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Published: March 22, 2011
Author: Peter Conrad
If your pier is larger that six feet wide or has a landing platform larger than six feet by eight feet, you must register the pier by April 1, 2011 in order to be exempt from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ permitting requirements and prevent a potential DNR enforcement action. In 2008, the Wisconsin Legislature changed the law to grandfather existing docks when a pier meets certain length and width requirements. However, to complete the grandfathering process for those piers, they must be registered with the DNR.
To meet the grandfather eligibility requirements, a pier must:
- Have been placed on the water on or before February 6, 2004; and
- Not exceed eight feet wide, except that it may have a loading platform that does exceed the eight foot width provided:
- The
loading platform is located at the lake ward end of the pier.
- The
loading platform is not larger than 300 square feet in area.
- If
the loading platform is 200 square feet or less, the platform may be of
any width.
- If
the platform is more than 200 square feet but not more than 300 square
feet, it may not be any more than 10 feet wide.
Piers that meet the above requirements may be registered on or before April 1, 2011, with the Department of Natural Resources and, accordingly, grandfathered. Piers that do not meet those requirements must obtain a permit from DNR. The pier registration laws may be modified again in the near future; however, there is little likelihood that any changes will take place before the April 1, 2011 deadline. Visit the DNR’s website for a copy of the registration form.
For more information about Wisconsin’s pier laws and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ pier registration process, contact Peter Conrad at 608.260.2483 or pconrad@axley.com.
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