Ordinance 2025–04

T0WN OF HARTFORD

Washington County, Wisconsin

3360 Highway K

Hartford, WI 53027

Ordinance No. 2025--04

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS UNDER SECTION 14.06 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE TOWN OF HARTFORD, WASHINGTON COUNTY, WISCONSIN.

WHEREAS, WHEREAS,

The Town of Hartford is a body corporate and politic; and the Town Board has determined that such commercial permits and inspections are a practice is in the best interest of the general public and Town residents, and has directed that the Ordinances of the Town of Hartford be amended accordingly;

 
   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Town Board of the Town of Hartford, Washington County, Wisconsin, that Chapter 14 Building Code, of the Town of Hartford Code of Ordinance is hereby amended as follows:

14.06 amended to include and read as follows:

Section 1 Permit Required. No owner or contractor may commence construction of any building or mechanical system prior to obtaining a valid permit(s) from the municipal Building Inspector.

        (1)        Generally. The construction which shall require a permit includes, but is not limited to:

  1. New 1 and 2 family and commercial buildings including agricultural buildings, detached structures, decks, residential accessory buildings and detached garages.
  2. Additions increasing the physical dimensions of a building including decks.
  3. Alterations to the building structure, cost shall include market labor value, or alterations to the building’s heating, electrical or plumbing systems.
  4. Replacement of major building equipment including furnaces and central air conditioners, water heaters and any other major piece of equipment shall require a permit as noted in the Town of Hartford Zoning Ordinance.
  5. Any electrical wiring for new construction or remodeling excluding new wiring for existing industrial and manufacturing facilities that do not require State mandated building plan review.
  6. Any HVAC for new construction or remodeling.
  7. Any plumbing for new construction or remodeling.
  8. Any new or re-wired electrical service, including services for agricultural buildings.

Section 2 Adoption of State Codes. The following Chapters of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, as well as all subsequent revisions, are adopted by the Town of Hartford and shall be enforced by the Building Inspector.

 

a.

Ch. SPS 302.31

Plan Review Fee Schedule

 

 

b.

Ch. SPS 305

Credentials

 

 

c.

Ch. SPS 316

Electrical Code

 

 

d.

Ch. SPS 320-325

Uniform Dwelling Code

 

e.

Ch. SPS 327

Campgrounds

f.

Ch. SPS 361-366

Commercial Building Code

g.

Ch. SPS 375-379

Buildings Constructed Prior to 1914

h.

Ch. SPS 381-387

Uniform Plumbing Code

             

Section 3 Certified Municipality Status. The Town of Hartford has adopted the Certified Municipality Status as described in SPS 361.60 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

  1. Responsibilities. The Town shall assume the following responsibilities for the Department of Safety and Professional Services:
  2. Provide inspection of commercial buildings with certified commercial building inspectors.

2, Provide plan examination of commercial buildings with certified commercial building inspectors.

  1. Plan Examination. Drawings, specifications and calculations for all types of buildings and structures except state-owned buildings and structures to be constructed within the limits of the Town shall be submitted if the plans are for any of the following:
    1. Provide inspection of commercial buildings with certified commercial building inspectors.
    2. A new building or structure containing less than 50,000 cubic feet of total volume.
    3. An addition to a building or structure where the area of the addition results in the entire building or structure containing less than 50,000 cubic feet of total volume.
    4. An addition containing no more than 2,500 square feet of total floor area and no more than one floor level provided the largest roof span does not exceed 18 feet and the exterior wall does not exceed 12 feet.
    5. An alteration of a space involving less than 100,000 cubic feet of total volume.
    6. A certified municipality may waive its jurisdiction for the plan review of a specific project or types of projects or components thereof in which case plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Department of review for approval.
    7. The Department may waive its jurisdiction for the plan review of a specific project where agreed to by a certified municipality in which case plans and specifications shall be submitted to the certified municipality for review and approval.
    8. Plan Submission Procedures. All commercial buildings, structures and alterations including new buildings and additions less than 25,000 cubic feet require plan submission as follows:
    9. Building permits application.
    10. Application for review — SBD-118, or equivalent.
    11. Fees per Table SPS 302.31-2 and SPS 302.31. ii. Fees applying to commercial projects.
    12. Four sets of plans.
    13. Signed and sealed per SPS 361.31 ii. One set of specifications. iii. Component and system plans.
    14. Calculations showing code compliance.

Section 4          Building — HVAC- Electrical- Plumbing Inspector

  1. Creation and Appointment. There is hereby created the office of Building Inspector. The Building Inspector shall be appointed by the Town. The Building Inspector shall be certified for inspection purposes by the Department in the required categories specific under SPS 305, Wisconsin Administrative Code.
  2. The Building Inspector may employ, assign or appoint as necessary assistant inspectors. Any assistant hired to inspect buildings shall be certified as defined in SPS 305, Wisconsin Administrative Code by the Department.
  3. The Building Inspector shall administer and enforce all provisions of this ordinance and the zoning code.
  4. The Building Inspector or an authorized certified agent of the Building Inspector may, at all reasonable hours, enter any public or private premises for required inspection purposes, The Building Inspector may require the production of the permit for any building, electrical, plumbing or HVAC work, No person shall interfere with or refuse to permit access to any such premises to the Inspector or agent of the Inspector while in the performance of the duties herein, In the event that the Inspector is refused access to any such premises, the Inspector is authorized to apply for a special inspection warrant pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Sec. 66.0119.

Section 5           Violations and Penalties.

  1. No person, entity, or firm may construct, remodel, demolish, or repair any building in a manner that violates any provision of this ordinance or the zoning code.
  2. Every person, entity, or firm that violates this code shall, upon conviction, forfeit not less than $25.00 or more than $1,000 for each day of said non-compliance, together with the actual costs of prosecution.
  3. Violations discovered by the Building Inspector shall be corrected within 30 days, or more if allowed by the Inspector, after written notice is given. Violations involving life and health safety issues shall be corrected in a reasonable time frame as established by the Building Inspector.
  4. Compliance with the requirements of this ordinance is necessary to promote safety, health, and well-being of the community and the owners, occupants, and frequenters of buildings. Therefore, violations of this ordinance shall constitute a public nuisance that may be enjoined in a civil action or other legal action.

This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and posting as provided by law

Passed and Adopted by the Town of Hartford Board of Supervisors this 15th day of September 2025. Attestation:     

Ayes 3     Noes 0    Absent 0

Date Published/Posted: September 15th, 2025 (within 30 days of passed and adoption)

Attest:

Pam Beine, Town Clerk

Town of Hartford


Zoning Code Update – Open House

When: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m.

Location: Town Hall, 3360 Highway K, Town of Hartford, WI

Draft Zoning Code

Draft Zoning Map

Open House Flyer

The Town of Hartford is updating its Zoning Code and Zoning Map to reflect community goals and maintain compliance with Wisconsin Statutes.  Prior to any public hearings and formal consideration of these changes, the Town is holding a public open house to preview the draft zoning code and zoning map.

Why attend?  This open house is an opportunity for residents, landowners, and businesses to:

✅ Learn about the proposed updates.

✅ Ask questions and share feedback.

✅ Learn how the update will support farmland preservation and maintain eligibility for state tax credits.

Format:

  • Drop-in style. Visit anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
  • Interactive displays will highlight proposed zoning changes and updates, with staff available to walk you through the details.
  • Town representatives and staff will be on hand to answer questions.

 


Town of Hartford Board Members

Following the April 1st, 2025, Spring Election, the following candidates are the Town of Hartford Board Members:

–Ryan Lippert, Chairman

–Scott Lofy, Supervisor #1

–Jerry Ziegler, Supervisor #2

You are encouraged to attend the Town of Hartford monthly Board Meetings held at Hartford Town Hall on the second Monday of each month. The meetings start at 7:00 p.m. Please watch the Town of Hartford website for the agendas which are posted the Wednesday before each monthly Town Board meeting.


Spring Election Notice

TOWN OF HARTFORD

                      LOCATION AND HOURS OF POLLING PLACE

For the Spring Election to be held on April 1st, 2025, in the Town of Hartford, the following polling location will be used for the wards indicated.

 

            Town of Hartford

            3360 Hwy K                                                   Wards 1 through 5

            Hartford WI 53027

 

ALL POLLING PLACES WILL OPEN AT 7:00 A.M.

 

AND WILL CLOSE AT 8:00 P.M.

 

If you have any questions concerning your polling place, contact the municipal clerk

 

Pamela Beine

3360 Hwy K

Hartford WI 53027

(262) 673-7214

 

Office hours: Monday 9 A.M to 12 P.M. Wednesday 3 P.M. to 6 P.M.

 

All polling places are accessible to elderly and disabled voters.

 

Notice of Meeting of the Local Board of Canvassers

At the close of voting on Election Day, pursuant to the provisions of Wis. Stat. § 19.84, the Election Inspectors at each polling place will convene as the Local Canvassing Board for the purpose of conducting the local canvass pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 7.51.  This meeting will be open to the public pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 19.81-89.


NOTICE REGARDING TOWN TAX BILLS

 

ATTENTION TOWN OF HARTFORD RESIDENTS

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

Our mailing service provider had an issue with the most recent property tax bill mailing which may have caused you to not receive all of your property tax bills, but you may have received someone else’s tax bill with yours.

  Please note that the mailing service will be rectifying the situation by mailing out corrected tax envelopes with the correct number of bills.  If you would like to drop the tax bill of the unknown person in the dropbox so we can make sure the correct bill was sent to the individual it would be greatly appreciated.

If your tax envelope included all of your bills and was correct, please disregard this notice.

 

Our service provider apologizes for any confusion and inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your understanding.

Town of Hartford


Town of Hartford Closed

The Town of Hartford Town Hall will be closed Monday December 26th, 2022 in recognition of the holiday.

We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season.  

Taxes may still be mailed  or placed in the drop box.  


Town of Hartford 175th Anniversary Celebration

Please join the Town of Hartford in celebrating their 175th Anniversary.  We will have cake, soda, water and coffee.  It will take place after the Town’s Annual Meeting April 19th, 2022.  The Annual meeting starts at 7:00 P.M.