The Vilas County Zoning & Planning Department regulates all development, land use, and land disturbance in unincorporated areas of Vilas County. This includes, but is not limited to, the placement and use of structures; the use of property; filling, grading, and vegetative removal on shorelands; floodplain development; gravel pits and quarries; and wireless communications towers. In addition, the Department also regulates private sewage disposal (septic systems, privies, etc.) countywide. The Department also administers the Vilas County Recycling programs. Click on the tabs above for more detailed information on specific programs.
Please note, some towns may have local ordinances that are more restrictive than Vilas County codes and ordinances. Contact your local town authorities to determine if your project is permitted under local town Ordinances.
Don't forget to contact Digger's Hotline at least three (3) days prior to any land disturbing activity.
Vilas County has moved to the Ascent Permit Management Program for storing and viewing zoning and sanitary permits. This will allow users to see information on all permits on file, and scanned images of all permits issued after June 1, 2016, as well as all other permits issued after January 1, 1985 in the Towns of Arbor Vitae, Cloverland, Conover, Lac du Flambeau, Phelps, Plum Lake, Presque Isle, and Winchester. Click on the links below to access the program or view instructions on how to look up permits.
Click Here to View Permits
Announcements
Agendas & Public Notices
Featured Services
Please visit the Vilas County Zoning Office for a more in-depth listing of services.
Frequently Used Documents
For additional documents, or more detail on Vilas County Zoning & Planning Department Programs, please see the web page for the applicable program or contact the Zoning Office at (715) 479-3620.
Ordinance & Code
Location & Hours
Permits are available at the Vilas County Courthouse or by mail.
Vilas County Courthouse
330 Court St.
Eagle River, WI 54521
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Vilas County Zoning & Planning is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
To reach the Zoning Office: After passing through security, proceed straight ahead down the hallway, around the corner, and down the ramp. You will not need to use any stairs. Proceed straight through the brown double doors. The Zoning Office is the first office on the right, and the Sanitary Office is the second office on the right.
Please contact us at: (715) 479-3620 or zoning@vilascountywi.gov with any general questions, comments or concerns. If you have questions regarding specific properties, please contact the Deputy Zoning Administrator for that town at the addresses below.
Contact Us
Seven staff members serve the Zoning and Sanitary needs of Vilas County residents. If you have questions pertaining to a property or issue in a particular town, please contact the person under whose name the town is listed.
David Sadenwasser
Zoning Administrator
(715) 479-3620
E-mail
Non-Metallic Mining
Solid Waste and Recycling
Subdivision & Condominium Plat Approval
Wireless Communication Towers
Jim Janet
Assistant Zoning Administrator
(715) 479-3623
E-mail
Mitch Buhler
Deputy Zoning Administrator
(715) 479-3734
E-mail
Boulder Junction
Land o' Lakes
Manitowish Waters
Presque Isle
Winchester
Caleb Dammen
Deputy Zoning Administrator
(715) 479-3622
E-mail
Tammy Warwick
Deputy Zoning Administrator
(715) 479-3744
E-mail
Arbor Vitae
Lac du Flambeau
Plum Lake
St. Germain
Vacant
Deputy Zoning Administrator
(715) 479-3620
E-mail
Kimberley Kaitchuck
Sanitary Secretary
(715) 479-3619
E-mail
Sanitary Maintenance Cards
Maintenance Program Search
Sanitary Permit Copies
Bridgette Nutter
Administrative Secretary
(715) 479-3620
E-mail
General Zoning Questions
Zoning Permit Copies
Board of Adjustment