Seal of Dane County County of Dane
Translate
Site Logo
Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

Review of Chapter 49

Dane County is seeking public input related to Chapter 49: Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Management. Chapter 49 is administered by the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department while the County’s Land Conservation Committee provides oversight through the appeals process outlined in the ordinance.

The purpose of the ordinance is to provide for proper and safe storage, handling, and land application of manure and to reduce the delivery of manure, other waste materials, fertilizers, and sediment to surface waters and groundwater through the use of conservation practices and implementation of the state’s agricultural performance standards and prohibitions. The ordinance was last updated in 2019. The primary programs outlined under the ordinance include:

  • Local incorporation of Wisconsin’s agricultural performance standards and prohibitions
  • Permitting guidelines and requirements for new or substantially altered manure storage facilities
  • Certificate of use program for existing manure storage facilities
  • Permitting guidelines and requirements for winter spreading of manure

Potential Updates

Updates to the ordinance are being considered to address and clarify parts of the ordinance including:

  • Reorganizing the agricultural performance standards and prohibitions to be more clear
  • Removing weblinks from the ordinance as they have a tendency to get outdated or broken
  • Providing additional procedural clarity to the manure storage permitting and certificate of use process
  • Discontinuing the winter spreading permit program to focus on nutrient management planning and implementation

Public Input Opportunities

All public comments received will be aggregated and shared with relevant Dane County Departments, Committees, and Board Supervisors.

Online Form

The public can submit written comments using the form below, open until June 30, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

Provide Comments

 

Public Information Meeting

In addition to the comment form above, Dane County Land & Water Resources Department will host a public informational meeting where individuals can attend and provide either oral or written comments.

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. -  3:00 p.m.
Location: Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center / USDA Service Center, Driftless Room
5201 Fen Oak Drive, Madison, WI 53718

 

Ordinance Info

Purpose & Authority
The purpose of Chapter 49 is to provide for the proper and safe storage, handling, and land application of manure and to reduce the delivery of manure, other waste materials, fertilizers, and sediment to surface waters and groundwater through the use of conservation practices and implementation of the state’s agricultural performance standards and prohibitions. The ordinance is adopted under authority granted by ss. 33.455 and 92.16, Wis. Stats., and s. ATCP 50.56, Wis. Adm. Code.

Jurisdiction
The ordinance applies to the entire geographical area of Dane County.

Ordinance Summary
Information on the current regulations and permitting requirements is available on the Conservation Compliance webpage.

Timeline

1. Public Information Gathering
June 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. - Informational Meeting
Public input accepted through June 30, 2026.

2. Introduction to County Board
June/July 2026

3. Review by Committees and Public Comment
July/August 2026

4. Anticipated Approval by County Board
August/September 2026

5. Anticipated Publication and Enactment
October 2026

Contact

For more information about Chapter 49, please contact:

Amy Piaget, County Conservationist
(608) 212-9172
piaget.amy@danecounty.gov