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CPZ starts 2026 Chapter 17 zoning-code update outreach; town surveys show mixed interest in county zoning and requests for clearer guidance
Summary
CPZ staff told the ERC they sent surveys to Marathon County towns to inform a comprehensive Chapter 17 zoning-code update due in 2026. Early responses show most participating towns find the code aligns with local goals but non-participating towns cite loss of local control as the main barrier to joining county zoning.
Marathon County Conservation, Planning & Zoning (CPZ) staff updated the Environmental Resource Committee April 29 on outreach for a comprehensive update to Chapter 17 of the Marathon County Code of Ordinances, the county’s zoning code, scheduled for 2026.
Shad Harvey (CPZ) said surveys were mailed in February to all townships eligible to participate in county zoning; as of the ERC meeting CPZ had received a subset of responses and expected more input before drafting final amendments. Of the early respondents among county-zoned towns, roughly 80% reported Chapter 17 aligns with their town’s development goals and 80% rated CPZ’s administration of the code positively. Towns that gave lower administrative ratings cited wind- and solar-related regulation complexity as the source of frustration.
CPZ also surveyed non–county-zoned towns to learn why they do not participate. Common reasons included concerns about loss of local control, residents’ opposition to county zoning, and the perception that county code is better suited for more urban settings than some rural townships.
Harvey outlined potential zoning-code amendments staff are researching for the 2026 update, including: a defined contractor use (to accommodate small on-site businesses that store equipment without requiring a major home-occupation conditional use), simplified special-event references to align with recent large-assembly licensing changes, revised accessory-structure size limits for residential districts, streamlined fence regulations and adjusted sign setbacks and sizes for local roads (state roads retain statutory setbacks). Staff said they will coordinate with the Highway Department on sign setbacks on county roads.
CPZ presented a timeline: May–August 2025 for committee-level discussions and draft amendments, September–October to release a public draft to towns, November modifications based on town comments, and December to present a final draft for ERC and County Board consideration. Harvey noted that when a comprehensive zoning-code revision is adopted, towns must affirmatively sign up for county zoning; that sign-up period gives towns up to a year to join under the revised code.
Ending CPZ will continue collecting town survey responses, refine proposed amendments and return to the ERC with drafts and recommended ordinance text for review before the County Board considers final adoption in late 2025 or early 2026.
