board of appeals under this paragraph for the use of land for a purpose that is otherwise not allowed or is prohibited by the applicable zoning ordinance.

SB387,24 Section 24. 62.23 (7) (e) 7. d. of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,18,9 62.23 (7) (e) 7. d. A property owner bears the burden of proving “unnecessary hardship," as that term is used in this subdivision, for an area variance, by demonstrating that strict compliance with a zoning ordinance would unreasonably prevent the property owner from using the property owner's property for a permitted purpose or would render conformity with the zoning ordinance unnecessarily burdensome or, for a use variance, by demonstrating that strict compliance with a zoning ordinance would leave the property owner with no reasonable use of the property in the absence of a variance. In all circumstances, a property owner bears the burden of proving that the unnecessary hardship is based on conditions unique to the property, rather than considerations personal to the property owner, and that the unnecessary hardship was not created by the property owner.

SB387,25 Section 25. 62.23 (7) (hb) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,18,12 62.23 (7) (hb) (title) Repair , rebuilding, and maintenance of certain nonconforming structures.

SB387,26 Section 26. 62.23 (7) (hb) 1. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,18,16 62.23 (7) (hb) 1. a. “Development regulations" means the part of a zoning ordinance enacted under this subsection that applies to elements including setback, height, lot coverage, and side yard.

SB387,27 Section 27. 62.23 (7) (hb) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,18,20 62.23 (7) (hb) 2. An ordinance enacted under this subsection may not prohibit, or limit based on cost, the repair, maintenance, renovation, or remodeling of a nonconforming structure.

SB387,28 Section 28. 66.10015 (1) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,18,24 66.10015 (1) (e) “Substandard lot” means a legally created lot or parcel that met any applicable lot size requirements when it was created, but does not meet current lot size requirements.

SB387,29 Section 29. 66.10015 (2) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,19,3 66.10015 (2) (e) Notwithstanding any other law or rule, or any action or proceeding under the common law, a political subdivision may not prohibit a property owner from doing any of the following:

SB387,19,4 1. Conveying an ownership interest in a substandard lot.

SB387,19,5 2. Using a substandard lot as a building site if all of the following apply:

SB387,19,7 a. The substandard lot or parcel has never been developed with one or more of its structures placed partly upon an adjacent lot or parcel.

SB387,19,9 b. The substandard lot or parcel is developed to comply with all other ordinances of the political subdivision.

SB387,30 Section 30. 66.10015 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,19,14 66.10015 (4) Notwithstanding the authority granted under ss. 59.69, 60.61, 60.62, 61.35, and 62.23, no political subdivision may enact an ordinance or take any other action that requires one or more lots to be merged with another lot, for any purpose, without the consent of the owners of the lots that are to be merged.

SB387,31 Section 31. 227.10 (2p) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,19,18 227.10 (2p) No agency may promulgate a rule or take any other action that requires one or more lots to be merged with another lot, for any purpose, without the consent of the owners of the lots that are to be merged.

SB387,32 Section 32. 710.17 of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,19,21 710.17 Right to display the flag of the United States. (1) Definitions. In this section:

SB387,19,25 (a) “Housing cooperative” means a cooperative incorporated under ch. 185 or organized under ch. 193 that owns residential property that is used or intended to be used, in whole or in part, by the members of the housing cooperative as their homes or residences.

SB387,20,3 (b) “Member of a homeowners' association” means a person that owns residential property within a subdivision, development, or other similar area that is subject to any policy or restriction adopted by a homeowners' association.

SB387,20,6 (c) “Member of a housing cooperative” means a member, as defined in s. 185.01 (5) or 193.005 (15), of a housing cooperative if the member uses or intends to use part of the property of the housing cooperative as the member's home or residence.

SB387,20,12 (2) Right to display the flag of the United States. (a) Except as provided in sub. (3), a homeowners' association may not adopt or enforce a covenant, condition, or restriction, or enter into an agreement, that restricts or prevents a member of the homeowners' association from displaying the flag of the United States on property in which the member has an ownership interest and that is subject to any policy or restriction adopted by the homeowners' association.

SB387,20,17 (b) Except as provided in sub. (3), a housing cooperative may not adopt or enforce a covenant, condition, or restriction, or enter into an agreement, that restricts or prevents a member of the housing cooperative from displaying the flag of the United States on property of the housing cooperative to which the member has a right to exclusive possession or use.