Overview

The City of Port Washington has embarked on the most comprehensive rewrite of its Zoning Code since it was drafted in the mid-60’s.  The intent of the zoning code rewrite project is to make the City’s code easier to understand and administer, modernized with current best practices, and compatible with the City’s recent planning efforts including the Comprehensive Plan update and Downtown + Lakefront Master Plan.

As the City moves forward through this process, the Port Washington community is invited to participate to help ensure the new Zoning Code best serves the community’s needs.  This website will function as the central hub for the Zoning Code update where you can find the latest on the rewrite process, provide feedback, view a calendar of events, and review relevant project information. 

Why Update the Zoning Code

Current Project Timeline

• 2024: 
  • Project Start and Data Gathering
  • Research and Staff and Community Engagement
• Public Engagement Elements
  • Updates and Draft Zoning Chapters Available on City Project Website
  • Plan Commission Meetings
  • Relevant Stakeholder Meetings as Chapters Rolled Out
  • Specific Downtown Outreach Through February 2026
  • WJ Niederkorn – Walk In Meetings with City Staff – February 2026
  • Zoning Code Project Informational Meeting – April 2026
  • Monthly Updates Provided via Website and to Common Council

Updates

• May 16, 2024 - Plan Commission Update Presentation
• September 2024 - Community-Wide Zoning Survey conducted. View the results
• May 15, 2025 - Plan Commission Update Presentation

Draft Chapters For Review

• Article 1 General Provisions
• Article 2 Interpretation, Construction, Definitions
• Article 3 Administrative Bodies
• Article 4 General Procedure Requirements
• Article 5 Specific Procedural Requirements (Updated 4/13/2026)
• Article 6 Zoning Map
• Article 7 Zoning Districts
• Article 8 Alternative Development Options
• Article 9 Project-Based Districts
• Article 10 Downtown Design Overlay District
• Article 11 Historic Preservation Overlay District
• Article 12 Shoreland Wetland Overlay District
• Article 13 Shoreland Overlay District
• Article 14 Bluff Protection Overlay District
• Article 15 Environmental Corridor Overlay District
• Article 16 Land Uses
• Article 17 Performance Standards
• Article 18 Dimensional Standards
• Article 19 Environmental and Engineering Standards
• Article 20 Architectural Standards
• Article 21 Site Design Standards
• Article 22 Landscaping and Buffers
• Article 23 Parking, Loading, and Access
• Article 24 Outdoor Lighting
• Article 25 Signs
• Article 26 Nonconformities
• Article 27 Enforcement
• Appendix A1  Land Use Table (Updated 4/27/2026)
• Appendix B  Land Use Descriptions and Standards (Updated 4/27/2026
• Appendix C Dimensional Standards Tables
• Appendix E General Definitions
• Appendix F Mapping Requirements

• Plan Commission Review - Outstanding Issues

September 2026

• Plan Commission Final Draft Review & Recommend

TBD 2026

• Common Council Public Hearing & Adoption

Resources

• Existing Zoning Ordinance
• 2035 Comprehensive Plan
• Downtown + Lakefront Master Plan

Contact

Bob Harris, Director of Planning and Development | rharris@portwashingtonwi.gov