As a Realtor in Lake Geneva, the Geneva Lake waters are of prime importance to our real estate values. These new changes attempt to protect our water quality, wildlife, and our natural beauty by placing stricter standards on new development and construction near our waterways.
The new laws are minimum standards and each County will have the authority to adopt stricter standards. While I am not aware of Walworth County’s possible changes I believe that this county will, over time, add to the restrictions to protect all of our rivers, streams, lakes and the watershed.
No.1 New impervious surface standards will limit the size of new homes and remodeling projects within 300 feet of the water.
New construction and existing homes who are looking to expand within 300 feet of the water, no more than 15% of the lot can be covered by an impervious surface. This will include blacktop, sidewalks, patios, and any surface that will not allow water to infiltrate the ground. This impervious surface limit can be raised to 30% of the lot if the property owner meets the mitigation standards established by the county. This percentage is triggered when an existing home is expanded or replaced.
If you are in an existing home that exceeds the 15% or 30% impervious surface standard, your home will be grandfathered.
Note: While many believe that these zoning regs apply only to property adjacent to waterways, not so! The regs apply to all land within 1,000 feet of a lake, pond, flowage and land within 300 feet of a stream or river. Yes, even if your building is separated from water by land, buildings or a roadway, these new rules do apply.
No: 2 will follow tomorrow.
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