Zoning Administration and
Code Enforcement
The Zoning Administration Office oversees the issuance of all City permits, questions of land use, investigation of code violations and property maintenance and issuance of corrective orders. Primary responsibilities include review of permit applications for compliance with municipal ordinances, issuance of permits and collection of applicable fees, and advising of the Common Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and municipal staff on zoning and planning issues.
All Permit Fees are set by the City’s Fee Schedule. For exact details on fee totals or costs see the Zoning Administrator’s Office.
The new Zoning Map and Zoning Code below took effect April 1, 2017
| City of Washburn Zoning Districts Map |
| City of Washburn Zoning Code |
NOTE: FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PERMIT BEFORE CONSTRUCTION CAN RESULT IN PENALTIES FOR BOTH THE PROPERTY OWNER AND THE CONTRACTOR. THE PROPERTY OWNER WILL BE SUBJECT TO DOUBLE THE PERMIT FEE, AND THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE SUBJECT TO A CITATION TOTALING $452.50 FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE.
PRIMARY CONTACT FOR ALL PERMIT REQUESTS:
Gayla Salmi | Deputy Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcer
Office Location: Public Works Office, 502 W. Bayfield Street, Washburn
Phone: (715) 373-6171
Fax: (715) 373-6148
Email: dpw@cityofwashburn.org
Gayla Salmi | Deputy Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcer
Office Location: Public Works Office, 502 W. Bayfield Street, Washburn
Phone: (715) 373-6171
Fax: (715) 373-6148
Email: dpw@cityofwashburn.org
ZONING ADMINISTRATION CONTACTS:
Scott J. Kluver | Zoning Administrator
Washburn City Hall
Mailing: P.O. Box 638, Washburn, Wisconsin 54891
Office: 119 N. Washington Avenue, Washburn
Phone: (715) 373-6160 ext. 4
Fax: (715) 373-6148
Email: washburnadmin@cityofwashburn.org
Scott J. Kluver | Zoning Administrator
Washburn City Hall
Mailing: P.O. Box 638, Washburn, Wisconsin 54891
Office: 119 N. Washington Avenue, Washburn
Phone: (715) 373-6160 ext. 4
Fax: (715) 373-6148
Email: washburnadmin@cityofwashburn.org
Building/Construction Permit Application
| Construction/Building Permit |
CHickens
Chicken Permits and the Ordinance Governing the Raising of Chickens. THE RAISING OF CHICKENS IS ALLOWED IN THE CITY OF WASHBURN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. Please note that applicants are no longer required to get signatures from adjoining property owners, but must obtain the names and mailing addresses for neighbors within a 100 foot radius for neighbor noticing requirements. This information may be obtained from the Bayfield County Land Information Office. SEE ORDINANCE FOR DETAILS. The number limit of chickens that may be raised on a property are set by zoning district and chicken coop design requirements. Applicants should see the Zoning Administration Office for additional information regarding permitting options.
| chicken permit form.pdf |
Conditional Use Permit
| Conditional Use Permit/Home Occupation Form |
Driveway Permits
DRIVEWAY PERMITS MUST BE OBTAINED BE FOR CONNECTING TO ANY STREET, ALLEY OR PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. DRIVEWAY PERMITS ARE ALSO REQUIRED FOR REPLACING SEGMENTS OF DRIVEWAYS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY.
| Driveway Permit Form |
Fill Permits and the Ordinance Governing Filling Activities
FILL PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR ANY ACTIVITY EXCEEDING 50 CUBIC YARDS. FOR FULL DETAILS ON REQUIREMENTS, SEE THE ORDINANCE OR CONTACT THE ZONING ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.
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SIdewalk Permits
See the Zoning Administrator's Office for a Sidewalk Permit. The City will remove sidewalk and provide sand free of charge for any sidewalk replacement activity.
A PERMIT MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE THE REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT OF ANY SIDEWALK IN THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAY. Sidewalk Permits have no fee, but may require a bond as determined by the Zoning Administrator or Public Works Director. Collected bonds are returned to permit holders if sidewalks are built to City Ordinance specifications.
A PERMIT MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE THE REMOVAL OR REPLACEMENT OF ANY SIDEWALK IN THE CITY'S RIGHT OF WAY. Sidewalk Permits have no fee, but may require a bond as determined by the Zoning Administrator or Public Works Director. Collected bonds are returned to permit holders if sidewalks are built to City Ordinance specifications.
Sign Permit Application
Sign Permits and Ordinances Governing Signs in the City of Washburn.
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Utility Connection Permit
Water and Sewer Utility Connection Permits. See the Zoning Administrator’s Office to obtain an application and further information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Permits issued by the Zoning Administrator's office?
The zoning administrator should be consulted anytime a change in land use is contemplated, new construction or remodeling is to be undertaken, or when conditional use permits (including home occupation permits) are needed.
What permits are needed for commercial or industrial buildings?
Most commercial buildings are required to have state approved plans prior to the issuance of a building permit by the City of Washburn. State approved plans are identified by a Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) stamp and a letter of conditional approval from the state. If your building falls within the criteria of buildings regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), the zoning administrator cannot issue a building permit until state approved plans have been received.
Can the City or its Zoning Administrator tell me where my lot lines are?
No. If you have a question related to the location of the lot lines of your property, consult a licensed surveyor. The City is not qualified to provide a legal opinion on the location of lot lines. Only a licensed surveyor can provide the locations of lot lines.
My neighbor is undertaking an activity that I believe is contrary to municipal codes and is disturbing my use of my property. How do I resolve the situation?
The City is always available to share the permitted practices of the various provisions of municipal codes. The best and most appropriate manner to handle this type of situation is for a discussion of your concerns with your neighbor. The City can, and will, resolve such situations if a basis of law can be found for the City's interference. However relationships between neighbors are often harmed by the City's interference. The best way, and least harmful for personal relationships, is to chat with your neighbor over a cup of coffee or across the fence, and discuss the concern.
Notice To Contractors, Remodelers, Builders, And Anyone With A Construction Business*
Only State-Licensed Contractors may obtain a Construction Permit or Utility Connection Permit on behalf of a property owner or manager. Otherwise the property owner or property manager must obtain a permit on their behalf and agree to the cautionary statement on the use of unlicensed contractors.
Contractor businesses in Wisconsin need to be registered with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
A contracting business will need the registration to do most types of building construction work, to obtain building permits, to provide bids or contracts, or to work as a subcontractor.
"Comm 5.30 Building contractor. (1) GENERAL. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no person or entity may engage in the construction business or offer to engage in the construction business that affects public buildings, places of employment and one- and 2- family dwellings, public swimming pools, and water attractions unless the person or entity holds a registration issued by the department as a registered building contractor."
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to anyone who holds a:
a. A dwelling contractor certification.
b. A dwelling contractor – restricted certification.
c. A manufactured home manufacturer license.
d. A manufactured home dealer license.
e. A manufactured home installer license.
f. An electrical contractor certification.
g. An electrical contractor – restricted certification.
h. An HVAC contractor registration.
i. An elevator contractor license.
or
2. A person or entity that works only on real estate or property they own or lease.
*Construction business" means a trade that installs, alters or repairs any building element, component, material or device that is regulated under the commercial building code, chs. Comm 60 to 66, the uniform dwelling code, chs. Comm 20 to 25, the electrical code, ch. Comm 16, the plumbing code, chs. Comm 81 to 87, or the public swimming pools and water attractions code, ch. Comm 90. The term does not include the delivery of building supplies or materials, or the manufacture of a building product not on the building site."
The zoning administrator should be consulted anytime a change in land use is contemplated, new construction or remodeling is to be undertaken, or when conditional use permits (including home occupation permits) are needed.
What permits are needed for commercial or industrial buildings?
Most commercial buildings are required to have state approved plans prior to the issuance of a building permit by the City of Washburn. State approved plans are identified by a Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) stamp and a letter of conditional approval from the state. If your building falls within the criteria of buildings regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), the zoning administrator cannot issue a building permit until state approved plans have been received.
Can the City or its Zoning Administrator tell me where my lot lines are?
No. If you have a question related to the location of the lot lines of your property, consult a licensed surveyor. The City is not qualified to provide a legal opinion on the location of lot lines. Only a licensed surveyor can provide the locations of lot lines.
My neighbor is undertaking an activity that I believe is contrary to municipal codes and is disturbing my use of my property. How do I resolve the situation?
The City is always available to share the permitted practices of the various provisions of municipal codes. The best and most appropriate manner to handle this type of situation is for a discussion of your concerns with your neighbor. The City can, and will, resolve such situations if a basis of law can be found for the City's interference. However relationships between neighbors are often harmed by the City's interference. The best way, and least harmful for personal relationships, is to chat with your neighbor over a cup of coffee or across the fence, and discuss the concern.
Notice To Contractors, Remodelers, Builders, And Anyone With A Construction Business*
Only State-Licensed Contractors may obtain a Construction Permit or Utility Connection Permit on behalf of a property owner or manager. Otherwise the property owner or property manager must obtain a permit on their behalf and agree to the cautionary statement on the use of unlicensed contractors.
Contractor businesses in Wisconsin need to be registered with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
A contracting business will need the registration to do most types of building construction work, to obtain building permits, to provide bids or contracts, or to work as a subcontractor.
"Comm 5.30 Building contractor. (1) GENERAL. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no person or entity may engage in the construction business or offer to engage in the construction business that affects public buildings, places of employment and one- and 2- family dwellings, public swimming pools, and water attractions unless the person or entity holds a registration issued by the department as a registered building contractor."
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to anyone who holds a:
a. A dwelling contractor certification.
b. A dwelling contractor – restricted certification.
c. A manufactured home manufacturer license.
d. A manufactured home dealer license.
e. A manufactured home installer license.
f. An electrical contractor certification.
g. An electrical contractor – restricted certification.
h. An HVAC contractor registration.
i. An elevator contractor license.
or
2. A person or entity that works only on real estate or property they own or lease.
*Construction business" means a trade that installs, alters or repairs any building element, component, material or device that is regulated under the commercial building code, chs. Comm 60 to 66, the uniform dwelling code, chs. Comm 20 to 25, the electrical code, ch. Comm 16, the plumbing code, chs. Comm 81 to 87, or the public swimming pools and water attractions code, ch. Comm 90. The term does not include the delivery of building supplies or materials, or the manufacture of a building product not on the building site."
