City of Wisconsin Rapids - Zoning Districts

B1 Downtown Commercial

This district is primarily intended to accommodate and create a high level of employment and business activity consisting of large- and small-scale uses. Smaller retail stores and specialty shops are common along with indoor attractions. Although professional services are allowed, they are less common. Sidewalk cafes are common during the warmer months of the year. The wide range of permissible uses and development standards are intended to provide significant incentives for infill development, redevelopment, and the continued economic viability of existing development. Residential uses can occur in this district primarily on the upper levels of buildings. Parking is available on the street and in nearby public parking lots and garages. There is a balanced mix of one- and multi-story buildings.

B2 General Commercial

This district is primarily intended to accommodate a wide range of large- and small-scale commercial development generally on or near a major arterial along with compatible community and civic uses.

B3 Neighborhood Commercial

This district is intended to accommodate low-intensity commerial uses in a residential setting.

B5 Mixed Use Commercial

This district is intended to be applied exclusively to those areas depicted on the city's adopted land use plan map as "general mixed use." These areas have been determined, via the city's comprehensive master planning process, to potentially be appropriated for a variety of land uses given the character of the existing development pattern in the area, the proximity of the area to major transportation facilities, and the availability of blocks of land which are sufficiently large to allow for integrated, coordinated, comprehensive site planning and mixing of compatible, well-planned land uses.

C1 Conservancy

This district includes those lands that are predominantly environmentally sensitive. Given the various development constraints associated with these lands, development is restricted to land uses compatible with these constraints.

I1 Institutional

This district is intended to accommodate institutional uses, whether maintained by the City, another governmental body, or a private business, that are deemed to be a permanent use. This district is located in and adjoining residential areas of the City where such uses are consistent with existing and planned residential uses.

M1 General Industrial

This district is intended to accommodate industrial, manufacturing, and storage where most of the activities are conducted within an enclosed building. Compatible community and civic uses are also allowed.

M2 Heavy Industrial

This district is intended to accommodate industrial, manufacturing, and storage uses where some or all the activities are conducted outside of an enclosed building. Compatible community and civic uses are also allowed.

P1 Park and Recreation

This district is intended to accommodate outdoor recreation, whether maintained by the City, another governmental body, or a private business, that are deemed to be a permanent use. This district is located in and adjoining residential areas of the City where such uses are consistent with existing and planned residential uses.

PDD-01 Riverview

PDD which was most recently adopted by the City Council on 1-16-2018 based on the B-2, General Business District. Specific Conditions which apply to the District are:

Conditions of Approval

1. The zoning exceptions granted through this PUD amendment are limited to:
a. The required setback from the south property line along East Riverview Expressway is reduced from 25 feet down to 0 feet for those portions of the hospital constructed prior to January 1, 2018.
b. Parking and vehicle use areas existing prior to January 1, 2018 may be located up to the south property line along East Riverview Expressway.
c. An ambulance garage shall be a permitted use.
2. The ambulance garage shall be constructed in conformance with the site and building plans submitted by Eppstein Uhen Architects. Materials used on the exterior of the building shall be similar to the adjacent single-family home. Ambulances entering the garage shall not sound a horn or alarm.
3. Construction staging shall take place on Riverview Hospital Association owned property only, unless otherwise approved by the City Council.
4. The existing conditions outlined in the previous PUD approvals of 2003, 2007, and 2013 shall still apply. However, the PUD boundaries previously set shall be modified as shown on the attached Exhibit Map.
5. The applicant shall in good faith, continue discussions with the City regarding the possibility of vacating portions of Dewey Street and Hill Street and the use or vacation of portions of the East Riverview Expressway with the goal of reaching an agreement on the items by the end of 2018.
6. An Emergency Fire Lane/Access Plan shall be prepared and submitted to the City for review and approval as part of any site plans and prior to commencement of any further construction of buildings or modifications to accessways in the PUD district. Said plan shall include minimum requirements for maintaining fire and police access to the hospital and associated uses within the PUD.
7. Compliance with all other applicable codes and ordinances

This zoning district is established in the zoning code, but it is not currently applied to any properties. (Help_200)

PDD-02 Ludwig

PDD which was adopted by the City Council on 11-6-2007 based on the R-3, Multiple-family Residential. Specific Conditions which apply to the District are:
1. Lighting in the parking area be residential in nature and impacts from vehicle headlights be addressed.
2. Well utilized for filling onsite ponds shall be located near the community center and shall not exceed 50 gallons per minute.
3. Uses permitted shall be a CBRF, Nursing Home, Senior Housing Apartments, and Condominiums consistent with the plans submitted.

This zoning district is established in the zoning code, but it is not currently applied to any properties. (Help_200)

PDD-03 YMCA

PDD which was adopted by the City Council on 11-21-2017 based on the B-2, General Business District. Specific Conditions which apply to the District are:

Conditions of Approval

1. The Planned Unit Development is approved subject to final site plan review by the Planning Commission prior to any site work. If the project is completed in phases, each phase shall obtain site plan approval. The final site plan approval(s) shall be in substantial conformance with the schematic plans submitted by gro, dated August 16, 2016 and the PUD conditions of approval.
2. Landscaping for each phase of the PUD shall be provided at the following levels in accordance with the attached landscaping points table:
a. Building Foundation Landscaping: A minimum of 40 points of landscaping shall be provided for each 100 feet of building foundation perimeter.
b. Parking Lot Landscaping: A minimum of 100 points of landscaping shall be provided for each 10,000 square feet of paved surface.
c. Street Frontage Landscaping: A minimum of 60 points of landscaping shall be provided for each 100 linear feet of road frontage.
Additional landscaping shall be provided to further screen the dumpster and ground mounted mechanicals areas.
3. Existing cross access and circulation easements shall be taken into consideration during final engineering and site design as well as any subdivision plats or Certified Survey Maps.
4. Trash enclosures of similar building materials to the primary building shall be constructed to contain all dumpsters on site.
5. The exterior siding materials of any buildings shall be masonry/stone/precast. Use of different materials and/or colors may be utilized to visually highlight the overall building design.
6. Freestanding signs for the development shall be monument style, not exceed 125 square feet for a single tenant or 175 square feet for multiple tenants, and be constructed of materials designed to complement the buildings. Size and location of building signs shall comply with the restrictions applicable within the B-2, General Commercial District.
7. Animated portions of any freestanding sign shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet. Messages on the animated portion shall remain static for a minimum of six (6) seconds and changes in message shall be accomplished in less than one (1) second. Flashing messages are prohibited. The animated sign shall have either an automatic or manual dimming feature and that feature shall be enabled.
8. On-site lighting shall be provided at a minimum level of 0.2 footcandles within all parking and vehicle use areas. Lighting shall not exceed 0.2 footcandles at any right-of-way line.
9. A minimum of one parking space per 250 square feet of area devoted to Community Center use (YMCA and Boys & Girls Club) shall be provided. A minimum of 1 space per examination room plus 1 space per 300 square feet of floor area not devoted to examination areas shall be provided for Health Care Clinic use (VA Center). All other uses shall comply with the parking standards set by the Planning Commission in the final site plan approval process.
10. Impervious areas shall not exceed 80% of any lot within the Planned Unit Development. No building shall exceed 60% building coverage.
11. The zoning exceptions granted through this Planned Unit Development are limited to:
a. Only the following uses identified on the schematic design are allowed by right within the Planned Unit Development:
i. Public and Semi-Public Uses - Specifically the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, VA Center, and Community Theatre.
ii. Outdoor Recreation - Specifically a public plaza and a recreational field.
iii. Animated Sign for the Public and Semi-Public Uses
iv. Multi-family Residential - Specifically located on Parcels 34-02581 & 34-02582 with commencement of construction no later than December 31, 2018.
b. Existing Buildings may remain at less than the required 25-foot street setback from 4th Avenue South and Johnson Street.
Additional Development on the subject property shall require amendment to the PUD and Site Plan Approval.
12. The applicant shall make a future dedication of that portion of the former Hale Street right of way which is currently located in said PUD. Said dedication shall be noted in any Certified Survey Map or Subdivision of the subject properties.
13. Compliance with all other applicable codes and ordinances.

This zoning district is established in the zoning code, but it is not currently applied to any properties. (Help_200)

PDD-04 Centralia

PDD which was adopted by the City Council on 12-18-2018 based on the B-2, General Business District. Specific Conditions which apply to the District are:

Conditions of Approval

1. This approval includes both the General Development Plan for the overall district and the Precise Implementation Plan for the senior housing and city parking lot. Additional future development will need to pursue Precise Implementation Plan approval.
2. The senior housing and city parking lot projects shall be developed in substantial conformance with the Civil and Architectural Plans by Excel dated November 12, 2018.
3. Landscaping shall be provided in substantial conformance with the landscaping plan by Excel dated November 12, 2018. If external dumpsters or refuse containers are provided, additional landscaping and screening shall be provided in compliance with Section 11.06.203(13) of the Zoning Code.
4. Existing parking, cross access and circulation easements shall be taken into consideration during final engineering and site design.
5. Freestanding signs for the senior housing development shall be monument style, not exceed 40 square feet, and be constructed of materials designed to complement the buildings.
6. On-site lighting shall be provided at a minimum level of 0.2 footcandles within all parking and vehicle use areas. Lighting shall not exceed 0.2 footcandles at any adjacent residential property line.
7. A minimum of one parking space per dwelling unit shall be provided for the senior housing development. A minimum of 110 spaces shall be provided for the Centralia Center in the city parking lot.
8. The development shall comply with the items contained within the Development Agreement between the City of Wisconsin Rapids and Arbor Terrace Wisconsin Rapids LLC, approved by the City Council on July 17, 2018.
9. The development shall comply with the PDD Recommendations from the Health Impact Assessment.
10. The Planned Development District shall be developed in accordance with the applicable B-2, General Commercial District regulations with the following exceptions and modifications:
a. The following additional use is allowed by right:
i. Multi-family, more than 15 units, subject to the regulations of the R-4, Multiple-Family High Density Residential District except as modified herein:
1. A minimum of 1,000 square feet of lot area shall be provided per unit.
2. Minimum floor area for a one-bedroom unit shall be 625 square feet.
3. Maximum building height shall not exceed 65 feet.
b. The following setback exceptions are permitted:
i. A minimum 5 feet front yard setback for any structure along 7th Avenue South.
ii. The existing setbacks and encroachments for the Centralia Center and its attachments shall be permitted - rear setback, corner side setback, side setback.
c. The following landscaping exceptions shall be applicable:
i. Modify 11.16.42 for the senior housing development to reduce the required landscaping points to 180.
ii. Modify 11.16.44 for the city parking lot reconstruction to reduce the required landscaping points to 300.
d. The following driveway exception shall be applicable:
i. Modify 11.06.65(e) for the entrance off of 3rd Avenue South to allow a driveway width of 39 feet.
11. Compliance with all other applicable codes and ordinances.

This zoning district is established in the zoning code, but it is not currently applied to any properties. (Help_200)

PDD-05 PDD-05 County Campus and Public Safety Facility

This zoning district is established in the zoning code, but it is not currently applied to any properties. (Help_200)

R1 Single-Family Residential

This district is intended to accommodate single-family dwellings along with compatible community and civic uses.

R2 Mixed Residential

This district is intended to accommodate single-family dwellings and duplex units along with compatible community and civic uses.

R3 Multi-family Medium Density Residential

This district is intended to accommodate medium density housing consisting of multi-family buildings and townhomes with 3 to 15 dwelling units in any given project. Compatible community and civic uses may also be located in the district.

R4 Multi-family High Density Residential

This district is intended to accommodate high density housing consisting of multi-family buildings and townhomes with more than 15 dwelling units in any given project. Compatible community and civic uses may also be located in the district.

This zoning district is established in the zoning code, but it is not currently applied to any properties. (Help_200)

R8 Manufactured Home Park

This district is intended to accommodate mobile homes and/or manufactured homes as part of a unified project, which may also include compatible community and civic uses.

This zoning district is established in the zoning code, but it is not currently applied to any properties. (Help_200)

RR Rural Residential

This district is intended to accommodate single-family dwellings on larger lots, limited agricultural uses, and other compatible land uses.

Wisconsin Rapids

Zoning Code | Zoning Districts