Waterway & Wetland Permits: Piers, Docks and Wharves

Landowners || Contractors || Municipalities || Agriculturalists || Public Involvement || County Contacts

If you have an EXISTING pier, dock, or wharf, that has been in place since February 6, 2004, and you have NOT already submitted a registration form:

Please CLICK HERE to learn if you qualify to register and download the form.

Piers are a popular focus for boating and waterfront recreation. What pier owners need to know is that they can continue to place their existing piers on the water, the same as they’ve been doing for years.

Still have Questions?

Visit our NEW Pier FAQ to see answers to the most commonly asked questions about piers.

What's My Pier Size?

[VIDEO, Length 2:37].

Why Regulate Piers?

Large Piers impact fish and aquatic life.
Large piers can interfere with boating and swimming.
Lakes and rivers belong to everyone under the Public Trust Doctrine. Waterfront owners have a reasonable right to a pier, but it is not an unlimited right and not above the public's interest in public waters.

The owner of this pier can continue to place and enjoy this same pier for years to come

DNR Photo

The majority of existing piers already meet size limits and will not need a permit or state review.

Piers that DO NOT meet the Pier Planner [PDF 809KB], will need to be modified to meet the Piers Exemption Checklist [PDF 64KB] or apply for a Individual Permit with state review.

We also have an interactive decision tool to help you determine if you will need to get a permit or simply do nothing.

Decision Tool: Do I Need A Permit?

Don't have Flash player? Visit our text version of the “Do I Need A Permit” pier decision matrix instead. In addition, here are the current Piers permitting and exemption application materials:

Piers Permit Application Materials

How do I save and open the permit materials in ZIP format?

• Individual Permit Application: Piers [ZIP 648KB]

Don't forget to include sample drawings with your application!

Piers Sample Drawing and Grids:

• Piers Permit Sample Drawing [PDF 164KB]

• Piers Permit Blank Grids [PDF 164KB]

Piers Permit Additional Materials

Additional Materials:

Pier Planner

Piers Exemption Checklist

Exemption Determination Request Form

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.

Contact Us

For more information on piers, please email us at DNRpiers@wisconsin.gov.

Laws

Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.12, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 326, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 29KB].

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].

Last Revised: Friday December 09 2011