Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Wisconsin Statutes Agriculture, Food and Trade Practices (Ch. 91 to 100) § 92.15. Local regulation of livestock operations

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) In this section:

(a) “Livestock operation” means a feedlot or other facility or a pasture where animals are fed, confined, maintained or stabled.

(b) “Local governmental unit” means a political subdivision of this state, a special purpose district in this state, an instrumentality or corporation of such a political subdivision or special purpose district, a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing or an instrumentality of the state and any of the foregoing.

(2) Notwithstanding ss. 92.11 and 92.17, a local governmental unit may enact regulations of livestock operations that are consistent with and do not exceed the performance standards, prohibitions, conservation practices and technical standards under s. 281.16(3).

(3)(a) Notwithstanding ss. 92.11 and 92.17, a local governmental unit may enact regulations of livestock operations that exceed the performance standards, prohibitions, conservation practices and technical standards under s. 281.16(3) only if the local governmental unit demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or the department of natural resources that the regulations are necessary to achieve water quality standards under s. 281.15.

(b) The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and the department of natural resources shall, by rule, specify procedures for review and approval of proposed local governmental unit regulations under par. (a).

(4) A local governmental unit may not apply a regulation under sub. (2) or (3) to a livestock operation that exists on October 14, 1997, unless the local governmental unit determines, using the rules promulgated under s. 281.16(3)(e), that cost-sharing is available to the owner or operator of the livestock operation under s. 92.14 or 281.65 or from any other source.

(5) Any livestock operation that exists on October 14, 1997, and that is required to obtain a permit under s. 283.31 or that receives a notice of discharge under ch. 283 may continue to operate as a livestock operation at the same location notwithstanding s. 59.69(10)(am) or 62.23(7)(h) or any zoning ordinance enacted under s. 59.69, 60.61, 60.62, 61.35 or 62.23(7), if the livestock operation is a lawful use or a legal nonconforming use under any zoning ordinance enacted under s. 59.69, 60.61, 60.62, 61.35 or 62.23(7) on October 14, 1997.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Wisconsin Statutes Agriculture, Food and Trade Practices (Ch. 91 to 100) § 92.15. Local regulation of livestock operations - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/wi/agriculture-food-and-trade-practices-ch-91-to-100/wi-st-92-15/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard