Guide to Community Planning in Wisconsin by Brian W. Ohm

Chapter 2:  Types of Plans & Overview of Implementation Tools
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2.7  Official Maps

Cities, villages, and towns may adopt official maps.(79)  These maps, adopted by ordinance or resolution, may show existing and planned streets, highways, historic districts, parkways, parks, playgrounds, railroad rights of way, waterways and public transit facilities. The map may include a waterway only if it is included in a comprehensive surface water drainage plan. No building permit may be issued to construct or enlarge any building within the limits of these mapped areas except pursuant to conditions identified in the law.

Counties have limited official mapping powers. Counties may adopt highway-width maps showing the location and width of proposed streets or highways and the widths of any existing streets or highways which are planned to be expanded.(80)  The municipality affected by the street or highway must approve the map. Counties may also prepare plans for the future platting of lands, or for the future location of streets, highways, or parkways in the unincorporated areas of the county.(81) These plans do not apply to the extraterritorial plat approval jurisdiction of a city or village unless the city or village consents.

Official maps are not used frequently because few communities plan anything but major thoroughfares and parks in detail in advance of the imminent development of a neighborhood.

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(79) Wis. Stat. § 62.23(6) for cities, villages and towns with village powers via Wis. Stat. § 61.35. See also Wis. Stat. § 60.61(2)(e) for towns located in counties which have not enacted a county zoning ordinance. For a detailed explanation of the official mapping function of local government see the publication entitled Official Mapping Guide, prepared by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in 1996 (Planning Guide No. 2, Second Edition).
(80) Wis. Stat. § 80.64(1).
(81) Wis. Stat. § 236.46.

Wisconsin Statutes