Is my property within a Shoreland, Riverway, or Floodplain Overlay District? What is the purpose of these Overlay Districts?

Shoreland Overlay District 

Your property is within the Shoreland Overlay district if it is within the following distances from the ordinary high water mark of navigable waters (whichever distance is greater):

  1. One thousand (1,000) feet from a lake, pond, or flowage; and
  2. Three hundred (300) feet from a river or stream or to the landward side of the floodplain.

To determine if your property is within a Shoreland Overlay District contact the us by email at CDD@sccwi.gov with your name, contact information, property address or parcel ID number, and question. We will contact you regarding your question. 

The purpose of the Shoreland Overlay District is to promote the public health, safety, convenience, and welfare, and promote and protect the public trust in navigable waters by:

  1. Further the maintenance of safe and healthy conditions and preventing and controlling water pollution.
  2. Protecting spawning grounds, fish, aquatic life, and wildlife habitat.
  3. Controlling development, placement of structures, and land uses.
  4. Preserving and restoring shoreland vegetation and natural scenic beauty.
  5. Preventing flood damage.

 

Riverway Overlay District

You can find if your property is within the Riverway District on St. Croix County's Interactive Zoning Map. Under the Layer List menu, check the box for the “Riverway Zoning” layer.

The purpose of the Riverway Overlay District is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by:

  1. Reducing the adverse effects of overcrowding and poorly planned shoreline and bluff area development.
  2. Preventing soil erosion and pollution and contamination of surface water and groundwater.
  3. Providing sufficient space on lots for sanitary facilities.
  4. Minimizing flood damage.
  5. Maintaining property values.
  6. Preserving and maintaining the exceptional scenic, cultural, and natural characteristics of the water and related land of the Lower St. Croix Riverway in a manner consistent with the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (P.L. 90-542), the Federal Lower St. Croix River Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-560) and the Wisconsin Lower St. Croix River Act (Wisconsin Statute § 30.27).


Floodplain Overlay District

You can find if your property is within the Floodplain District on St. Croix County's Interactive Zoning Map. Under the Layer List menu, check the box for the “Flood Plain & Base Flood Elevation” layer.

This ordinance is intended to regulate floodplain development to:

  1. Protect life, health, and property.
  2. Minimize expenditures of public funds for flood control projects.
  3. Minimize development in a floodplain which would obstruct flood flows and decrease the storage capacity of the floodplain.
  4. Minimize rescue and relief efforts undertaken at the expense of the taxpayers.
  5. Minimize business interruptions and other economic disruptions.
  6. Minimize damage to public facilities in the floodplain.
  7. Broaden the property tax base of the County by enhancing property values.
  8. Discourage the victimization of unwary home and land buyers.
  9. Minimize the occurrence of future flood blight areas in the floodplain.
  10. Prevent increases in flood heights that could increase flood damage and result in conflicts between property owners.
  11. Discourage development in a floodplain if there is any practicable alternative to locate the activity, use, or structure outside of the floodplain.

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Show All Answers

1. What is the purpose of the Zoning Code?
2. Does St. Croix County zoning apply to my property?
3. What is my property zoning classification? Where can I find a zoning map?
4. Where can I find the County’s Zoning Code?
5. What are the structure setbacks for my property?
6. Where can I find my property documents, plat maps, certified survey maps, easements, deeds, and affidavits?
7. What can I build? What use is allowed in my zoning?
8. Do I need a permit for the use or development of my property?
9. How do I apply for a Land Use Permit, Conditional Use Permit, Variance, Rezoning, Setback Waiver, and Land Division?
10. Is my property within a Shoreland, Riverway, or Floodplain Overlay District? What is the purpose of these Overlay Districts?
11. I want to build/develop on my property and it’s within a Shoreland, Riverway, and/or Floodplain Overlay District, who should I contact?
12. Where can I find my sanitation records? Has there been a soil test already been done on the property?
13. My sanitary system is failing, who should I contact?
14. Why am I getting this postcard to have my septic pumped?
15. How many animals can I have on my property?
16. Does St. Croix County issue Building Permits?
17. My question wasn’t answered. Who can I ask?