Senate Bill 472
Certain shoreland zoning standards and ordinances that regulate the repair and expansion of nonconforming structures
Topics: Natural Resources, Department of: Administration, Shoreland zoning
Became law
The governor signed it on Apr 3, 2012. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Feb 14, 2012
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Mar 13, 2012
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed 53 to 28
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2011 Wisconsin Act 170
Latest entry in the official record, Apr 5, 2012: “Published 4-16-2012”
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Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
What it does
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Under current law, a county must enact a shoreland zoning ordinance for all shorelands in its unincorporated area and the ordinance must meet shoreland zoning standards established by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by rule. Current law defines a shoreland to be an area within a certain distance from the edge of a navigable water. Current law also specifies that, if a shoreland area is annexed by a city or village (annexing municipality) or is part of a town that incorporates as a city or village (incorporated municipality), then, with certain exceptions, the county shoreland zoning ordinance continues in effect and must be enforced by the annexing or incorporated municipality. The exceptions in current law allow the annexing or incorporated municipality to enforce its own zoning ordinance with respect to shorelands if the ordinance complies with shoreland zoning standards that are at least as restrictive as the county shoreland zoning ordinance.
This bill prohibits a county from enacting, and prohibits a county, city, or village from enforcing, any provision in a county shoreland zoning ordinance that regulates the use, location, maintenance, expansion, replacement, or relocation of a nonconforming structure if that provision is more restrictive than the shoreland zoning standards for nonconforming structures promulgated by DNR. The prohibition under the bill also applies to a shoreland zoning ordinance enacted by an annexing or incorporated municipality. The bill defines a nonconforming structure as a dwelling or building that does not conform with a county shoreland zoning ordinance, other than an ordinance regulating a nonconforming use, but that lawfully existed before the county shoreland zoning ordinance was enacted.
Read the full summary Show less
The bill also provides that DNR may not establish a shoreland zoning standard, and a county may not enact or enforce a shoreland zoning ordinance, that prohibits the construction of a structure or building on certain lots, parcels, or tracts (lots).
Under the bill, a shoreland zoning standard or ordinance may not prohibit the construction of a structure or a building on a lot that does not meet minimum area and width requirements if the lot met those requirements when the lot was originally created or if there was no shoreland zoning standard or ordinance in effect that established minimum area and width requirements when the lot was originally created.
Generally under current law, zoning restrictions that would otherwise apply to a damaged or destroyed nonconforming structure may not prohibit, subject to a number of conditions, the restoration of the structure if it will be restored to the size, location, and use it had before the damage or destruction occurred, unless the size must be larger to comply with state or federal requirements. In addition, and subject to the same conditions, the restrictions in the zoning ordinance may not impose limits on the costs of the repair, reconstruction, or improvement of the structure. The conditions that apply to the restrictions in the zoning ordinance are as follows:
1. The structure must have been damaged or destroyed after March 1, 2006.
2. The structure must have been damaged or destroyed by violent wind, vandalism, fire, flood, ice, snow, mold, or infestation.
Under this bill, a zoning ordinance may not prohibit, or limit based on cost, the repair, maintenance, reconstruction, renovation, or remodeling of a nonconforming structure in existence on the effective date of a zoning ordinance that relates to that structure.
Who's behind it
2 senators are its . 1 is a Democrat and 1 is a Republican.
7 more lawmakers .
See all 9 names Hide the names
Authors (2)
- Jessica King · Democrat, Senate
- Frank G. Lasee · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (7)
- André Jacque · Republican, Senate
- Michelle Litjens · Republican, Assembly
- John Murtha · Republican, Assembly
- Roger Rivard · Republican, Assembly
- Richard Spanbauer · Republican, Assembly
- Jim Steineke · Republican, Assembly
- Thomas Tiffany · Republican, Senate
What it would cost
State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.
Versions and amendments
Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.
How lawmakers voted
There were 2 votes on this bill.
Senate Committee on Insurance and Housing vote to recommend it
Passed, 4 to 2 · Mar 2, 2012
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage recommended by committee on Insurance and Housing, Ayes 4, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 53 to 28 · Mar 15, 2012 · 12 didn't vote
See how each of the 93 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (53)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (28)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Chris Taylor (D, 76)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
Didn't vote (12)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Tamara Grigsby (D, 18)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 53, Noes 28, Paired 6”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Apr 5, 2012
The new law was published.
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Apr 3, 2012
The governor signed it. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 170.
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Mar 30, 2012
Sent to the governor.
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Mar 15, 2012
The Assembly passed it too, 53 to 28.
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Mar 13, 2012
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.
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Mar 13, 2012
The Assembly received it.
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Mar 13, 2012
The Senate passed it.
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Mar 13, 2012
The Senate adopted it.
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Mar 13, 2012
“Vote by which bill was ordered to a third reading reconsidered” (the official wording)
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Mar 13, 2012
“Motion to reconsider vote by wihch bill was ordered to a third reading offered by Senator Lasee” (the official wording)
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Mar 13, 2012
“Vote by which bill was passed reconsidered, Ayes 17, Noes 16” (the official wording)
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Mar 13, 2012
“Motion to reconsider vote by which bill was passed offered by Senator Lasee” (the official wording)
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Mar 13, 2012
The Senate passed it.
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Mar 13, 2012
The Senate adopted it.
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Mar 2, 2012
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 4 to 2.
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Feb 24, 2012
1 more representative signed on in support.
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Feb 22, 2012
The committee held a public hearing.
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Feb 22, 2012
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Feb 14, 2012
Sent to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Housing.
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Feb 14, 2012
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Lasee and King;Cosponsored by Representatives Tiffany, Steineke, Murtha, Litjens, Rivard and Jacque
- Feb 14, 2012 · Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Insurance and Housing
- Feb 22, 2012 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Feb 22, 2012 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Feb 24, 2012 · Senate
Representative Spanbauer added as a cosponsor
- Mar 2, 2012 · Senate
Report passage recommended by committee on Insurance and Housing, Ayes 4, Noes 2
- Mar 2, 2012 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Mar 5, 2012 · Senate
Senate amendment 1 offered by Senator Lasee
- Mar 12, 2012 · Senate
Placed on calendar 3-13-2012 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Read a second time
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Senate amendment 1 adopted
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Senate amendment 2 offered by Senator Holperin
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Senate amendment 2 adopted
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Read a third time and passed
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Motion to reconsider vote by which bill was passed offered by Senator Lasee
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Vote by which bill was passed reconsidered, Ayes 17, Noes 16
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Motion to reconsider vote by wihch bill was ordered to a third reading offered by Senator Lasee
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Vote by which bill was ordered to a third reading reconsidered
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Motion to reconsider vote by which Senate amendment 2 was adopted offered by Senator Lasee
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Vote by which Senate Amendment 2 was adopted reconsidered
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Senate amendment 2 laid on table
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Read a third time and passed
- Mar 13, 2012 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to committee on Rules
- Mar 13, 2012 · Assembly
Made a special order of business at 9:19 A.M. on 3-14-2012 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 24
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 53, Noes 28, Paired 6
- Mar 15, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 19, 2012 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Mar 28, 2012 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled on 3-28-2012
- Mar 30, 2012 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 3-30-2012
- Apr 3, 2012 · Senate
Report approved by the Governor on 4-2-2012. 2011 Wisconsin Act 170
- Apr 5, 2012 · Senate
Published 4-16-2012
Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote