The Waupaca City Planning Commission on Nov. 5 recommended that the City Council adopt Ordinance 17-2025, which clarifies how agricultural accessory buildings are treated under the city's building and zoning codes.

Juliana Stosz, community and economic development director, told commissioners the ordinance amends Chapter 14 of the building code and Chapter 17 of the zoning code to ensure consistent interpretation. She said, "in accordance with Wisconsin state statute, agricultural outbuildings are not subject to the Commercial Building Code unlike other commercial operation commercial buildings," and staff would, instead, require zoning review to confirm the property is used for a commercial agricultural purpose before any permit waiver is issued.

A commissioner asked if a waiver from the building-permit requirement would remove the obligation to conform to building codes. Stosz replied the waiver process follows state statute and is written to ensure applicants contact the city and confirm they meet the agricultural-use requirements before a written waiver is issued by the building inspector.

Commissioners approved a motion to recommend the ordinance to the City Council by voice vote.

If council adopts the ordinance, staff said it will also adopt a local definition of "agricultural structure" to clarify how accessory farm buildings are reviewed and to align zoning district standards with state law and local practice.