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Waupaca County enacts wide-ranging zoning amendments affecting farms, campgrounds and accessory uses
Summary
On May 18 the County Board approved major amendments to Chapter 34 (Zoning Ordinance) updating definitions (farm revenue thresholds), accessory structure rules, campgrounds, animal-unit limits, density management and permitted/conditional uses across zoning districts.
Waupaca County supervisors on May 18 approved extensive amendments to the county zoning code (Chapter 34) that revise definitions, clarify accessory uses, and update standards for campgrounds, agricultural accessory uses, animal-unit density and development rights.
Among the changes: the definition of “farm” was clarified to require $6,000 in gross farm revenues in the prior year (or $18,000 over three years); accessory structures and their relationship to principal buildings were clarified (including when accessory structures can and cannot include living quarters); standards for campgrounds and camping resorts were expanded with minimum sizes, parking and sanitation requirements; regulations governing animal husbandry and animal-unit limits on nonfarm/hobby farm lots were added (including a six-chicken limit without a conditional use permit in Rural Residential districts); and density management rules and development-rights clarifications were adopted for several agricultural and rural zoning districts.
The amendments add and modify numerous sections and tables, update conditional-use procedures and clarify long-term outdoor display definitions and junk definitions. The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended the package for County Board consideration; Supervisor Dennis Kussmann moved and Supervisor Lehrer seconded the motion to adopt the amendments, which passed without a negative vote.
Why it matters: the changes affect landowners, farmers, developers and campground operators by altering what uses are permitted, when conditional permits are required, and how development rights and animal units are counted. Local officials said the amendments align county rules with town comprehensive plans and state code references.
Next steps: Planning & Zoning will apply the revised zoning definitions and standards when processing land-use permits, conditional-use applications and Certified Survey Maps.
