Shoreline Zoning and Native Vegetative Buffers
Image provided by Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA)
Description of Shoreland Zoning
The legislature of Wisconsin has delegated responsibility to each county for the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions and prevention/control of water pollution. This includes protecting spawning grounds, fish and aquatic life, controlling building sites, the placement of structures and land uses, and preservation of shore cover and natural beauty.
Below are a few requirements for preserving your shoreland:
The legislature of Wisconsin has delegated responsibility to each county for the maintenance of safe and healthful conditions and prevention/control of water pollution. This includes protecting spawning grounds, fish and aquatic life, controlling building sites, the placement of structures and land uses, and preservation of shore cover and natural beauty.
Below are a few requirements for preserving your shoreland:
- Land that extends from the ordinary high-water mark of a navigable waterway to a minimum of 35 feet inland shall be designated as the "vegetative buffer zone". Removal of vegetation in the vegetative buffer zone is prohibited. Some exceptions apply with approval from the Zoning Administers.
- No excavating and/or grading is allowed within the vegetative buffer zone, (unless its associated with a permitted use).
- Shoreline property owners are allowed to cut vegetation in your designated access and viewing corridor which can be up to 35’ wide for every 100’ of shoreline frontage. Lots with less than 100 feet of shoreline frontage are allowed an access and viewing corridor which is equal to 35% of the shoreline frontage.
- You need to obtain approval to cut trees and other vegetation outside of your designated access and viewing corridor. Contact Planning and Zoning to obtain approval.
- If you have any questions about the rules surrounding shoreland vegetation or other shoreland regulations please contact Chris Mrdutt at 715-346-1334 or by email at [email protected].
OHWM = Ordinary High Water Mark
Why Should We Keep These Native Vegetative Buffers?
The transition area between land and water on your shoreland property (the Vegetative Buffer Zone) is extremely beneficial to the health of our lake when maintained with native plants, but can be detrimental when it becomes manicured lawn or another flat/disturbed surface.
Did you know? The Shoreland Stewardship Series publication states “Building a home and establishing a lawn can cause seven times the amount of phosphorus and 18 times the amount of sediment to enter the water compared to a natural shoreline.” And phosphorus is one of the leading causes of Blue Green Algae.
A vegetative buffer zone slows the rapid movement of water which carry excess nutrients and sediment from your property and prevents these contaminants from entering the nearby waterbody. The roots from the native vegetation help with bank stabilization and assist in preventing erosion from wave action. The taller native vegetation will also deter wildlife, especially Canada geese, from using your property as a restroom.
Helpful tip: You may want to place a border, rock for example, at the 35ft mark so you know where to stop mowing your lawn.
The transition area between land and water on your shoreland property (the Vegetative Buffer Zone) is extremely beneficial to the health of our lake when maintained with native plants, but can be detrimental when it becomes manicured lawn or another flat/disturbed surface.
Did you know? The Shoreland Stewardship Series publication states “Building a home and establishing a lawn can cause seven times the amount of phosphorus and 18 times the amount of sediment to enter the water compared to a natural shoreline.” And phosphorus is one of the leading causes of Blue Green Algae.
A vegetative buffer zone slows the rapid movement of water which carry excess nutrients and sediment from your property and prevents these contaminants from entering the nearby waterbody. The roots from the native vegetation help with bank stabilization and assist in preventing erosion from wave action. The taller native vegetation will also deter wildlife, especially Canada geese, from using your property as a restroom.
Helpful tip: You may want to place a border, rock for example, at the 35ft mark so you know where to stop mowing your lawn.
How Are We Doing Lake Helen? Shoreland Vegetation Survey
Surveys of the shoreline health for lakes in Portage County are conducted in the summer months by the UWSP-Center for Watershed Science and Education, and the Portage County Planning and Zoning Department. Lake Helen was last surveyed in July 2025, marking the first time it had been surveyed since 2012.
While the data gathered and methods used have changed in the decade + since our first survey, some comparisons can be made, specifically with regard to the presence and health of the vegetative buffers around the lake.
In 2025, of the 96 parcels surveyed, the majority recorded a 76 to 100% disturbance in the vegetative buffer zone (red), while only 20% of parcels recorded a less than 25% disturbance (dark green).
For several years, we have encouraged homeowners to take actions to "restore the shore", and although efforts are still underway, we have made some notable improvements through best practice installation thanks to the efforts of dedicated property owners. (See below and get more information on the Native Plantings and Rain Gardens page for highlights.)
While the data gathered and methods used have changed in the decade + since our first survey, some comparisons can be made, specifically with regard to the presence and health of the vegetative buffers around the lake.
In 2025, of the 96 parcels surveyed, the majority recorded a 76 to 100% disturbance in the vegetative buffer zone (red), while only 20% of parcels recorded a less than 25% disturbance (dark green).
For several years, we have encouraged homeowners to take actions to "restore the shore", and although efforts are still underway, we have made some notable improvements through best practice installation thanks to the efforts of dedicated property owners. (See below and get more information on the Native Plantings and Rain Gardens page for highlights.)
Shoreland vegetation survey around Lake Helen conducted in summer 2012.
Ready to Restore Your Shore? Grant Funding is Available!
Got a lotta lawn? If you would like to restore your vegetative buffer zone and would like technical assistance to do so, please contact Andrew Senderhauf, Portage County Land and Water Conservation ([email protected]). You may be eligible for grant funding!
How it works:
The Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, Land and Water Conservation Division applies for the WI DNR, Healthy Lakes and Rivers Grants annually. This grant covers up to $25,000 for an eligible applicant (Portage County) applying on behalf of multiple property owners who can receive up to $1000 for each "best practice" they install.
There are 5 conservation "best practices" included in this WI DNR grant:
Since 2021 Lake Helen residents have shown a collective effort to revitalize our lake and their properties with a goal to install 29 Healthy Lakes and Rivers practices - and we've crushed it! Through 2026 there have been 18 shoreland native plantings (350 sq ft) and 4 rain gardens planted/committed on 13 unique properties, and another 12 fish stick structures installed. Keep it up Lake Helen!
For those interested in a best practice grant, applications can now be submitted any time of year (for the following year). Contact Andrew Senderhauf to schedule a site visit/consultation, and for resources/forms (715-346-1334 or [email protected]).
How it works:
The Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, Land and Water Conservation Division applies for the WI DNR, Healthy Lakes and Rivers Grants annually. This grant covers up to $25,000 for an eligible applicant (Portage County) applying on behalf of multiple property owners who can receive up to $1000 for each "best practice" they install.
There are 5 conservation "best practices" included in this WI DNR grant:
- Native planting
- Fish sticks
- Rain garden
- Diversion
- Rock infiltration
Since 2021 Lake Helen residents have shown a collective effort to revitalize our lake and their properties with a goal to install 29 Healthy Lakes and Rivers practices - and we've crushed it! Through 2026 there have been 18 shoreland native plantings (350 sq ft) and 4 rain gardens planted/committed on 13 unique properties, and another 12 fish stick structures installed. Keep it up Lake Helen!
For those interested in a best practice grant, applications can now be submitted any time of year (for the following year). Contact Andrew Senderhauf to schedule a site visit/consultation, and for resources/forms (715-346-1334 or [email protected]).
RESOURCES (click on each site below for more information):
https://healthylakeswi.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/366/2020/06/HealthyLakesbrochure4-May2024web.pdf
www.healthylakeswi.com/best-practices/#350
*Grant funding available annually, fact sheet of practice requirements, technical guide with a step by step process, decision tool worksheet to see if this practice will work on your property
www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLakes/Documents/ecology/shoreland/background/what_is_a_shoreland_buffer.pdf
*WI DNR, UW Extension, WI Lakes Partnership brochure from 1999 regarding “The Shoreland Stewardship Series”
https://healthylakeswi.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/366/2020/06/HealthyLakesbrochure4-May2024web.pdf
www.healthylakeswi.com/best-practices/#350
*Grant funding available annually, fact sheet of practice requirements, technical guide with a step by step process, decision tool worksheet to see if this practice will work on your property
www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLakes/Documents/ecology/shoreland/background/what_is_a_shoreland_buffer.pdf
*WI DNR, UW Extension, WI Lakes Partnership brochure from 1999 regarding “The Shoreland Stewardship Series”