Zoning Department
Mission Statement
To promote and protect public health, safety and welfare, encourage orderly and sustainable economic growth and development, protect and preserve natural resources and geographic features, and encourage planned and orderly land use based on compatibility thereby safeguarding property values.
Zoning Department Updates
Comprehensive Revision: Shoreland Protection Ordinance
The Zoning Department has completed a comprehensive revision of the Shoreland Protection Ordinance. Due to recent legislation being enacted the Ordinance was no longer compliant with NR 115, the shoreland zoning standards adopted by the State of Wisconsin. The final draft of the Shoreland Protection Ordinance has been reviewed and approved by the WI DNR for adoption by Buffalo County.
An initial Public Hearing for public comment before the Land Use Committee is scheduled for February 11, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. in the third floor County Board Room at the Buffalo County Courthouse in Alma, Wisconsin, to solicit comments on the proposed comprehensive revision of the Ordinance. Written comments may also be submitted to the zoning department via mail or email.
It is anticipated that the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of the Ordinance on March 28, 2022, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.
The Shoreland Protection Ordinance is posted below for your review.
Shoreland Protection Ordinance- Final Draft
Additional reading material:
Recent Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Zoning Ordinance Amendment- Ordinance # 19-08-01
Zoning Department Annual Reports
Ordinances
Other ordinances administered within the Department as stand-alone ordinances include:
- Uniform Addressing Ordinance
- Uniform Dwelling Code Ordinance
- Wind Energy Facility Ordinance
- Assemblage Ordinance
- Subdivision Ordinance
- Land Division Ordinance
The State of Wisconsin has mandated that counties are responsible for the administration of several State Statutes that have local as well as more far reaching land use considerations and effects. Those Statutes/Ordinances include:
Land Use Permit Applications
Permit Applications
- Administrative Conditional Use Permit Application
- Certified Survey Map Review Application
- Conditional Use Permit Application
- Conditional Use Permit Application - Nonmetallic Mining Only
- Driveway Permit Application
- Private Drive Name Approval Form
- Rezone Application
- Special Exception Application
- Town Road Name Approval
- Uniform Address Number Application
- Variance Application Information
- Variance Application
- Zoning Permit Application
Zoning Permit Application Fees
Permit Fee Schedule
Sanitary Permit Applications
For Sanitary Program Information
Contact the Zoning Specialist
608-685-6265
Permit Applications
- Change of Plumber Form
- Holding Tank Agreement
- Holding Tank Restrictive Covenant (<160 gpd use)
- Holding Tank Servicing Contract
- Modification/Repair Permit Application
- Non-Plumbing Permit Application
- POWTS Certification of Inspection Form
- Reconnect Permit Application
- State Sanitary Permit Application
Wisconsin Loan & Grant Information
CDBG Home Repair Loan Brochure
USDA Rural Housing Loan
Additional Resources
Plumbers/Pumpers/Soil Testers
Surveyors
Conditional Use / Variance and Rezone Applications
Applicants seeking a Conditional Use Permit*, Variance, Special Exception Permit or Rezone are required to present their proposal and permit application to the appropriate Town Board within which the property and proposed use is located.
Following is the link to the required form: Towns Acknowledgement Form
The Zoning Department will not place the application on the Board of Adjustment agenda until the applicant fulfills this requirement and the form is returned to the Zoning Department.
Town Zoning District Maps
Click on a Town link below to open and download a map.