Signed by Governor Scott Walker

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends shoreline zoning and property regulations.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a county from enacting a development moratorium on rezoning or authorizing any subdivision or other division of land by a certified survey map (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the Department of Natural Resources from enacting a shoreland zoning ordinance that requires an individual to get approval for any maintenance or vertical expansion of a structure that is located in the shoreland setback area, if the maintenance or vertical expansion does not increase the structure’s footprint (Sec. 5 & 6).

• Requires a county shoreland zoning ordinance to authorize the footprint expansion of a structure that is located in the shoreland setback area if the expansion is necessary for the structure to comply with state or federal law (Sec. 8).

• Requires the court to resolve any ambiguity in the meaning of a zoning word or phrase in favor of the free use of private property (Sec. 45).

Full Bill Text