Erosion and uncontrolled stormwater runoff can have adverse impacts on areas located around shoreland or wetlands. To reduce these impacts, a Shoreland Mitigation Permit may be required for specific land disturbing activities occurring within the Shoreland Zone, per Dane County Ordinance Chapter 11 (PDF).
If your project is located within the Shoreland Zone, we recommend that you contact Dane County Zoning to determine if permits are required.
A Shoreland Mitigation Permit may be required if your project is located within the Shoreland Zone (see below). You can use the DCiMap online mapping application to help determine the distance your project is from wetlands, waterways, and floodplains.
If your project is located within the Shoreland Zone, contact Dane County Zoning to determine if a Shoreland Zoning Permit (from their office) or Shoreland Mitigation Permit (from our office) is required. You will receive written confirmation of their decision.
The Shoreland Zone includes all lands within:
Permit application form(s):
Additional forms that may need to be submitted with your application are included below:
Water Resource Engineering staff review Erosion Control & Shoreland Erosion Control, Shoreland Mitigation, and Stormwater Management Permits. Digital submittals for these permits can be submitted via:
Depending on the municipality in which your proposed project is located, you may need to also apply for one of the permits listed in the next section or with your local municipality. View this document for information on where to apply given your location: Where to Apply for a Permit (PDF)
How do I know if my project requires a Shoreland Mitigation Permit?
If your project is located within 300 feet of a navigable waterway (i.e., lake, pond, river, or stream) you will need to contact Dane County Zoning for a Shoreland Zoning Permit. Dane County Zoning staff will determine whether or not the project requires a Shoreland Mitigation Permit. You will receive written confirmation of their determination. You can use DCiMap to determine if your project is located within 300 feet of a navigable waterway.
Do I need to hire a professional engineer to prepare a shoreland mitigation permit?
In most cases, yes. The stormwater management component of the mitigation permit must be designed by a professional engineer licensed in Wisconsin. Certain exemptions do apply for projects that do not require the stormwater management performance standards to be met. It is recommended that you work with a qualified professional that specializes in native plantings or shoreland restoration when buffer restoration is required.
Are retaining walls or terraces allowed within the vegetative buffer zone?
The use of native vegetation, matting and biological stabilization options are preferred. However, a boulder or rock retaining wall and/or terraces may be allowed in cases where it is shown to be structurally necessary for stabilization of a steep slope. A variance from the vegetative buffer standard may be necessary.
How long do I have to establish the buffer?
The buffer must meet the design standards and dimensional requirements within 3 years of permit issuance. The vegetative buffer plan should identify a specific planting schedule based on the methods of establishment and the needs of the site. It should be noted that native plantings can take years to successfully establish and delaying planting is not recommended. The buffer must be planted to complete the as-built plan process and release any financial security held for the project.
Design Resources
Additional Resources
For any questions regarding erosion control or stormwater management permits, please feel free to reach out to Dane County staff. To find the staff contact in your area, view the Staff Contact Map. If you can’t tell who your staff contact should be, please email Water Resources Engineering wrediv@danecounty.gov or call the office (608) 224-3730.
