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Waterway & Wetland Permits: Boathouse Repair
“Do I need to obtain a permit and/or pay a fee when I want to...”
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Repair an existing boathouse
No DNR permit is required to repair a "dry" boathouse located landward of the ordinary high water mark. However, local permits may be required. Contact your city, village or county zoning office for more information.
A certification from DNR IS required to repair a "wet" boathouse or fixed houseboat, or to qualify for a statutory exception. A fee is required.
Exceptions
Section 30.121, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] provides some limited exceptions on construction, repair and maintenance of "wet" boathouses, for certain historic, single-story, commercial or damaged boathouses. They must meet the specific conditions in Sections 30.121(3g), (3m), (3r) or (3w), Wis. Stats., and require a DNR certification.
To Apply
Please complete a boathouse repair certification form:
Send the completed certification form, along with the fee and Fee Sheet [#3500-053A, PDF 93KB], to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.
Laws
Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.121, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 325, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 29KB].
Construct a new boathouse
State law generally prohibits the construction of a new "wet" boathouse or fixed houseboat either on or over a lake, flowage, river, creek or streambed.
Exceptions
Section 30.121, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] provides some limited exceptions on construction, repair and maintenance of "wet" boathouses, for certain historic, single-story, commercial or damaged boathouses. They must meet the specific conditions in Sections 30.121(3g), (3m), (3r) or (3w), Wis. Stats., and require a DNR certification.
New "dry" boathouses built on upland can be constructed above the ordinary high water mark if they meet local zoning. No DNR permit is required for a dry boathouse to be located landward of the ordinary high water mark. However, local permits are required for any construction, additions, or repairs to a boathouse located on the upland. Contact your city, village or county zoning office for more information.
Local permits and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations may also apply. We advise you to contact your local zoning office and your regional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office [exit DNR].
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How do I save and open the permit materials in ZIP format? |
Dry boat houses located above the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) do not require any DNR approvals. If your "wet" boathouse meets any of the exceptions listed in statute, you must first certify your boathouse with the DNR. |
Please send your completed application materials to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page.
Laws
Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.121, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 325 [exit DNR], [PDF 168KB].
Local permits and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations may also apply. We advise you to contact your local zoning office and your regional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office [exit DNR].
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