WLMD   30910 Royal Hill Road   Burlington, WI 53105   262-514-3238   info@wlmd.org
		Lake Maps Boating Regs Fish Stocking Newsletter Permit Information Wind Lake Permits Planning a project around a lake can present a number of unexpected problems. What needs a permit? What doesn't? Who do I contact for a permit(s)? Permits are required for: Chemical weed and algae treatment Shoreline improvement and/or repair Building construction Piers Boat lifts Boat houses Beaches/swimming areas Ice shanties Filling land Burning leaves Bonfires Fences Cattails Lilly pads Cutting down trees Other activities may need a permit. Please contact the various units of government listed below to be sure. Chemical weed and algae treatment A permit from WDNR is required prior to any chemical treatment or harvesting. Individual landowners may rake a small swimming area without a permit. The WLMD handles permitting and treatment for property owners on Wind Lake. Contact WLMD Shoreline improvement and/or repair A shoreline project will usually require a permit from Racine County Planning and Development and WDNR. For more information, visit the WDNR web site. Building construction A permit will be required from the Town of Norway Building Inspector and Racine County Planning and Development. Depending upon the location, a WDNR permit may be required. Piers A standard, single-family pier does not require a permit. However, the pier must conform to the WDNR guidelines. Refer to the Pier Planner written by WDNR. It is available at the Norway Town Hall or from the WDNR web site. Boat lifts A boat lift does not require a permit, but should conform to the WDNR guidelines. Boat houses New construction of boat houses is rarely approved. Permits would be required from WDNR, Racine County Planning and Development, and the Town of Norway. Beaches and swimming areas Plants may be raked out of a swimming area by hand. Plants and fragments must be removed. The WDNR rarely issues permits to put sand on the shoreline. WDNR does issue permits to landowners to put a pea gravel base down. These are a one-time only permit and certain conditions must be met. Contact WDNR for more information. Ice shanties Ice shanties are allowed on Wind Lake during winter. The WDNR and the Town of Norway have requirements for ice shanties. Contact the Town of Norway and WDNR. Filling land Filling, grading, and ditching activities near the lakeshore require a permit. Contact WDNR and Racine County Planning and Development. Burning leaves Leaves should not be burned on the lakeshore or in ditches or areas that drain to a lake or stream. The Town of Norway has conditions that must be followed for burning, including hours of burning. Contact the Town of Norway. Bonfires Bonfires are not allowed on the ice unless in a container. The Town of Norway requires that bonfire pits should be at least 25 feet from the shoreline. Contact the Town of Norway. Fences Fences may or may not be permitted. Fences may be denied if the area is a floodplain. Contact the Town of Norway and Racine County Planning and Development. Lilly pads Lillly pads are considered "good weeds." However, small areas may be controlled by hand pulling or chemical treatment. A WDNR permit is needed for any chemical control. Cattails Cattails are considered "good weeds". However, small areas may be cut or mowed to provide access to the lake. A dredging permit is needed if cattails are to be dug out. Chemical treatment may also be permitted for particular situations. Contact WDNR to determine whether a permit is needed. Cutting down trees Trees are an important resource around a lake. They provide shade and habitat. They increase the aesthetics of the lakeshore. Clear cutting the shoreland area is usually prohibited. Contact Racine County Planning and Development for specific information. Contact Information: WLMD 30910 Royal Hill Road Burlington, WI 53105 262-514-3238 info@wlmd.org Town of Norway 6419 Heg Park Rd Wind Lake, WI 53185 262-895-6335 Building Inspector 262-895-2732 Racine County Planning and Development 14200 Washington Ave Sturtevant, WI 53177 1-800-522-6240 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 9531 Rayne Rd Suite 4 Sturtevant, WI 53177 262-884-2356