Wisconsin County Completes First Comprehensive Zoning Code Rewrite in 70-Plus Years

Dane County, the second-most populous county in the state of Wisconsin, has completed a three-year process to overhaul its zoning code. It's the first time in 70-plus years of zoning that the country has undertaken a comprehensive overwrite of its zoning.

Jennifer Fetterly reports that towns in the county will have the option to opt out of the new zoning code if they choose. A state law passed in 2015 allows towns to opt out of county zoning codes. Many local counties already opt out, contracting zoning enforcement services to consultants, according to Fetterly.

The rewrite, "modernizes district designations, recognizes recent land use trends, expands economic opportunity for rural residents and continues to protect agricultural and natural resources," according to Fetterly's explanation of the changes.