Vilas County Zoning & Planning is resposible for enforcing zoning and land use regulations throught the unincoporated areas of Vilas County, with the exception of areas in the Towns of Lac du Flambeau, Manitowish Waters, and Preque Isle located greater than 1000 feet from a lake, pond or flowage, or 300 feet from a river or stream. For questions regarding specific properties, please contact the appropriate Deputy Zoning Administrator for that town. Click here for a list of Deputy Zoning Administrators.

Forms

Zoning Permit Application
(This form is used for Zoning Permit Application, Demolition Permit Application, and Shoreland Alteration Permit Application)

Note: Additional permits for asbestos and/or lead abatement may be required from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services prior to begining the demolition of a structure. Please click here or check the demolition section of our Solid Waste & Recycling Program Page for contact information.

Note: In certain cases when completing a Vegetative & Stormwater Mitigation Agreement, an affadavit is required to be recorded with the Register of Deeds. Please contact the Planning & Zoning Department for more information.

Documentation of Zoning

Information

The towns of Arbor Vitae, Lac du Flambeau, Land o' Lakes, Manitowish Waters, Presque Isle, and St. Germain have town zoning ordinances and town permits may be required for all projects in these areas. See the links to local government sites below for more information on zoning requirements in these communities.

Vilas County Handouts

Other Agency Handouts

Note: All dry boathouses are subject to regulation by the Vilas County Zoning & Planning Department. Wet boat houses and boat shelters erected over the water are subject to regulation by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Videos

Ordinances

Building Codes

Vilas County Zoning & Planning does not enforce the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling (UDC) or commercial building codes The UDC is enforced by inspectors hired by each town, and the commerical building code is enforced by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Use the contacts below for more information about the UDC or commercial building codes.

Arbor Vitae, Boulder Jct, Cloverland, Conover, Lac du Flambeau, Land o' Lakes, Lincoln, Manitowish Waters, Plum Lake, Presque Isle, Washingtion, Winchester	Phelps, St. Germain, City of Eagle River	Commercial Buildings
RC Inspection Agency 6642 CTH W Winchester, WI 54557 (715) 543-2094 www.rcinspectionagencyllc.com	Baas Inspection Agency 9695 County Road A Alvin, WI 54542 (715) 545-3292 www.baasinspectionagencyllc.com	Wisconsin DSPS Dan Shanahan (715) 661-4049 daniel.shanahan@wisconsin.gov www.dsps.wi.gov

Land Use Planning

Vilas County Zoning & Planning is the agency responsible for countywide comprehensive planning under Wis. Stat. §66.1001. In conjunction with the fifteen local municipalities in Vilas County, and the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission we have adopted the 2010 Comprehensive Plan, which includes the Farmland Preservation Plan.

Vilas County Plans & Maps

For more information about the Vilas County Farmland Preservation Plan, contact the Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Department at (715) 479-3747 or visit www.vilasconservation.org

Town Plans

Arbor Vitae
Boulder Junction
Cloverland
Conover
Lac du Flambeau
Land o' Lakes
Lincoln
Manitowish Waters
Phelps
Plum Lake
Presque Isle
St. Germain
Washington
Winchester

Floodplain Zoning

In 2012, Vilas County adopted the Vilas County Floodplain Zoning Ordinance and was accepted into the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This allows Vilas County property owners to purchase flood insurance from FEMA if they are located in a flood hazard area. It also restricts development in the floodplains to help minimize potential loss of life and property in a flood event. For more information on the NFIP or the floodplain zoning in general, please contact Dave Sadenwasser in the Vilas County Zoning & Planning Department at (715) 479-3734 or dasade@vilascountywi.gov .

A home in the 100 year floodplain has a 26% chance of being flooded at least once during the course of a 30 year mortgage. Click here to learn more.