Park Falls City Zoning Code
ARTICLE III
Zoning Districts
§ 480-16 Districts established.
For the purpose and provision of this chapter, the City of Park Falls, Wisconsin, is hereby organized into the following districts:
R-1 Single-Family Residential District |
R-2 Two-Family and Multifamily Residential District |
PUD Planned Unit Development District |
C-1 Commercial District |
C-2 Commercial District |
I-1 Industrial District |
A-1 Agricultural District |
W-1 Resource Conservation District |
§ 480-17 Zoning Maps.
A.
The boundaries of the aforesaid zoning districts are hereby established as shown on the maps entitled "Zoning Map of Park Falls, Wisconsin," dated May 3, 1977. These Official Maps and all explanatory matter thereon and attached thereto are adopted by reference and declared to be part of this chapter.
B.
The "Zoning Map of Park Falls, Wisconsin," and all official explanatory matter attached thereto bears the signature of the City Clerk or Treasurer and shall be on file in the office of the Zoning Administrator.
§ 480-18 Interpretation of district boundaries.
When uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of the various districts as shown on the zoning maps, the following rules shall apply:
A.
District boundary lines are either the center lines of railroads, highways, streets, alleys, or easements, or the boundary lines of sections, quarter sections, divisions of sections, tracts or lots, or such lines extended unless otherwise indicated.
B.
In areas not subdivided into lots and blocks, wherever a district is indicated as a strip adjacent to and paralleling a street or highway, the depth of such strips shall be in accordance with the dimensions shown on the maps measured at right angles from the center line of the street or highway, and the length of frontage shall be in accordance with dimensions shown on the map from section, quarter section, or division lines, or center lines of streets, highways, or railroad rights-of-way unless otherwise indicated.
C.
Where a lot held in one ownership and of record on the effective date of this chapter is divided by a district boundary line, the entire lot shall be construed to be within the less-restricted district, provided that this construction shall not apply if it increases the less-restricted frontage of the lot by more than 25 feet.
§ 480-19 Annexations.
All territory annexed to the City of Park Falls shall automatically become a part of the R-2 Two-Family and Multifamily Residential District until definite boundaries and regulations are adopted by the Common Council; provided, however, that the Common Council shall adopt definite boundaries and district regulations within 90 days from the date of annexation.
§ 480-20 R-1 Single-Family Residential District.
[Amended 8-12-2024 by Ord. No. 24-001; 8-25-2025 by Ord. No. 25-023]
A.
Purpose. The R-1 District is intended to provide a pleasant, safe, and quiet neighborhood environment free from traffic hazards or public annoyances for residential areas in the City.
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Single-family dwellings, excluding all mobile homes.
(2)
Public recreational parks and playgrounds.
(3)
One private garage and accessory buildings.
(4)
Uses customarily incident to any of the above uses, provided that no such use generates traffic or noise that would create a public or private nuisance.
(5)
Home gardening.
C.
Area requirements.
(1)
Maximum building height: 35 feet.
(2)
Side yard, principal building: 10 feet on a side; 24 feet total.
(3)
Side yard, accessory building: five feet on each side. Within portions of the City developed prior to May 17, 1977, side yards shall be five feet for principal buildings and three feet for accessory buildings, and rear yards shall be five feet for all buildings.
(4)
Front yard setback (except as stated below): 25 feet.
(5)
Rear yard setback: 30 feet.
(6)
Rear yard setback: accessory building: five feet.
(7)
Lot area per family: 8,500 square feet.
(8)
Minimum lot width: 70 feet.
(9)
Minimum floor area per family: 800 square feet on the ground level.
(10)
Waterfront setback: 50 feet. No structure larger than 100 square feet may be placed within 50 feet of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of any lake, river, stream, impoundment, or flowage.
D.
Setback modification.
(1)
Where 40% or more of the frontage is occupied with buildings having an average setback line of more or of less than 25 feet, the setback line in any vacant interior lot in such frontage shall be established at the point of intersection of its center line, drawn from the front street line and a line connecting the nearest points on the setback lines of the next existing buildings on each side of such vacant lot.
(2)
On any corner lot less than 60 feet wide and of record at the time of the passage of this chapter where reversed frontage exists, the setback on the side street shall be not less than 50% of the setback required on the lot in the rear, and no buildings shall project beyond the setback line of the lot in the rear; provided, further, that in no case shall the buildable width of such corner lot be reduced to less than 24 feet.
§ 480-21 R-2 Two-Family and Multifamily Residential District.
[Amended 8-12-2024 by Ord. No. 24-001; 8-25-2025 by Ord. No. 25-022]
A.
Purpose. The R-2 District is intended to provide a living area that is pleasant and suitable for duplexes and multiple-family dwellings.
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Any use permitted in the R-1 District, provided R-1 conditions are met for those uses.
(2)
Two-family dwellings.
(3)
Multifamily dwellings.
(4)
Churches, public schools, parochial schools, public libraries, public museums, and art galleries.
(5)
Municipal buildings, except sewage disposal plants, garbage incinerators, public warehouses, public garages, public shops and storage yards and penal or correctional institutions and asylums.
(6)
Mobile home parks.
(7)
Public recreational and community center buildings and grounds.
(8)
Home gardening, greenhouses, and nurseries.
(9)
Boardinghouses and lodging houses.
(10)
Public hospitals, except hospitals for contagious diseases or for the care or treatment of epileptics or drug or drink addicts or the insane or feeble-minded, when such buildings shall be located not less than 75 feet from any lot in any residence district not used for the same purpose.
(11)
Philanthropic and charitable institutions.
(12)
Private clubs, fraternities and lodges, except those whose chief activity is customarily carried on as a business.
(13)
Professional offices.
(14)
Clinics.
C.
Area requirements.
(1)
Maximum building height: 45 feet.
(2)
Side yard, principal building: 10 feet on each side.
(3)
Side yard, accessory building: five feet.
(4)
Rear yard setback, accessory building: five feet.
(5)
Front yard setback: 25 feet.
(6)
Rear yard setback, principal building: 30 feet. Within portions of the City developed prior to May 17, 1977, side yards shall be five feet for principal building and three feet for accessory buildings, and rear yards shall be five feet for all buildings.
(7)
Lot area per family: 8,500 square feet for one family; 6,000 square feet for two family; 3,500 for multifamily. On substandard lots developed before May 17, 1977, building on said lots is permitted if the buildings conform to the setback requirements of § 480-21C(6).
(8)
Minimum lot width: 80 feet.
(9)
Minimum floor area per family: 1,000 square feet for three-bedroom apartments; 800 square feet for two-bedroom apartments; 600 square feet for one-bedroom apartments.
(10)
Waterfront setback: 50 feet. No structure larger than 100 square feet may be placed within 50 feet of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of any lake, river, stream, impoundment, or flowage.
§ 480-22 C-1-A Commercial District.
[8-12-2024 by Ord. No. 24-001; 8-25-2025 by Ord. No. 25-020; 10-27-2025 by Ord. No. 25-028]
A.
Purpose. The C-1-A District is intended to provide an area for the primary business and commercial needs of the City.
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Any use permitted in the R-2 District.
(2)
Post offices.
(3)
Parking lots.
(4)
General business and commercial uses which do not generate noise, smoke or odors that would create a public or private nuisance.
(a)
These generally include:
Animal hospital, pet shop |
Art shop, antique shop, gift shop |
Automobile sales and service establishments, public garage, parking lot |
Bakery |
Bank, brokerage, financial institution, pawnbroker |
Barber shop, beauty parlor |
Book and stationery store, news stand |
Bowling alley, pool and billiard room |
Business and professional office |
Candy store, confectionery store |
Clothing store, department store, dress shop, dry goods store, hosiery shop, millinery shop, shoe store, shoe repair shop |
Convention and exhibition hall, sports arena |
Dance hall, gymnasium, skating rink |
Drugstore, ice cream shop, pharmacy, soda fountain, soft drink stand |
Florist shop |
Food and dairy products establishments, delicatessen, fruit and vegetable store, grocery store, meat and fish market |
Furniture store, office equipment store, upholsterer's shop |
Hardware store, home appliance store, paint store, plumbing, heating and electrical supplies, sporting goods store |
Hotel, motel, trailer and/or cabin court |
Jewelry store, watch repair shop |
Laundry or cleaning and dyeing establishment employing not more than 10 persons on the premises |
Music store, radio and television store |
Optical store |
Photographer, photographer's supplies |
Private clubs and lodges |
Private school |
Radio and television broadcasting studio, radio and television towers, masts or aerials, microwave radio relay structures |
Restaurant, barbecue stand, cafe, cafeteria, caterer, tavern |
Signs, billboards, and other outdoor advertising structures |
Tailor shop, clothes pressing shop |
Railroad and bus depot |
Telephone and telegraph office |
Temporary structures |
Theaters and places of amusement, except drive-in theaters |
Tobacco store |
Undertaking establishment |
Variety store, notion shop |
(b)
Any other uses similar in character and the manufacture and treatment of products clearly incidental to the conduct of a retail business on the premises;
(c)
Such accessory uses as are customary in connection with the foregoing uses and are incidental thereto.
C.
Area requirements.
(1)
Maximum building height: 45 feet.
(2)
Side yard, principal building: 10 feet on each side or a four-hour fire-retardant wall.
(3)
Side yard, accessory building: 10 feet on each side or four-hour fire-retardant wall.
(4)
Front yard setback: 15 feet.
(5)
Rear yard setback, principal building: 25 feet.
(6)
Rear yard setback, accessory building: 10 feet.
(7)
Lot area per family: same as R-2 District; minimum lot width: 70 feet.
(8)
Parking, off-street residential: one per family.
(9)
Parking, commercial: one per 300 square feet of floor space.
(10)
Minimum floor area per family: Same as R-2 District.
(11)
Waterfront setback: 50 feet. No structure larger than 100 square feet may be placed within 50 feet of the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) of any lake, river, stream, impoundment, or flowage.
§ 480-23 C-2 Commercial District.
[Amended 8-12-2024 by Ord. No. 24-001; 8-25-2025 by Ord. No. 25-019; 10-27-2025 by Ord. No. 25-029]
A.
Purpose. The C-2 District is intended to provide an area for a mix of residential and commercial uses approved for the "tourist by-way," as that term is defined in the Comprehensive Plan, in the City of Park Falls.
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Any use permitted in the R-2 District.
(2)
Art shop, art gallery, art studio.
(3)
Bakery.
(4)
Barber shop, beauty salon, tanning salon.
(5)
Bookstore, stationery store, news stand.
(6)
Licensed professionals.
(7)
Candy store, confectionery store.
(8)
Clothing store, dress shop, shoe store, fashion boutiques.
(9)
Ice cream shop, soda fountain, soft drink stand.
(10)
Coffee shop, internet cafe, specialty food shop, caterer.
(11)
Florist shop, party supply shop.
(12)
Delicatessen, meat market.
(13)
Hotel, motel.
(14)
Optical store.
(15)
Photographer, photo studio, photo frame shop.
(16)
Private clubs and lodges that are 501(c)(3) exempt.
(17)
Tailor shop, leather sales and repair shop.
(18)
Any other uses similar in character and those which are not intrusive to the surrounding residential property, subject to the advance approval of the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission will review and make a determination on proposed uses on a case-by-case basis.
C.
Area requirements.
(1)
Maximum building height: 25 feet.
(2)
Side yard, principal building: 10 feet on each side.
(3)
Side yard, accessory building: 10 feet on each side.
(4)
Front yard setback: 25 feet.
(5)
Rear yard setback, principal building: 25 feet.
(6)
Rear yard setback, accessory building: 10 feet.
(7)
Parking, off-street: one per 300 square feet of floor space.
(8)
Minimum floor area per family: Same as R-2 District.
(9)
Waterfront setback: 50 feet. No structure larger than 100 square feet may be placed within 50 feet of the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) of any lake, river, stream, impoundment, or flowage.
D.
Other requirements.
(1)
No electronic signs will be allowed. All signage must be compatible to the surrounding decor, subject to the advance approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(2)
No wire fences will be allowed. All fences must be compatible to the surrounding decor, subject to the advance approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(3)
Exterior lighting must be at the minimum required to be effective and safe, while not being so bright as to create a nuisance for neighboring properties.
(4)
No outside displays or storage will be allowed except on a temporary basis when approved in advance by the Zoning Administrator in his or her discretion.
§ 480-24 I-1 Industrial District.
A.
Purposes. The I-1 District is intended to provide space for industrial and manufacturing uses at appropriate locations in the City. All other uses (residential, commercial, public) are prohibited, except that a dwelling may be provided for a caretaker or superintendent if the industrial use requires constant supervision.
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Wholesale business.
(2)
Printing and publishing.
(3)
Manufacture of products from paper.
(4)
Repair, service and assembly of motor-propelled or non-motor-propelled vehicles, including the repair and storage of automotive accessories, except the wrecking of motor-propelled vehicles.
(5)
Storage and warehousing of fuel and materials and contractors' yards, except the storage of wrecked and dismantled vehicles, junk, explosives or inflammable gases or liquids.
(6)
Manufacture and bottling of nonalcoholic beverages.
(7)
Processing, packing and manufacture of food and food products, including bakeries, except meat and meat products, fish and fish products, sauerkraut and cabbage by-products or the vining of peas.
(8)
Manufacture of products from wood, including the manufacture of pulp, paper, and paper products and by-products from the pulping and paper-making process.
(9)
Manufacture of sporting goods, home and office appliances and supplies.
(10)
Manufacture of goods from leather, but not tanning of hides or manufacture of leather.
(11)
Knitting mills and the manufacture of products from finished fabrics.
(12)
Cleaning, dyeing and pressing establishments and laundries, except bag cleaning.
(13)
Laboratories.
(14)
Manufacture of jewelry and cosmetics.
(15)
Manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, and smoking tobacco.
(16)
Enameling and painting.
(17)
Blacksmithing, tinsmithing, sheet metal working and plumbing shops.
(18)
Manufacture of goods from plastics.
(19)
Refining, manufacture and storage of inflammable gases or liquids where such are a raw material for, or a by-product of, an existing industrial or manufacturing process.
(20)
Any other uses except:
(a)
Residential, educational, or institutional uses, except a dwelling for a watchman or caretaker employed on the premises and members of his family.
(b)
Uses in conflict with any laws of the State of Wisconsin or any ordinance of the City of Park Falls governing nuisances.
C.
Conditional uses. Any of the following uses are prohibited unless the location of such use has been approved or conditionally approved by conditional use permit by the Common Council after investigation and public hearing:
(1)
Acid, except as a by-product from existing manufacturing plant, ammonia, chlorine and soap manufacture.
(2)
Ammunition manufacture, explosives or fireworks manufacture or storage.
(3)
Asphalt, coal and coal tar or coke manufacture.
(4)
Automobile wrecking yard, junkyard.
(5)
Bones, distillation of.
(6)
Cement, lime, gypsum or plaster of paris manufacture.
(7)
Fat rendering.
(8)
Fertilizer manufacture.
(9)
Garbage, rubbish, offal or dead animal reduction or dumping.
(10)
Gelatin or glue manufacture.
(11)
Inflammable gases or liquids, refining or manufacture of overground tank farms, except as a part of existing manufacturing operations and its by-products.
(12)
Slaughterhouses, stockyards.
(13)
Smelting.
(14)
Adult-oriented uses.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
D.
Area requirements.
(1)
Side yard principal building: 20 feet on each side.
(2)
Side yard, accessory building: five feet on each side.
(3)
Front yard setback: 40 feet.
(4)
Rear yard setback: 30 feet.
(5)
Minimum lot width: 100 feet.
(6)
Waterfront setback: 75 feet. No structure larger than 100 square feet may be placed within 75 feet of the ordinary high water mark of any lake, river, stream, impoundment, or flowage.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
§ 480-25 A-1 Agricultural District.
[Amended 8-12-2024 by Ord. No. 24-001; 8-25-2025 by Ord. No. 25-021]
A.
Purpose. This district is established to:
(1)
Help conserve good farming areas; and
(2)
Prevent uncontrolled, uneconomical spread of residential development since it results in excessive costs to the community for provision of essential public improvements and services (sewer and water lines, etc.).
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
One-family and two-family farm residences but only when occupied by owners and/or persons engaged in farming activities on the premises.
(2)
Farming, provided that buildings in which farm animals are kept shall be at least 100 feet from the nearest residential district.
(3)
Churches, schools, parks, municipal buildings, and hospitals.
(4)
Airports, including terminal facilities and necessary concessions.
(5)
In-season roadside stands for the sale of farm products produced on the premises.
(6)
Golf courses, including necessary club houses, concessions, and accessory buildings.
(7)
Dam operated for the generation of hydroelectric power.
C.
Area requirements.
(1)
Maximum building height: 35 feet (not applicable to agricultural uses).
(2)
Side yard, principal building: nine feet on each side.
(3)
Side yard, accessory building: five feet on each side.
(4)
Front yard setback: 40 feet.
(5)
Rear yard setback: 25 feet.
(6)
Lot area per family: Enough for a bona fide farm operation.
(7)
Minimum lot width: 150 feet.
(8)
Waterfront setback: 50 feet. No structure larger than 100 square feet may be placed within 50 feet of the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) of any lake, river, stream, impoundment, or flowage.
§ 480-26 W-1 Conservancy District.
A.
Purpose. The W-1 District is intended to preserve the natural state of scenic areas, to preserve natural areas and buffer strips, and to discourage intensive development of marginal lands so as to prevent potential hazards to public and private property.
B.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Management of forestry, wildlife, and fish.
(2)
Harvesting of wild crops such as marsh hay, ferns, moss, berries, fruit trees, and tree seeds.
(3)
Hunting, fishing, and trapping.
(4)
Dams, power stations, and transmission lines.
(5)
Upon written permission from the Common Council that is based on the purposes of this chapter and the recommendation of the Plan Commission following a public hearing:
(a)
Sewage disposal plants.
(b)
Water pumping or storage facilities.
(c)
Golf courses.
(d)
Public camping grounds.
(e)
Billboards/signs.
(6)
Bicycle or hiking trails.
(7)
Parks.
(8)
Uses customarily incident to any of the above uses.
C.
Area requirements. There are no setback, lot size or other dimensional requirements applicable to the W-1 District.
§ 480-27 PUD Planned Unit Development District.
A.
Purpose. The PUD District is intended to provide for large-scale residential or residential/recreational development. This district shall have no definite boundaries until such are approved by the City Council on the recommendation of the Plan Commission in accordance with procedures prescribed for zoning amendments by § 62.23, Wis. Stats. Plans for the proposed development shall be submitted in duplicate and shall show the location, size, and proposed use of all structures and land included in the areas involved.
B.
Plan standards. The plans may provide for a combination of single-family and multifamily development as well as related commercial uses, provided that the plans indicate that:
(1)
A single area of at least five acres is involved.
(2)
Each residential building and lot in the district will conform to the R-2 District requirements and each commercial building and lot will conform to the C-1 District requirements.
(3)
Adequate streets and sidewalks as determined to serve the needs of the area involved will be provided.
(4)
Adequate access to public streets and proper internal circulation will be provided.
(5)
Adequate sewer and water facilities will be provided.
(6)
The development will constitute a reasonable extension of the living areas in the City and will be compatible with surrounding land uses.