What are the Permits issued by the Zoning Administrator's office?
The Zoning Administrator should be consulted anytime a change in land use is contemplated, new construction or remodeling is to be undertaken, or when conditional use permits, including home occupation permits, are needed.
What permits are needed for commercial or industrial buildings?
Most commercial buildings are required to have state approved plans prior to the issuance of a building permit by the City of Washburn. State approved plans are identified by a Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) stamp and a letter of conditional approval from the state. If your building falls within the criteria of buildings regulated by the DSPS, the Zoning Administrator cannot issue a building permit until state approved plans have been received.
Can the Zoning Administrator tell me where my lot lines are?
No. If you have a question related to the location of the lot lines of your property, consult a licensed surveyor. The City is not qualified to provide a legal opinion on the location of lot lines. Only a licensed surveyor can provide the locations of lot lines.
My neighbor is undertaking an activity that I believe is contrary to municipal codes and is disturbing my use of my property. How do I resolve the situation?
The City is able to share the permitted practices of the various provisions of municipal codes. The best and most appropriate manner to handle this type of situation is for a discussion of your concerns with your neighbor. The City will resolve such situations if a basis of law can be found for the City's interference. However, relationships between neighbors are often harmed by the City's interference. The best way, and least harmful for personal relationships, is to chat with your neighbor over a cup of coffee or across the fence, and discuss the concern.
Notice to Contractors, Remodelers, Builders, and anyone with a Construction Business*
Only State-Licensed Contractors may obtain a Construction Permit or Utility Connection Permit on behalf of a property owner or manager. Otherwise the property owner or property manager must obtain a permit on their behalf and agree to the cautionary statement on the use of unlicensed contractors.
Contractor businesses in Wisconsin must be registered with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
A contracting business will need the registration to do most types of building construction work, to obtain building permits, to provide bids or contracts, or to work as a subcontractor.
"Comm 5.30 Building contractor. (1) GENERAL. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no person or entity may engage in the construction business or offer to engage in the construction business that affects public buildings, places of employment and one- and two- family dwellings, public swimming pools, and water attractions unless the person or entity holds a registration issued by the department as a registered building contractor."
(b) Paragraph (1.) does not apply to anyone who holds a:
a. A dwelling contractor certification.
b. A dwelling contractor – restricted certification.
c. A manufactured home manufacturer license.
d. A manufactured home dealer license.
e. A manufactured home installer license.
f. An electrical contractor certification.
g. An electrical contractor – restricted certification.
h. An HVAC contractor registration.
i. An elevator contractor license.
or
(2.) A person or entity that works only on real estate or property they own or lease.
*"Construction business" means a trade that installs, alters or repairs any building element, component, material or device that is regulated under the commercial building code, chs. Comm 60 to 66, the uniform dwelling code, chs. Comm 20 to 25, the electrical code, ch. Comm 16, the plumbing code, chs. Comm 81 to 87, or the public swimming pools and water attractions code, ch. Comm 90. The term does not include the delivery of building supplies or materials, or the manufacture of a building product not on the building site."