59.69(9)
(9) Zoning of county-owned lands. 59.69(9)(a)(a) The county board may by ordinance zone and rezone lands owned by the county without necessity of securing the approval of the town boards of the towns wherein the lands are situated and without following the procedure outlined in
sub. (5), provided that the county board shall give written notice to the town board of the town wherein the lands are situated of its intent to so rezone and shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rezoning ordinance and give notice of the hearing by posting in 5 public places in the town.
59.69(9)(b)
(b) This subsection does not apply to land that is subject to a town zoning ordinance which is purchased by the county for use as a solid or hazardous waste disposal facility or hazardous waste storage or treatment facility, as these terms are defined under
s. 289.01.
59.69 Note
NOTE: Par. (b) is shown as affected by two acts of the 1995 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c).
59.69(10)(a)(a) An ordinance enacted under this section may not prohibit the continuance of the lawful use of any building or premises for any trade or industry for which such building or premises is used at the time that the ordinances take effect, but the alteration of, or addition to, or repair in excess of 50% of its assessed value of any existing building or structure for the purpose of carrying on any prohibited trade or new industry within the district where such buildings or structures are located, may be prohibited. The continuance of the nonconforming use of a temporary structure may be prohibited. If the nonconforming use is discontinued for a period of 12 months, any future use of the building and premises shall conform to the ordinance.
59.69(10)(b)1.1. Except as provided under
subd. 2., the board shall designate an officer to administer the zoning ordinance, who may be the secretary of the zoning agency, a building inspector appointed under
s. 59.698 or other appropriate person.
59.69(10)(b)2.
2. Notwithstanding
subd. 1. and
s. 59.698, in a county with a county zoning agency and a county executive or county administrator, the county executive or county administrator shall appoint and supervise the head of the county zoning agency and the county building inspector, in separate or combined positions. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the board unless the board, by ordinance, elects to waive confirmation or unless the appointment is made under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under
s. 59.52 (8) or
ch. 63. The board, by resolution or ordinance, may provide that, notwithstanding
s. 17.10 (6), the head of the county zoning agency and the county building inspector, whether serving in a separate or combined position, if appointed under this subdivision, may not be removed from his or her position except for cause.
59.69(10)(b)3.
3. The officer designated under
subd. 1. or
2. shall cause a record to be made immediately after the enactment of an ordinance or amendment thereto, or change in district boundary, approved by the town board, of all lands, premises and buildings in the town used for purposes not conforming to the regulations applicable to the district in which they are situated. The record shall include the legal description of the lands, the nature and extent of the uses therein, and the names and addresses of the owner or occupant or both. Promptly on its completion the record shall be published in the county as a class 1 notice, under
ch. 985. The record, as corrected, shall be on file with the register of deeds 60 days after the last publication and shall be prima facie evidence of the extent and number of nonconforming uses existing on the effective date of the ordinance in the town. Corrections before the filing of the record with the register of deeds may be made on the filing of sworn proof in writing, satisfactory to the officer administering the zoning ordinance.
59.69(10)(c)
(c) The board shall prescribe a procedure for the annual listing of nonconforming uses, discontinued or created, since the previous listing and for all other nonconforming uses. Discontinued and newly created nonconforming uses shall be recorded with the register of deeds immediately after the annual listing.
59.69(10)(d)
(d) Paragraphs (b) and
(c) shall not apply to counties issuing building permits or occupancy permits as a means of enforcing the zoning ordinance or to counties which have provided other procedures for this purpose.
59.69(11)
(11) Procedure for enforcement of county zoning ordinance. The board shall prescribe rules, regulations and administrative procedures, and provide such administrative personnel as it considers necessary for the enforcement of this section, and all ordinances enacted in pursuance thereof. The rules and regulations and the districts, setback building lines and regulations authorized by this section, shall be prescribed by ordinances which shall be declared to be for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety and general welfare. The ordinances shall be enforced by appropriate forfeitures. Compliance with such ordinances may also be enforced by injunctional order at the suit of the county or an owner of real estate within the district affected by the regulation.
59.69(12)
(12) Prior ordinances effective. Nothing in this section shall invalidate any county zoning ordinance enacted under statutes in effect before July 20, 1951.
59.69(13)
(13) Construction of section. The powers granted in this section shall be liberally construed in favor of the county exercising them, and this section shall not be construed to limit or repeal any powers now possessed by a county.
59.69(14)
(14) Limitation of actions. A landowner, occupant or other person who is affected by a county zoning ordinance or amendment, who claims that the ordinance or amendment is invalid because procedures prescribed by the statutes or the ordinance were not followed, shall commence an action within the time provided by
s. 893.73 (1), except this subsection and
s. 893.73 (1) do not apply unless there has been at least one publication of a notice of a zoning hearing in a local newspaper of general circulation and unless there has been held a public hearing on the ordinance or amendment at the time and place specified in the notice.
59.69(15)
(15) Community and other living arrangements. For purposes of this section, the location of a community living arrangement, as defined in
s. 46.03 (22), a foster home, as defined in
s. 48.02 (6), a treatment foster home, as defined in
s. 48.02 (17q), or an adult family home, as defined in
s. 50.01 (1), in any municipality, shall be subject to the following criteria:
59.69(15)(a)
(a) No community living arrangement may be established after March 28, 1978, within 2,500 feet, or any lesser distance established by an ordinance of a municipality, of any other such facility. Agents of a facility may apply for an exception to this requirement, and such exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the municipality. Two community living arrangements may be adjacent if the municipality authorizes that arrangement and if both facilities comprise essential components of a single program.
59.69(15)(b)1.1. Community living arrangements shall be permitted in each municipality without restriction as to the number of facilities, so long as the total capacity of the community living arrangements does not exceed 25 or 1% of the municipality's population, whichever is greater. When the capacity of the community living arrangements in the municipality reaches that total, the municipality may prohibit additional community living arrangements from locating in the municipality. In any municipality, when the capacity of community living arrangements in an aldermanic district in a city or a ward in a village or town reaches 25 or 1% of the population, whichever is greater, of the district or ward, the municipality may prohibit additional community living arrangements from being located within the district or ward. Agents of a facility may apply for an exception to the requirements of this subdivision, and such exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the municipality.
59.69(15)(b)2.
2. No community living arrangement may be established after January 1, 1995, within 2,500 feet, or any lesser distance established by an ordinance of the municipality, of any other such facility. Agents of a facility may apply for an exception to this requirement, and exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the municipality. Two community living arrangements may be adjacent if the municipality authorizes that arrangement and if both facilities comprise essential components of a single program.
59.69(15)(bm)
(bm) A foster home or a treatment foster home that is the primary domicile of a foster parent or treatment foster parent and that is licensed under
s. 48.62 or an adult family home certified under
s. 50.032 (1m) (b) shall be a permitted use in all residential areas and is not subject to
pars. (a) and
(b) except that foster homes and treatment foster homes operated by corporations, child welfare agencies, religious associations, as defined in
s. 157.061 (15), associations or public agencies shall be subject to
pars. (a) and
(b).
59.69(15)(br)1.1. No adult family home described in
s. 50.01 (1) (b) may be established within 2,500 feet, or any lesser distance established by an ordinance of the municipality, of any other adult family home described in
s. 50.01 (1) (b) or any community living arrangement. An agent of an adult family home described in
s. 50.01 (1) (b) may apply for an exception to this requirement, and the exception may be granted at the discretion of the municipality.
59.69(15)(br)2.
2. An adult family home described in
s. 50.01 (1) (b) that meets the criteria specified in
subd. 1. and that is licensed under
s. 50.033 (1m) (b) is permitted in the municipality without restriction as to the number of adult family homes and may locate in any residential zone, without being required to obtain special zoning permission except as provided in
par. (i).
59.69(15)(c)
(c) Where the community living arrangement has capacity for 8 or fewer persons being served by the program, meets the criteria listed in
pars. (a) and
(b), and is licensed, operated or permitted under the authority of the department of health and family services, that facility is entitled to locate in any residential zone, without being required to obtain special zoning permission except as provided in
par. (i).
59.69(15)(d)
(d) Where the community living arrangement has capacity for 9 to 15 persons being served by the program, meets the criteria listed in
pars. (a) and
(b), and is licensed, or operated or permitted under the authority of the department of health and family services, the facility is entitled to locate in any residential area except areas zoned exclusively for single-family or 2-family residences, except as provided in
par. (i), but is entitled to apply for special zoning permission to locate in those areas. The municipality may grant special zoning permission at its discretion and shall make a procedure available to enable such facilities to request such permission.
59.69(15)(e)
(e) Where the community living arrangement has capacity for serving 16 or more persons, meets the criteria listed in
pars. (a) and
(b), and is licensed, operated or permitted under the authority of the department of health and family services, that facility is entitled to apply for special zoning permission to locate in areas zoned for residential use. The municipality may grant special zoning permission at its discretion and shall make a procedure available to enable such facilities to request such permission.
59.69(15)(f)
(f) The department of health and family services shall designate a single subunit within the department to maintain appropriate records indicating the location and the capacity of each community living arrangement, and the information shall be available to the public.
59.69(15)(g)
(g) In this subsection, "special zoning permission" includes, but is not limited to, the following: special exception, special permit, conditional use, zoning variance, conditional permit and words of similar intent.
59.69(15)(h)
(h) The attorney general shall take action, upon the request of the department of health and family services, to enforce compliance with this subsection.
59.69(15)(i)
(i) Not less than 11 months nor more than 13 months after the first licensure of an adult family home under
s. 50.033 or of a community living arrangement and every year thereafter, the common council or village or town board of a municipality in which a licensed adult family home or a community living arrangement is located may make a determination as to the effect of the adult family home or community living arrangement on the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the municipality. The determination shall be made according to the procedures provided under
par. (j). If the common council or village or town board determines that the existence in the municipality of a licensed adult family home or a community living arrangement poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the municipality, the common council or village or town board may order the adult family home or community living arrangement to cease operation unless special zoning permission is obtained. The order is subject to judicial review under
s. 68.13, except that a free copy of the transcript may not be provided to the licensed adult family home or community living arrangement. The licensed adult family home or community living arrangement shall cease operation within 90 days after the date of the order, or the date of final judicial review of the order, or the date of the denial of special zoning permission, whichever is later.
59.69(15)(im)
(im) The fact that an individual with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or a positive test for the presence of HIV, as defined in
s. 252.01 (1m), antigen or nonantigenic products of HIV or an antibody to HIV resides in a community living arrangement with a capacity for 8 or fewer persons may not be used under
par. (i) to assert or prove that the existence of the community living arrangement in the municipality poses a threat to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the municipality.
59.69(15)(j)
(j) A determination under
par. (i) shall be made after a hearing before the common council or village or town board. The municipality shall provide at least 30 days' notice to the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement that such a hearing will be held. At the hearing, the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement may be represented by counsel and may present evidence and call and examine witnesses and cross-examine other witnesses called. The common council or village or town board may call witnesses and may issue subpoenas. All witnesses shall be sworn by the common council, town board or village board. The common council or village or town board shall take notes of the testimony and shall mark and preserve all exhibits. The common council or village or town board may, and upon request of the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement shall, cause the proceedings to be taken by a stenographer or by a recording device, the expense thereof to be paid by the municipality. Within 20 days after the hearing, the common council or village or town board shall mail or deliver to the licensed adult family home or the community living arrangement its written determination stating the reasons therefor. The determination shall be a final determination.
59.69 History
History: 1971 c. 40 s.
93;
1971 c. 86,
224;
1973 c. 274;
1977 c. 205;
1979 c. 233 ss.
2 to
5,
7 and
8;
1979 c. 323;
1981 c. 341,
354,
374;
1983 a. 192 s.
303 (1);
1983 a. 410;
1983 a. 532 s.
36;
1985 a. 29,
136,
196,
281,
316;
1987 a. 161,
395;
1989 a. 80,
201;
1991 a. 255,
269,
316;
1993 a. 16,
27,
246,
327,
400,
446,
491;
1995 a. 27 ss.
9130 (4),
9126 (19);
1995 a. 201 s.
475; Stats. 1995 s. 59.69;
1995 a. 225 s.
174;
1995 a. 227; s. 13.93 (2) (c).
59.69 Annotation
A zoning ordinance may distinguish between foster homes and therapeutic homes for the care of children. Browndale International v. Board of Adjustment, 60 W (2d) 182, 208 NW (2d) 121.
59.69 Annotation
Plaintiff is not required to exhaust administrative remedies when his claim is that a zoning ordinance is unconstitutional; he may ask for a declaratory judgment. An ordinance classifying land as agricultural when it is unfit for agriculture is unreasonable and amounts to a taking of the land without compensation. Kmiec v. Town of Spider Lake, 60 W (2d) 640, 211 NW (2d) 471.
59.69 Annotation
A property owner does not acquire a "vested interest" in the continuance of a nonconforming use, and such status will be denied if the specific use was casual and occasional, or if such a use was merely accessory or incidental to the principal use. Walworth County v. Hartwell, 62 W (2d) 57, 214 NW (2d) 288.
59.69 Annotation
Under s. 59.97 [now s. 59.69] (5) (c), a county zoning ordinance becomes effective in a town upon approval of the text by the town board and the filing of the approving resolution with the town clerk and not when it merely adopts a zoning map. Racine County v. Alby, 65 W (2d) 574, 223 NW (2d) 438.
59.69 Annotation
Zoning ordinances, being in derogation of common law, are to be construed in favor of free use of private property. Cohen v. Dane Co. Bd. of Adjustment, 74 W (2d) 87, 246 NW (2d) 112.
59.69 Annotation
Municipality is not required to show irreparable injury before obtaining injunction under s. 59.97 [now s. 59.69] (11). County of Columbia v. Bylewski, 94 W (2d) 153, 288 NW (2d) 129 (1980).
59.69 Annotation
Under s. 59.97 [now s. 59.69] (9) county may rezone county-owned land contrary to town zoning laws and without town approval. Town of Ringle v. County of Marathon, 104 W (2d) 297, 311 NW (2d) 595 (1981).
59.69 Annotation
Environmental zoning discussed. M & I Marshall Bank v. Town of Somers, 141 W (2d) 271, 414 NW (2d) 824 (1987).
59.69 Annotation
For purposes of determining a nonconforming use of a quarry site, all land is used which contains the mineral and which is integral to the operation although a particular portion may not be under actual excavation. Smart v. Dane County Bd. of Adjustment, 177 W (2d) 445, 501 NW (2d) 782 (1993).
59.69 Annotation
The power to regulate nonconforming uses uses includes the power to limit the extension or expansion of the use if it results in a change in the character of the use. Waukesha County v. Pewaukee Marina, Inc. 187 W (2d) 18, 522 NW (2d) 536 (Ct. App. 1994).
59.69 Annotation
Where a zoning ordinance is changed, a builder may have a vested right, enforceable by mandamus, to build under the previously existing ordinance if the builder has submitted, prior to the change, an application for a permit in strict and complete conformance with the ordinance then in effect. Lake Bluff Housing Partners v. South Milwaukee, 197 W (2d) 157, 540 NW (2d) 189 (1995).
59.69 Annotation
The fact that a county is within a regional planning commission does not affect county zoning power. 61 Atty. Gen. 220.
59.69 Annotation
Authority of a county to regulate house trailers or mobile homes under this section, and other zoning questions discussed. 62 Atty. Gen. 292.
59.69 Annotation
See note to 62.23, citing 63 Atty. Gen. 34.
59.69 Annotation
Under s. 59.97 [now s. 59.69] (5) (c), town board approval of a comprehensive county zoning ordinance must extend to such ordinance in its entirety and may not extend only to parts of such ordinance. 63 Atty. Gen. 199.
59.69 Annotation
County which has enacted countywide comprehensive zoning ordinance under this section may not authorize withdrawal of town approval of the ordinance or exclude any town from the ordinance. 67 Atty. Gen. 197.
59.69 Annotation
Effect of 91.73 (4) on procedures to amend county comprehensive zoning ordinance under s. 59.97 [now s. 59.69] (5) (e) discussed. 67 Atty. Gen. 290.
59.69 Annotation
The office of county planning and zoning commission member is incompatible with the position of executive director of the county housing authority.
81 Atty. Gen. 90.
59.69 Annotation
An amendment to a county zoning ordinance adding a new zoning district does not necessarily constitute a comprehensive revision requiring town board approval of the entire ordinance under s. 59.97 [now s. 59.69] (5) (d).
81 Atty. Gen. 98.
59.69 Annotation
Architectural Appearances Ordinances and the 1st Amendment. Rice. 76 MLR 439 (1992).
59.692
59.692
Zoning of shorelands on navigable waters. 59.692(1)(a)
(a) "Department" means the department of natural resources.
59.692(1)(b)
(b) "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):
59.692 Note
NOTE: Par. (b) is shown as affected by two acts of the 1995 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c).
59.692(1)(b)1.
1. One thousand feet from a lake, pond or flowage. If the navigable water is a glacial pothole lake, this distance shall be measured from the high-water mark of the lake.
59.692(1)(b)2.
2. Three hundred feet from a river or stream or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater.
59.692(1)(c)
(c) "Shoreland zoning standard" means a standard for ordinances enacted under this section that are promulgated as rules by the department.
59.692(1m)
(1m) To effect the purposes of
s. 281.31 and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, each county shall zone by ordinance all shorelands in its unincorporated area. This ordinance may be enacted separately from ordinances enacted under
s. 59.69.
59.692 Note
NOTE: Sub. (1m) is shown as affected by two acts of the 1995 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c).
59.692(1r)
(1r) An ordinance enacted under this section may not prohibit the maintenance of stairs, platforms or decks that were constructed before August 15, 1991, and that are located in any of the following shorelands:
59.692(1r)(a)
(a) The shoreland of Lake Wissota in Chippewa county.
59.692(1r)(b)
(b) The shorelands of Lake Holcombe in Chippewa and Rusk counties.
59.692(2)(a)(a) Except as otherwise specified, all provisions of
s. 59.69 apply to ordinances and their amendments enacted under this section whether or not enacted separately from ordinances enacted under
s. 59.69, but the ordinances and amendments shall not require approval or be subject to disapproval by any town or town board.
59.692(2)(b)
(b) If an existing town ordinance relating to shorelands is more restrictive than an ordinance later enacted under this section affecting the same shorelands, it continues as a town ordinance in all respects to the extent of the greater restrictions, but not otherwise.
59.692(2)(c)
(c) Ordinances that are enacted under this section shall accord and be consistent with any comprehensive zoning plan or general zoning ordinance applicable to the enacting counties, so far as practicable.
59.692(3)
(3) All powers granted to a county under
s. 236.45 may be exercised by it with respect to shorelands, but the county must have or provide a planning agency as defined in
s. 236.02 (3).
59.692(4)(a)(a) Section 66.30 applies to this section, except that for the purposes of this section an agreement under
s. 66.30 shall be effected by ordinance. If the municipalities as defined in
s. 281.31 are served by a regional planning commission under
s. 66.945, the commission may, with its consent, be empowered by the ordinance of agreement to administer each ordinance enacted hereunder throughout its enacting municipality, whether or not the area otherwise served by the commission includes all of that municipality.
59.692 Note
NOTE: Par. (a) is shown as affected by two acts of the 1995 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c).
59.692(4)(b)
(b) Variances and appeals regarding shorelands within a county are for the board of adjustment for that county under
s. 59.694, and the procedures of that section apply.
59.692(5)
(5) An ordinance enacted under this section supersedes all provisions of an ordinance enacted under
s. 59.69 that relate to shorelands.
59.692(6)
(6) If a county does not enact an ordinance by January 1, 1968, or if the department, after notice and hearing, determines that a county has enacted an ordinance that fails to meet the shoreland zoning standards, the department shall adopt such an ordinance for the county. As far as possible,
s. 87.30 shall apply to this subsection.
59.692(7)(a)(a) Provisions of a county shoreland zoning ordinance that are enacted under this section that were applicable, prior to annexation, to any shoreland area annexed by a city or village after May 7, 1982, shall continue in effect and shall be enforced after annexation by the annexing city or village unless any of the following occurs:
59.692(7)(a)1.
1. The city or village enacts, administers and enforces a zoning ordinance, for the annexed area, that complies with the shoreland zoning standards and that is at least as restrictive as the county shoreland zoning ordinance.
59.692(7)(a)2.
2. After annexation, the city or village requests the county to amend the county shoreland zoning ordinance as it applies to the annexed area to delete or modify provisions that meet the specifications under
par. (ag), the county enacts the amendment and the city or village administers and enforces the amended ordinance as it applies to the annexed area.
59.692(7)(a)3.
3. After annexation, the city or village requests that the county shoreland zoning ordinance, as it applies to the annexed area, continues to be in effect and enforced by the county and the county agrees to enforce the ordinance.
59.692(7)(ad)
(ad) Provisions of a county shoreland zoning ordinance that are enacted under this section that were applicable, prior to incorporation, to any shoreland area that is part of a town that incorporates as a city or village under
s. 66.012,
66.014,
66.018 or
66.019 after April 30, 1994, shall continue in effect and shall be enforced after incorporation by the incorporated city or village unless any of the following occurs:
59.692(7)(ad)1.
1. The city or village enacts, administers and enforces a zoning ordinance that complies with the shoreland zoning standards and that is at least as restrictive as the county shoreland zoning ordinance.
59.692(7)(ad)2.
2. After incorporation, the city or village requests the county to amend the county shoreland zoning ordinance as it applies to the incorporated area to delete or modify provisions that meet the specifications under
par. (ag), the county enacts the amendment and the city or village administers and enforces the amended ordinance.
59.692(7)(ad)3.
3. After incorporation, the city or village requests that the county shoreland zoning ordinance, as it applies to the incorporated area, continues to be in effect and enforced by the county and the county agrees to enforce the ordinance.
59.692(7)(ag)
(ag) For purposes of
pars. (a) 2. and
(ad) 2., the types of provisions that may be deleted or modified are those that establish specified land uses or requirements that are associated with those uses and that are not necessary to effect the purposes of
s. 281.31 (1) that relate to the protection of navigable waters.
