59.66(2)(a)1.1. On or before January 10 of every odd-numbered year, each officer of a municipality and county, and each clerk of every court of record, shall file with the treasurer of that person's county a written report under oath giving the names and the last-known addresses of all persons for whom any such officer or clerk holds money or security, and which has not been claimed for at least one year, and showing the amount of the money or the nature of the security in detail. A duplicate report shall also be mailed to the department of financial institutions.
59.66(2)(a)1g.
1g. Upon receiving the reports under subd.
1., the treasurer shall, on or before February 1 of the same year, provide notice in any of the following manners:
59.66(2)(a)1g.a.
a. By providing a class 3 notice, under ch.
985, of the names and last-known addresses of the owners of unclaimed money or security that has a value of at least $20. Each notice under this subd.
1g. a. shall state that unless the owner requests and proves ownership of the money or security within 6 months from the time of the completed publication, the treasurer will take possession of the money or security.
59.66(2)(a)1g.b.
b. By providing a class 1 notice, under ch.
985, of the names and last-known addresses of the owners of unclaimed money or security that has a value of at least $20, and, beginning the week after the class 1 notice, providing a class 2 notice, under ch.
985, that a list of names and last-known addresses of the owners of unclaimed money or security that has a value of at least $20 is available on the county's Internet site, on the Wisconsin newspapers legal notices Internet site, as defined in s.
985.01 (7), and at the treasurer's office. Each notice under this subd.
1g. b. shall state that unless the owner requests and proves ownership of the money or security within 6 months from the time of the completed publication, the treasurer will take possession of the money or security. If the treasurer provides notice under this subd.
1g. b., the treasurer shall make available the list of names and last-known addresses of the owners of unclaimed money or security that has a value of at least $20 on the county's Internet site and at the treasurer's office.
59.66(2)(a)1t.
1t. At the end of the 6 months from the time of the completed notice procedure under subd.
1g., the treasurer shall take possession or control of all money or security of persons for whom an officer of a municipality and county, and each clerk of every court of record, holds money or security, and which has not been claimed for at least one year, if the money or security has a value of less than $20.
59.66(2)(a)2.
2. In counties with a population of 750,000 or more, the treasurer shall distribute to as many community-based newspapers as possible, that are published in the county, a copy of a notice that is described in subd.
1g. The treasurer shall distribute these copies of notices at the same time that he or she causes the notices to be published.
59.66(2)(am)
(am) Any money or security of which the treasurer has taken possession or control under par.
(a) and has had in his or her possession or control for more than one year shall, to the extent possible, be deposited in the county's general revenue fund. Money or security that is deposited under this paragraph may remain in the county's general revenue fund or may be used by the county until the money or security is paid or delivered to its owner, or becomes the property of the county, under par.
(b).
59.66(2)(b)
(b) If within 10 years from the time any such money or security is delivered to the treasurer the owner of the money or security proves to the satisfaction of the treasurer the owner's right to the possession of the money or security, it shall be paid or delivered to the owner. If no such proof is made, then at the end of the 10-year period the money or property shall become the property of the county. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to deprive the owner of any such property of the owner's right to proceed by court action for the recovery of such money or security from the treasurer.
59.66(2)(c)
(c) Any person violating this subsection shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200 or imprisoned for not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months.
59.66(3)
(3)
Disposition of unclaimed personal property other than money or securities held by county institutions, coroners, medical examiners, or sheriffs. All personal property other than money or securities of a deceased person who at the time of his or her death is a patient at any county institution or whose body is taken in charge by the coroner or medical examiner shall be preserved by the superintendent of the institution, the coroner, or the medical examiner for one year unless the property is claimed sooner by a person having the legal right to the property. Annually on July 1 the superintendent, coroner, or medical examiner shall make a verified written report listing all personal property which has remained in that person's custody for one year without being claimed and giving all facts as to ownership of the property as that person's records contain. The superintendent, coroner, or medical examiner shall file the report with the sheriff of the county and deliver the property to the sheriff, who shall issue a receipt for the property. Thereupon the superintendent, coroner, or medical examiner shall be discharged from further liability for the property, title to which shall then vest in the county. Any property which is left at the county jail for a period of one year after the prisoner has been discharged, transferred, or committed and any property, found or stolen, which comes into the hands of the sheriff and in any case remains unclaimed for a period of one year, shall be sold as prescribed in this subsection. The sheriff shall, on or before August 1 annually, post a notice in 3 public places in the county, briefly describing the property and stating that the sheriff will sell the property at public auction on a certain date and at a specified physical location or Internet site, which auction shall be held accordingly. Any of the property which is not disposed of at the auction shall be sold for the best price obtainable, and if the property cannot be disposed of by sale, shall be destroyed in the presence of the sheriff. The sheriff shall, on or before September 1 annually, remit the proceeds of the auction or general sale to the treasurer and shall file a verified report of the sheriff's action in connection therewith. The proceeds shall become a part of the general fund of the county.
59.66 Annotation
A law enforcement agency may not retain unclaimed contraband money for its own use. In the absence of an asset forfeiture proceeding initiated by the state or a judicial determination that the money constitutes contraband, a local law enforcement agency should dispose of the money as unclaimed property under sub. (2).
OAG 9-09.
LAND USE, INFORMATION AND REGULATION,
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SURVEYS,
PLANNING AND ZONING
59.69
59.69
Planning and zoning authority. 59.69(1)(1)
Purpose. It is the purpose of this section to promote the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare; to encourage planned and orderly land use development; to protect property values and the property tax base; to permit the careful planning and efficient maintenance of highway systems; to ensure adequate highway, utility, health, educational and recreational facilities; to recognize the needs of agriculture, forestry, industry and business in future growth; to encourage uses of land and other natural resources which are in accordance with their character and adaptability; to provide adequate light and air, including access to sunlight for solar collectors and to wind for wind energy systems; to encourage the protection of groundwater resources; to preserve wetlands; to conserve soil, water and forest resources; to protect the beauty and amenities of landscape and man-made developments; to provide healthy surroundings for family life; and to promote the efficient and economical use of public funds. To accomplish this purpose the board may plan for the physical development and zoning of territory within the county as set forth in this section and shall incorporate therein the master plan adopted under s.
62.23 (2) or
(3) and the official map of any city or village in the county adopted under s.
62.23 (6).
59.69(2)
(2)
Planning and zoning agency or commission. 59.69(2)(a)1.1. Except as provided under subd.
2., the board may create a planning and zoning committee as a county board agency or may create a planning and zoning commission consisting wholly or partially of persons who are not members of the board, designated the county zoning agency. In lieu of creating a committee or commission for this purpose, the board may designate a previously established committee or commission as the county zoning agency, authorized to act in all matters pertaining to county planning and zoning.
59.69(2)(a)2.
2. If the board in a county with a county executive authorizes the creation of a county planning and zoning commission, designated the county zoning agency, the county executive shall appoint the commission, subject to confirmation by the board.
59.69(2)(a)3.
3. If a county planning and zoning commission is created under subd.
2., the county executive may appoint, for staggered 3-year terms, 2 alternate members of the commission, who are subject to confirmation by the board. Annually, the county executive shall designate one of the alternate members as first alternate and the other as 2nd alternate. The first alternate shall act, with full power, only when a member of the commission refuses to vote because of a conflict of interest or when a member is absent. The 2nd alternate shall act only when the first alternate refuses to vote because of a conflict of interest or is absent, or if more than one member of the commission refuses to vote because of a conflict of interest or is absent.
59.69(2)(b)
(b) From its members, the county zoning agency shall elect a chairperson whose term shall be for 2 years, and the county zoning agency may create and fill other offices.
59.69(2)(bm)
(bm) The head of the county zoning agency appointed under sub.
(10) (b) 2. shall have the administrative powers and duties specified for the county zoning agency under this section, and the county zoning agency shall be only a policy-making body determining the broad outlines and principles governing such administrative powers and duties and shall be a quasi-judicial body with decision-making power that includes but is not limited to conditional use, planned unit development and rezoning. The building inspector shall enforce all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations under this section.
59.69(2)(bs)
(bs) As part of its approval process for granting a conditional use permit under this section, a county may not impose on a permit applicant a requirement that is expressly preempted by federal or state law.
59.69(2)(c)
(c) Subject to change by the board, the county zoning agency may adopt such rules and regulations governing its procedure as it considers necessary or advisable. The county zoning agency shall keep a record of its planning and zoning studies, its resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations.
59.69(2)(cm)
(cm) In addition to the members who serve on, or are appointed to, a planning and zoning committee, commission, or agency under par.
(a), the committee, commission, or agency shall also include, as a nonvoting member, a representative from a military base or installation, with at least 200 assigned military personnel or that contains at least 2,000 acres, that is located in the county, if the base's or installation's commanding officer appoints such a representative.
59.69(2)(d)
(d) The county may accept, review and expend funds, grants and services and may contract with respect thereto and may provide such information and reports as may be necessary to secure such financial aid and services, and within such funds as may be made available, the county zoning agency may employ, or contract for the services of, such professional planning technicians and staff as are considered necessary for the discharge of the duties and responsibilities of the county zoning agency.
59.69(2)(e)
(e) Wherever a public hearing is specified under this section, the hearing shall be conducted by the county zoning agency in the county courthouse or in such other appropriate place as may be selected by the county zoning agency. The county zoning agency shall give notice of the public hearing by publication in the county as a class 2 notice under ch.
985, and shall consider any comments made, or submitted by, the commanding officer, or the officer's designee, of a military base or installation, with at least 200 assigned military personnel or that contains at least 2,000 acres, that is located in or near the county.
59.69(2)(f)
(f) Whenever a county development plan, part thereof or amendment thereto is adopted by, or a zoning ordinance or amendment thereto is enacted by, the board, a duplicate copy shall be certified by the clerk and sent to the municipal clerks of the municipalities affected thereby, and also to the commanding officer, or the officer's designee, of any military base or installation, with at least 200 assigned military personnel or that contains at least 2,000 acres, that is located in or near the county.
59.69(2)(g)
(g) Neither the board nor the county zoning agency may condition or withhold approval of a permit under this section based upon the property owner entering into a contract, or discontinuing, modifying, extending, or renewing any contract, with a 3rd party under which the 3rd party is engaging in a lawful use of the property.
59.69(3)
(3)
The county development plan. 59.69(3)(a)
(a) The county zoning agency may direct the preparation of a county development plan or parts of the plan for the physical development of the unincorporated territory within the county and areas within incorporated jurisdictions whose governing bodies by resolution agree to having their areas included in the county's development plan. The plan may be adopted in whole or in part and may be amended by the board and endorsed by the governing bodies of incorporated jurisdictions included in the plan. The county development plan, in whole or in part, in its original form or as amended, is hereafter referred to as the development plan. To the extent that the development plan applies to unincorporated areas of a county with the population described in s.
60.23 (34), it applies only to those unincorporated areas that are subject to county zoning. Beginning on January 1, 2010, or, if the county is exempt under s.
66.1001 (3m), the date under s.
66.1001 (3m) (b), if the county engages in any program or action described in s.
66.1001 (3), the development plan shall contain at least all of the elements specified in s.
66.1001 (2).
59.69(3)(b)
(b) The development plan shall include the master plan, if any, of any city or village, that was adopted under s.
62.23 (2) or
(3) and the official map, if any, of such city or village, that was adopted under s.
62.23 (6) in the county, without change. In counties with a population of at least 485,000, the development plan shall also include, and integrate, the master plan and the official map of a town that was adopted under s.
60.62 (6) (a) or
(b), without change.
59.69(3)(c)
(c) The development plan may be in the form of descriptive material, reports, charts, diagrams or maps. Each element of the development plan shall describe its relationship to other elements of the plan and to statements of goals, objectives, principles, policies or standards.
59.69(3)(d)
(d) The county zoning agency shall hold a public hearing on the development plan before approving it. After approval of the plan the county zoning agency shall submit the plan to the board for its approval and adoption. The plan shall be adopted by resolution and when adopted it shall be certified as provided in sub.
(2) (f). The development plan shall serve as a guide for public and private actions and decisions to assure the development of public and private property in appropriate relationships.
59.69(3)(e)
(e) Except for a town that has adopted a master plan and official map as described in par.
(b), a master plan adopted under s.
62.23 (2) and
(3) and an official map that is established under s.
62.23 (6) shall control in unincorporated territory in a county affected thereby, whether or not such action occurs before the adoption of a development plan.
59.69(4)
(4)
Extent of power. For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety and general welfare the board may by ordinance effective within the areas within such county outside the limits of incorporated villages and cities establish districts of such number, shape and area, and adopt such regulations for each such district as the board considers best suited to carry out the purposes of this section. The board may establish mixed-use districts that contain any combination of uses, such as industrial, commercial, public, or residential uses, in a compact urban form. The board may not enact a development moratorium, as defined in s.
66.1002 (1) (b), under this section or s.
59.03, by acting under ch.
236, or by acting under any other law, except that this prohibition does not limit any authority of the board to impose a moratorium that is not a development moratorium. The powers granted by this section shall be exercised through an ordinance which may, subject to sub.
(4e), determine, establish, regulate and restrict:
59.69(4)(a)
(a) The areas within which agriculture, forestry, industry, mining, trades, business and recreation may be conducted, except that no ordinance enacted under this subsection may prohibit forestry operations that are in accordance with generally accepted forestry management practices, as defined under s.
823.075 (1) (d).
59.69(4)(b)
(b) The areas in which residential uses may be regulated or prohibited.
59.69(4)(c)
(c) The areas in and along, or in or along, natural watercourses, channels, streams and creeks in which trades or industries, filling or dumping, erection of structures and the location of buildings may be prohibited or restricted.
59.69(4)(d)
(d) Trailer or tourist camps, motels, and manufactured and mobile home communities.
59.69(4)(e)
(e) Designate certain areas, uses or purposes which may be subjected to special regulation.
59.69(4)(f)
(f) The location of buildings and structures that are designed for specific uses and designation of uses for which buildings and structures may not be used or altered.
59.69(4)(g)
(g) The location, height, bulk, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures.
59.69(4)(k)
(k) The percentage of a lot which may be occupied, size of yards, courts and other open spaces.
59.69(4)(L)
(L) Places, structures or objects with a special character, historic interest, aesthetic interest or other significant value, historic landmarks and historic districts.
59.69(4c)
(4c)
Construction site ordinance limits. Except as provided in s.
101.1206 (5m), an ordinance that is enacted under sub.
(4) may only include provisions that are related to construction site erosion control if those provisions are limited to sites described in s.
281.33 (3) (a) 1. a. and
b. 59.69(4d)
(4d)
Antenna facilities. The board may not enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution on or after May 6, 1994, or continue to enforce an ordinance or resolution on or after May 6, 1994, that affects satellite antennas with a diameter of 2 feet or less unless one of the following applies:
59.69(4d)(a)
(a) The ordinance or resolution has a reasonable and clearly defined aesthetic or public health or safety objective.
59.69(4d)(b)
(b) The ordinance or resolution does not impose an unreasonable limitation on, or prevent, the reception of satellite-delivered signals by a satellite antenna with a diameter of 2 feet or less.
59.69(4d)(c)
(c) The ordinance or resolution does not impose costs on a user of a satellite antenna with a diameter of 2 feet or less that exceed 10 percent of the purchase price and installation fee of the antenna and associated equipment.
59.69(4e)
(4e)
Migrant labor camps. The board may not enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution that interferes with any of the following:
59.69(4e)(a)
(a) Any repair or expansion of migrant labor camps, as defined in s.
103.90 (3). An ordinance or resolution of the county that is in effect on September 1, 2001, and that interferes with any construction, repair, or expansion of migrant labor camps is void.
59.69(4e)(b)
(b) The construction of new migrant labor camps, as defined in s.
103.90 (3), that are built on or after September 1, 2001, on property that is adjacent to a food processing plant, as defined in s.
97.29 (1) (h), or on property owned by a producer of vegetables, as defined in s.
100.235 (1) (g), if the camp is located on or contiguous to property on which vegetables are produced or adjacent to land on which the producer resides.
59.69(4f)
(4f)
Amateur radio antennas. The board may not enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution on or after April 17, 2002, or continue to enforce an ordinance or resolution on or after April 17, 2002, that affects the placement, screening, or height of antennas, or antenna support structures, that are used for amateur radio communications unless all of the following apply:
59.69(4f)(a)
(a) The ordinance or resolution has a reasonable and clearly defined aesthetic, public health, or safety objective, and represents the minimum practical regulation that is necessary to accomplish the objectives.
59.69(4f)(b)
(b) The ordinance or resolution reasonably accommodates amateur radio communications.
59.69(4g)
(4g)
Airport areas. In a county which has created a county zoning agency under sub.
(2) (a), the county's development plan shall include the location of any part of an airport, as defined in s.
62.23 (6) (am) 1. a., that is located in the county and of any part of an airport affected area, as defined in s.
62.23 (6) (am) 1. b., that is located in the county.
59.69(4h)(a)2.
2. “Payday lender" means a business, owned by a licensee, that makes payday loans.
59.69(4h)(b)
(b)
Limits on locations of payday lenders. Except as provided in par.
(c), no payday lender may operate in a county unless it receives a permit to do so from the county zoning agency, and the county zoning agency may not issue a permit to a payday lender if any of the following applies:
59.69(4h)(b)1.
1. The payday lender would be located within 1,500 feet of another payday lender.
59.69(4h)(b)2.
2. The payday lender would be located within 150 feet of a single-family or 2-family residential zoning district.
59.69(4h)(c)1.1. Paragraph
(b) only applies in the unincorporated parts of the county which have not adopted a zoning ordinance as authorized under s.
60.62 (1).
59.69(4h)(c)2.
2. A county may regulate payday lenders by enacting a zoning ordinance that contains provisions that are more strict than those specified in par.
(b).
59.69(4h)(c)3.
3. If a county has enacted an ordinance regulating payday lenders that is in effect on January 1, 2011, the ordinance may continue to apply and the county may continue to enforce the ordinance, but only if the ordinance is at least as restrictive as the provisions of par.
(b).
59.69(4h)(c)4.
4. Notwithstanding the provisions of subd.
3., if a payday lender that is doing business on January 1, 2011, from a location that does not comply with the provisions of par.
(b), the payday lender may continue to operate from that location notwithstanding the provisions of par.
(b).
59.69(4m)(a)(a) Subject to pars.
(b) and
(bm), a county, as an exercise of its zoning and police powers for the purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the community and of the state, may regulate by ordinance any place, structure or object with a special character, historic interest, aesthetic interest or other significant value, for the purpose of preserving the place, structure or object and its significant characteristics. Subject to pars.
(b),
(bm), and
(c), the county may create a landmarks commission to designate historic landmarks and establish historic districts. Subject to pars.
(b) and
(bm), the county may regulate all historic landmarks and all property within each historic district to preserve the historic landmarks and property within the district and the character of the district.
59.69(4m)(b)
(b) Before the county designates a historic landmark or establishes a historic district, the county shall hold a public hearing. If the county proposes to designate a place, structure, or object as a historic landmark or establish a historic district that includes a place, structure, or object, the county shall, by 1st class mail, notify the owner of the place, structure, or object of the determination and of the time and place of the public hearing on the determination.
59.69(4m)(bm)
(bm) In the repair or replacement of a property that is designated as a historic landmark or included within a historic district or neighborhood conservation district under this subsection, a county shall permit an owner to use materials that are similar in design, color, scale, architectural appearance, and other visual qualities.
59.69(4m)(c)
(c) An owner of property that is affected by a decision of a county landmarks commission may appeal the decision to the board. The board may overturn a decision of the commission by a majority vote of the board.
59.69(5)
(5)
Formation of zoning ordinance; procedure. 59.69(5)(a)
(a) When the county zoning agency has completed a draft of a proposed zoning ordinance, it shall hold a public hearing thereon, following publication in the county of a class 2 notice, under ch.
985. If the proposed ordinance has the effect of changing the allowable use of any property, the notice shall include either a map showing the property affected by the ordinance or a description of the property affected by the ordinance and a statement that a map may be obtained from the zoning agency. After such hearing the agency may make such revisions in the draft as it considers necessary, or it may submit the draft without revision to the board with recommendations for adoption. Proof of publication of the notice of the public hearing held by such agency shall be attached to its report to the board.
59.69(5)(b)
(b) When the draft of the ordinance, recommended for enactment by the zoning agency, is received by the board, it may enact the ordinance as submitted, or reject it, or return it to the agency with such recommendations as the board may see fit to make. In the event of such return subsequent procedure by the agency shall be as if the agency were acting under the original directions. When enacted, a copy of the ordinance shall be submitted by the clerk to each town clerk, under par.
(g), for consideration by the town board.
59.69(5)(c)
(c) A county ordinance enacted under this section shall not be effective in any town until it has been approved by the town board. If the town board approves an ordinance enacted by the county board, under this section, a certified copy of the approving resolution attached to one of the copies of such ordinance submitted to the town board shall promptly be filed with the county clerk by the town. The ordinance shall become effective in the town as of the date of the filing, which filing shall be recorded by the county clerk in the clerk's office, reported to the town board and the county board, and printed in the proceedings of the county board. The ordinance shall supersede any prior town ordinance in conflict therewith or which is concerned with zoning, except as provided by s.
60.62. A town board may withdraw from coverage of a county zoning ordinance as provided under s.
60.23 (34).
59.69(5)(d)
(d) The board may by a single ordinance repeal an existing county zoning ordinance and reenact a comprehensive revision thereto in accordance with this section. “Comprehensive revision", in this paragraph, means a complete rewriting of an existing zoning ordinance which changes numerous zoning provisions and alters or adds zoning districts. The comprehensive revision may provide that the existing ordinance shall remain in effect in a town for a period of up to one year or until the comprehensive revision is approved by the town board, whichever period is shorter. If the town board fails to approve the comprehensive revision within a year neither the existing ordinance nor the comprehensive revision shall be in force in that town. Any repeal and reenactment prior to November 12, 1965, which would be valid under this paragraph is hereby validated.
59.69(5)(e)
(e) The board may amend an ordinance or change the district boundaries. The procedure for such amendments or changes is as follows:
59.69(5)(e)1.
1. A petition for amendment of a county zoning ordinance may be made by a property owner in the area to be affected by the amendment, by the town board of any town in which the ordinance is in effect; by any member of the board or by the agency designated by the board to consider county zoning matters as provided in sub.
(2) (a). The petition shall be filed with the clerk who shall immediately refer it to the county zoning agency for its consideration, report and recommendations. Immediate notice of the petition shall be sent to the county supervisor of any affected district. A report of all petitions referred under this paragraph shall be made to the county board at its next succeeding meeting.
59.69(5)(e)2.
2. Upon receipt of the petition by the agency it shall call a public hearing on the petition. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication in the county of a class 2 notice, under ch.
985. If an amendment to an ordinance, as described in the petition, has the effect of changing the allowable use of any property, the notice shall include either a map showing the property affected by the amendment or a description of the property affected by the amendment and a statement that a map may be obtained from the zoning agency. A copy of the notice shall be submitted by the clerk under par.
(g) to the town clerk of each town affected by the proposed amendment at least 10 days prior to the date of such hearing. If the petition is for any change in an airport affected area, as defined in s.
62.23 (6) (am) 1. b., the agency shall mail a copy of the notice to the owner or operator of the airport bordered by the airport affected area.
