Divide the City into zones or districts restricting and regulating therein the location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, appearance, form and use of buildings, structures and land for residence, business and manufacturing and other specified uses;

Protect the character and the stability of the residential, business, manufacturing and other districts within the City and to promote the orderly and beneficial development thereof;

Regulate lot coverage, the intensity of use of lot areas and the size and location of all structures so as to prevent overcrowding and to provide adequate sunlight, air, sanitation and drainage;

Regulate population density and distribution so as to avoid sprawl and to facilitate the provision of adequate public services, utilities and other public requirements;

Regulate parking, loading and access so as to promote the safety and efficiency of streets and highways;

Secure safety from fire, panic, flooding, pollution, contamination and other dangers;

Stabilize and protect existing and potential property values and encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the City;

Preserve and protect the beauty of the City of Onalaska through careful siting of structures in bluff areas, preservation of unique landscapes and the encouragement of good design and architecture;

To provide for the elimination of nonconforming uses of land, buildings and structures which are adversely affecting the character and value of desirable development in each district;

Prevent and control erosion, sedimentation and other pollution into surface and subsurface waters;

Prevent flood damage to persons and property and minimize expenditures for flood relief and flood control projects;

Implement those municipal, county, watershed and regional comprehensive plans or components of such plans adopted by the City of Onalaska.

Purpose. A legal, nonconforming use is one that existed lawfully before the Unified Development Code was enacted or amended and does not conform with the use restrictions in the current Unified Development Code. A nonconforming use may continue in its current capacity provided the following regulations are satisfied.

Restoration of certain nonconforming uses. A nonconforming use damaged or destroyed by violent wind, vandalism, fire, flood, ice, snow or infestation shall be allowed to be restored, provided the structure is restored to the size, location and use it had immediately before the damage or destruction. An increase in size shall only be permitted if necessary to comply with applicable state or federal requirements.

Termination. If a nonconforming use is discontinued or terminated for a period of 12 months, any future use of the structure, land, or other use shall conform to the provisions of this Title.

Additional regulations. The structural alteration/repair of a structure containing a nonconforming use shall not exceed 50% of the structure's assessed value over the life of the structure. Additions to a structure containing a nonconforming use shall not be allowed.

Purpose. A legal, nonconforming parcel or structure is one with site characteristics, including, but not limited to, setbacks, lot dimension standards, or other regulations specified within the Unified Development Code that exist at the time of the adoption or amendment of this Title. A nonconforming structure may not be extended, enlarged, reconstructed, substituted, moved or structurally altered except when required to do so by law or order or so as to comply with the provisions of this Title.

Expansion or improvement. Any lawful nonconforming structures existing at the time of the adoption or amendment of this Title may be continued, although their size or location does not conform with the lot width, lot area, yard, height, parking and loading, and access provisions of this Title. Any lawful nonconforming structure may be allowed to be extended, enlarged, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered, provided that said extension, enlargement, reconstruction, movement or alteration complies with the requirements of the specific zoning district, except for the existing nonconformance. However, the nonconforming feature of a lawful nonconforming structure shall not be allowed to become more nonconforming.

Accessory structures. New and permitted accessory structures may be constructed on a lot which contains a nonconforming structure, provided the new accessory structure conforms with the standards of the Unified Development Code. Existing detached accessory structures that are nonconforming (shed, privacy screens, pergolas, etc.) may not be increased in height without coming into conformance with this Title.

Relocation. If a nonconforming structure is moved for any reason for any distance whatsoever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the district in which it is located after it is moved.

Ordinary maintenance. Ordinary maintenance repairs, including repairs reasonably necessary to prevent the deterioration of a structure and remodeling of a nonconforming structure, are permitted, as well as necessary nonstructural repairs and alterations which do not extend, enlarge, or intensify the nonconforming structure. Ordinary maintenance repairs and remodeling includes but is not limited to internal and external painting, decorating, wall covering, the addition of acoustical ceilings, the installation of heating, electricity, plumbing (including fixtures) or insulation, and replacement of doors, windows, and other nonstructural components.

Unsafe structures. Nothing in this Title shall preclude the Zoning Administrator, Inspection Department or any other City official from initiating remedial or enforcement actions when a lawful nonconforming structure is declared unsafe or presents a danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.

Damaged or destroyed. A nonconforming structure damaged or destroyed on or after the effective date of this Title by violent wind, vandalism, explosion, fire, flood, ice, snow, mold, or infestation may be restored to the size and/or location without any limits on the costs of the repair, reconstruction, or improvement in accordance with § 62.23(7)(hc), Wis. Stats. The rebuilt nonconforming structure may only be increased in size beyond what is allowable under Section 13.01.26.B.2. if doing so is necessary to conform to applicable state or federal requirements.

Conformance. Once a nonconforming structure has been changed to conform to the Unified Development Code regulations, it shall not be allowed to revert back to a nonconforming structure.

Once a nonconforming use or structure has been changed to conform, it shall not revert back to a nonconforming use or structure.

Once the Board of Zoning Appeals has permitted the substitution of a more restrictive nonconforming use for an existing nonconforming use, the existing nonconforming use shall lose its status as a legal nonconforming use and may not be reestablished.

Maintain records of all permits issued, inspections made, work approved and other official actions.

Record the lowest floor elevations of all structures erected, moved, altered or improved in the floodplain districts.

Establish that all necessary permits that are required for floodplain uses by state and federal law have been secured.

Inspect all structures, lands and waters as often as necessary to assure compliance with this Title, including assessment of all damaged floodplain structures, to determine if substantial damage to the structures has occurred.

Investigate all complaints made relating to the location of structures and the use of structures, lands and waters, give notice of all violations of this Title to the owner, resident, agent or occupant of the premises and report uncorrected violations to the City Attorney in a manner specified by them.

Prohibit the use or erection of any structure, land or water until they have inspected and approved such use or erection.

Request assistance and cooperation from the Police Department and City Attorney as deemed necessary.