Rescinding Dust Mitigation Ordinance #2025-2 for Non-Metallic Mines
The Town of Washburn, on this date, hereby rescinds:
Dust Mitigation Ordinance #2025-2 for Non-Metallic Mines

Signed, on this day, April 14, 2026
Scottie Sandstrom, Town of Washburn Chair
Vicki Thoen, Town of Washburn Clerk

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN CITATION ORDINANCE

Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin

Adoption of Town of Washburn Citation #2025-3

Pursuant to §60.80, Wisconsin Statutes, the Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, hereby posts notice that, at its regular Town Board Meeting held on November 11, 2025, the Town Board enacted Citation Ordinance #2025 3.

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the Town Board of the Town of Washburn, or its designees, to issue citations for violations of Town of Washburn ordinances, including ordinances with statutory counterparts. The citation was approved by the Town Board, and signed by the Chair and Clerk on November 11, 2025.

Location of Full Citation: The full text of the ordinance is on the town’s website (www.townofwashburn.wi.gov) and may be read at the Town of Washburn Garage, 30015 County Road C, Washburn, WI 54891 by making an advance appointment with Town Road Superintendent Mike Harvey (715-373-2567).

Submitted by Cyndee Marx, Clerk
Town of Washburn
clerk@townofwashburn.wi.gov

Dust Mitigation Ordinance #2025-2 for Non-Metallic Mines

Section 1: Title and Authority
This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the “Dust Mitigation Ordinance for Non-Metallic Mines.”

Section 2: Purpose

The purpose of this ordinance is to reduce dust pollution and improve air quality on unpaved roads used by mining operations within the Town of Washburn. This ordinance aims to protect the health and safety of residents and preserve the local environment by mandating the application of dust mitigation products.

Section 3: Definitions

For the purposes of this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

1. Non-Metallic Mine: Any site or location where non-metallic minerals are extracted from the earth, including but not limited to sand, gravel, and stone.
2. Operator: Any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity that owns, leases, or operates a non-metallic mine.
3. Unpaved Road: Any road within the town limits that is not surfaced with asphalt, concrete, or other similar materials.
4. Dust Mitigation Products: Substances applied to unpaved roads to reduce dust emissions, including but not limited to water, calcium chloride, and lignosulfonate.

Section 4: Applicability

This ordinance applies to all active non-metallic mines located within the town limits of Washburn.

Section 5: Requirements

Operators of active non-metallic mines are required to pay the Town of Washburn for the application of dust mitigation products on unpaved roads between the mine and the nearest paved roadway. The frequency of application and the type of dust mitigation products used shall be determined by the town based on environmental and traffic conditions.

Section 6: Payment Process

1. Calculation of Payments: Payments shall be calculated based on the length of the unpaved road requiring treatment and the cost of the dust mitigation products and application services.
2. Collection of Payments: The town shall invoice operators on a quarterly basis. Payments are due within 30 days of the invoice date.
3. Use of Payments: Funds collected under this ordinance shall be used exclusively for the application of dust mitigation products and related administrative costs.

Section 7: Enforcement

1. Penalties for Non-Compliance: Operators failing to comply with the requirements of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of up to $500 per day for each day of non-compliance.
2. Violation Process: The town shall provide written notice of any violation to the operator, specifying the nature of the violation and the required corrective action. Operators shall have 15 days from the date of notice to remedy the violation before penalties are imposed.

Section 8: Effective Date

This ordinance shall take effect on January 1, 2026.

Section 9: Severability

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The Town of Washburn hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Above ordinance was passed unanimously by the Town of Washburn Town Board on October 14, 2025.

ORDINANCE NO. 2025‑1

AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE
UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF WASHBURN 2025‑2045

The Town Board of the Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, do ordain as follows:

SECTION I – TITLE AND PURPOSE. The title of this ordinance is the Town of Washburn Updated Comprehensive Plan 2025‑2045 Ordinance. The purpose of this ordinance is for the Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, to lawfully adopt an updated comprehensive plan as required under §66.1001 (4) (c), Wisconsin Statutes.

SECTION II – AUTHORITY. The Town Board of the Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, has authority under its village powers under §60.22, Wisconsin Statutes, to appoint a town plan commission under §60.62 (4) and §62.23 (1), Wisconsin Statutes, and under §66.1001 (4), Wisconsin Statutes, to adopt this ordinance. The comprehensive plan of the Town of Washburn must be in compliance with §66.1001 (4) (c), Wisconsin Statutes, in order for the town board to adopt this ordinance.

SECTION III – ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE. This ordinance, adopted by a majority of the town board on a roll call vote with a quorum present and voting and proper notice having been given, provides for the adoption by the town of a comprehensive plan under §66.1001 (4), Wisconsin Statutes.

SECTION IV – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. The town board has adopted written procedures designed to foster public participation in every stage of the preparation of a comprehensive plan as required by §66.1001 (4) (a), Wisconsin Statutes.

SECTION V – TOWN PLAN COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION. The Plan Commission of the Town of Washburn, by a majority vote of the entire commission, recorded in its official minutes for March 6, 2025, has adopted a resolution recommending to the town board the adoption of the updated Town of Washburn Comprehensive Plan 2025‑2045, which contains all of the elements specified in §66.1001 (2), Wisconsin Statutes.

.SECTION VI – PUBLIC HEARING. The Town of Washburn held a public hearing on this ordinance on March 6, 2025, with notice in compliance with the requirements of §66.1001 (4) (d), Wisconsin Statutes.

SECTION VII – ADOPTION OF TOWN COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. The town board, by the enactment of this ordinance, formally adopts the document entitled Town of Washburn Comprehensive Plan Ordinance under §66.1001 (4) (c), Wisconsin Statutes.

SECTION VIII – SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.

SECTION IX – EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance is effective on publication or posting. The town clerk shall properly post or publish this ordinance as required under §60.80, Wisconsin Statutes, and a copy of the ordinance and the comprehensive plan, shall be filed with at least all of the entities specified under §66.1001 (4) (b), Wisconsin Statutes.

Adopted this 11^th  day of March, 2025.

Ayes__3___   Noes__0__   Absent__0___                  _____________________________                                                                                                                                                 Sandra Raspotnik, Chair

______________________________

ATTEST: Lance Twombly, Clerk

Link to Signed Document

Note: As of March 15, 2024 all new building permits are being handled by Bayfield County. This ordinance applies only to building permits issued through the Town of Washburn before March 15, 2024.

Bayfield County has contracted with Rem Inspecting LLC: https://reminspecting.com/bayfield-county-udc/ 

Town of Washburn Bayfield County

ORDINANCE #2023-2

CONTENTS

1.1 Authority
1.2 Purpose
1.3 Scope
1.4 Adoption of Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code
1.5 Building Inspector
1.6 Building Permit Required
1.7 Building Permit Fees
1.8 Penalties
1.9 Effective Date

1.1 AUTHORITY. These regulations are adopted under the authority granted by s. 101.65, Wisconsin Statutes.

1.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of this ordinance is to promote the general health, safety, and welfare and to maintain required local uniformity with the administrative and technical requirements of the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.

1.3 SCOPE. The scope of this ordinance includes the construction and inspection of one- and two-family dwellings built since June 1, 1980, and new camping units as defined in Wis. Admin. Code § 327.08(9).

1.4 WISCONSIN UNIFORM DWELLING CODE ADOPTED. The Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, § SPS 320-325 and § SPS 327, and their successors, of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and all amendments thereto, is adopted and incorporated by reference and shall apply to all buildings within the scope of this ordinance.

1.5 BUILDING INSPECTOR. There is hereby created the position of Building Inspector, who shall administer and enforce this ordinance and shall be certified by the Division of Industry Services, as specified by Wisconsin Statutes, Section 101.66(2), in the category of Uniform Dwelling Code Construction Inspector. Additionally, this or other assistant inspectors shall possess the certification categories of UDC HVAC, UDC Electrical, and UDC Plumbing. (NOTE: Contact the Division of Industry Services at (608) 266-2112 for certification information.)

1.6 BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED. If a person builds or installs a new building, within the scope of this ordinance, they shall first obtain a building permit for such work.

1.7 BUILDING PERMIT FEE. The building permit fees shall be determined by resolution and shall include the applicable fee per ch. SPS 302 to be forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services for a UDC permit seal that shall be assigned to any new dwelling. Permit fees for a Wisconsin camping unit as outlined within Wis. Admin. Code § SPS 327.09 and inspection fees as outlined within Wis. Admin. Code § 327.10(3) will also be included in this resolution.

1.8 PENALTIES. The enforcement of this section and all other laws and ordinances relating to building shall be by means of the withholding of building permits, imposition of forfeitures and injunctive action. Forfeitures shall be not less than $25.00 nor more than $1,000.00 for each day of noncompliance.

1.9 EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be effective March 1, 2024, upon passage and publication as provided by law.

1.10 The building inspector(s) shall keep a log of all inspections completed.

Adopted this 13th, day of February, 2024
_____________________________

Sandra J. Raspotnik, Chair

Attest: _________________________

Kerry Tetzner, Clerk

Published: 2/15/24______________________

Town of Washburn

Driveway Ordinance (link to pdf with signatures)
Driveway Ordinance Application Form

Section 1. Title/Purpose
The purpose of the “Town of Washburn Driveway Ordinance” is to establish standards for driveways that will provide safe access from private development to a public right-of-way, will minimize damage to public roads, will provide safe access for emergency vehicles and will protect drainages and water resources.

Section 2. Authority
With the adoption of this ordinance the Town Board of the Town of Washburn is exercising the specific authority, powers and duties pursuant to Sections 60.61, 60.62 and 62.23 Wisconsin Statutes and, by its adoption of village powers under 60.10 Wisconsin Statutes, to zone certain areas in the Town of Washburn and to regulate, prohibit and restrict construction alteration erection and enlargement of certain structures and buildings in the Town of Washburn and to regulate and control certain uses, activities, businesses and operations in the Town of Washburn.

The Town Board of the Town of Washburn has been granted village powers pursuant to Sec. 60.10 Wis. Stats. At the town meeting dated 9 April 1996, the town approved the authority of the Town Board of the Town of Washburn to zone pursuant to Sec. 60.72 (1995-96) Wis. Stats.

Section 86.07(2) Wis. Stats. further provides that:
No person shall make any excavation or fill or install any culvert or make any other alteration in any highway or in any manner distruct any highway or bridge without a permit therefore from the highway authority maintaining the highway. Such permit shall contain the statement and be subject to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by said authority and be performed and completed to its satisfaction, and in the case of temporary alterations that the highway or bridge shall be restored to its former condition, and that the permittee shall be liable to the town or county or state, as the case may be, for all damages which occur during the progress of said work or as a result thereof.

Section 3. Applicability
This ordinance applies to all driveways and private roads that connect to public roadways in the Town of Washburn. Any driveway accessing a county highway also requires an approved permit from the Bayfield County Highway Department.

All new driveways proposed to be installed or any driveway for property requiring a county building permit or land use permit shall require an approved Town of Washburn Driveway Permit prior to any land disturbance. Such driveways shall be subject to an inspection by the Town Board or the Town Board’s designee prior to the start of any construction on a new driveway and prior to the issuance of a building permit. An approved driveway shall be in place before the Town of Washburn Board recommends issuance of a Bayfield County building permit or land use permit.

The applicant, who may be the owner, agent or contractor shall submit a location construction plan showing specifications including grade, slope, width, and length of the driveway, culvert dimensions and placement, drainage ways and erosion control procedures. The applicant shall also install flagged stakes on the property to show the proposed kcation of the driveway road surface intersecting the public road, the driveway location and the location of the ends of the proposed culverts.

Authorization for a driveway is subject to the approval of the town board wherein located and when so approved, the town board shall notify the Bayfield County Zoning Office. The evidence of an existing driveway will be determined by a statement from the town that an approved driveway is in place. If there is a dispute on the adequacy of an alleged existing driveway, the decision of the Town Board will be the deciding factor.

Section 4. Minimum Requirements
The driveway must be designated and constructed in such a way that it will not cause any damage to the town road nor create any hazard to the public as they travel on the town road. The following specifications shall apply:

Minimum road surface width 12 feet
Minimum width clearance 24 feet
Minimum height clearance free of trees, wires, etc. 14 feet
Maximum grade 10 percent
Minimum culvert diameter 18 inches
Minimum culvert length 30 feet
Aprons for culverts in public road right-of-way
Minimum distance of concrete pavement from public road surface 12 feet
Minimum distance of road surface from side lot line (except shared) 10 feet
Minimum distance from public road intersection 75 feet
Minimum load capacity of bridges 25 tons
Turn-around radius at dead ends 25 feet
Road surface slope down from public road surface in right-of-way 1-5 percent

At least one segment of road surface 25 feet in length and 18 feet in width shall be provided for each 300 feet of driveway length to provide for the safe passage of meeting vehicles.

Permanent driveways shall include an adequate road bed base of suitable load-earing material to support the projected traffic. The upper course shall consist of a minimum depth of six inches of medium well-graded, crushed, fractured rock (DOT Grade #2 or equivalent).

At the dead end of all new driveways a turn-around of at least 25 feet radius or some other method to allow vehicles to turn around shall be provided as determined by the Town Board.

The angle of any intersection of a public road and driveway shall be 90 degrees where possible for a minimum distance of 33 feet from the center of the roadway.

A driveway shall be so located and constructed that vehicles approaching or using it will have adequate sight distance in both directions along the public road.

In reviewing the permit, the Town Board shall determine whether specifications beyond the minimum requirements are appropriate for a particular site and proposed use.

Section 5. Temporary Driveways
If a temporary driveway is required for such activities as construction or logging, a permit for a temporary driveway is required. After no more than one year from the date of issuance, the property owner shall remove the driveway and restore the public road right-of-way to the original condition prior to installation, The applicant shall provide a Temporary Driveway Permit Deposit (See Section 10) prior to receiving a permit, The deposit will be repaid to the applicant when the driveway is properly removed and the right-of-way is properly restored. If the owner fails to remove a temporary driveway at the end of the permit period, the owner shall forfeit the permit deposit and shall pay any additional costs incurred by the Town of Washburn to remove the driveway and to restore the road right-of-way. Consistent with Section 86,07 (2) Wis. Stats., the land owner of the driveway shall be responsible for all costs for restoration of the right-of-way, All delinquent bills for driveway restoration will become a lien against the property and will be added to the property tax statement as a special charge.

Section 6. Shared Driveways
The Town of Washburn encourages owners of adjoining parcels under different ownership to collaborate in installing a driveway serving those parcels. Because installing a shared driveway rather than several driveways reduces the number of potential obstructions in the public road right-of-way, traffic safety is improved. Permanent, shared driveways are not subject to a minimum setback distance from lot lines and shall ot be charged a driveway permit fee by the Town of Washburn.

Section 7. Installation and Maintenance
The owner of the driveway shall furnish all materials, do all work and pay all costs in connection with the construction of the driveway, culverts, and erosion control on the highway right-of-way. The maintenance of the driveway, culverts, vegetation and other accessory materials shall be the responsibility of the driveway owner, who shall pay all costs and accomplish all work necessary for required maintenance of the driveway. The driveway installation sall be made without jeopardy to our interference with traffic using the highway. Highway surfaces, shoulder, ditches and vegetation which are distrued by the driveway installation shall be restored to at least the conditions preexisting the driveway construction, Any such facilities distrubed by subsequent maintenance of the driveway shall be restored by the permittee to the satisfaction of the Town Board of the Town of Washburn.

Ordinance Revision 11-10-2020
Should damage occur to emergency vehicles due to a driveway or roadway within the Town of Washburn not being in compliance with the standards of driveway ordinance the Town shall reimburse the City for the damage to the vehicles. The resident will reimburse the Town of Washburn.

Section 8. Administration
Application for a Driveway Permit to intersect a public road in the Town of Washburn should be made on a Town of Washburn Driveway Permit Application and should be submitted to the Town Road Superintendent. The application shall include a drawing of the proposed locations of the driveway, any culverts and payment of required fees. The Town Road Superintendent will make an appointment to meet with the applicant at the site to discuss the specifics of the driveway Any specific requirements for construction shall be written on the permit.

Under no circumstances will the Town of Washburn perform the work of constructing the driveway or access road, but the Town Board of the Town of Washburn may require that a town employee be present to oversee the construction.

Consistent with Sections 86.02 and 86.022 Wis. Stats., if the requirements and procedures of this ordinance are not followed and a driveway is constructed in such a way as to cause damage to the public road or to create a hazard to public safety, the land owner shall be required to correct these flaws at the land owner’s expense. The owner of the driveway shall assume a responsibility for any injury or damage to persons or property resulting directly or indirectly during construction, repair or maintenance of a driveway in a public road right-of way. The issuance of a permit does not relieve the driveway owner of responsibility for repairing damage or obstruction of a right-of-way.

A Driveway Permit shall expire one year from the date of issuance if construction has not been completed within that time.

Section 9. Definitions
Driveways/access: any area where travel occurs from a public road over land (whether by easement of ownership) not considered to be part of the public road for the purpose of gaining access to land or improvements.

Section 10. Fees
The following fees payable to the “Town of Washburn” shall be submitted with a Town of Washburn Driveway Permit Application:
Permanent Driveway Permit Application Fee $20.00
Temporary Driveway Permit Application Fee $20.00
Temporary Driveway Deposit $400.00
Driveway Shared for Two or more Parcels Application Fee $0.00

Section 11. Effective Date

This ordinance shall take effect one day after its passage and publication as provided by law.
Original ordinance adopted May 4, 1999.
Comprehensive revision adopted this 9th Day of April, 2008
Mark Morey
Kerry Tetzner
John Hartzell

Attested by Philip E. Tetzner

ORDINANCE NUMBER 1992-02
THE TOWN OF WASHBURN
SNOWMOBILE ORDINANCE

The Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, does hereby ordain as follows:

Repeal of previous ordinances All existing snowmobile and combination Snowmobile and ATV ordinances are hereby repealed.
The following town roads, or portions thereof, are hereby designated as snowmobile routes, provided that such designation with respect to each such road, or portion thereof, shall not take effect until such road, or portion thereof, has been properly signed as required by law.
2.1 Pursuant to Wis. Stats. 350.02(2)5, all town roads in the Town of Washburn are hereby designated as snowmobile routes except as follows:

2.1.1. Maple Hill Drive from Hokanson Road West to Church Corner Road

2.1.2.Maple Hill Drive from the northwest corner of section 28, then continuing east to Church Corner Road

2.1.3. Landfill Road

3. Effective date. This ordinance shall take effect upon passage and posting.

4. The town clerk shall send copies of this Ordinance to the Bayfield County Sheriff: Philip Wallace, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Spooner Wisconsin: and Joe Johanik, Local Wisconsin department of Natural Resources enforcement officer.

Adopted this 4th day of February, 1992 by the Town Board of the Town of Washburn, Bayfield County, Wisconsin.

Signed:
Timm Retzloff, Acting Chairman

Attested by
Philip E. Tetzner, Clerk