Waterway Home

About Us

Activity Groups

Permit Application Directory

Related Programs

Designated Waters

Online Help

Waterway & Wetland Permits: Beach Maintenance

Landowners || Contractors || Municipalities || Agriculturalists || Public Involvement || County Contacts

“Due to low water levels, I have some additional beach areas on my property that I would like to clean and maintain for personal use. Does this require a permit?” Lower water levels the past few years have left many lake front property owners with additional exposed beach areas below the ordinary high water mark (OHWM). These lake front owners get to enjoy the exclusive right to utilize these exposed areas, however these areas are protected and activities in these areas, even when temporarily high and dry, may require approval and or permits.

Beach Maintenance


DNR Photo

Determine if a Permit is Required

Don't have Flash player? Visit our text version of the "Determine Permit Required" beach maintenance decision instead. In addition, here are the current beach maintenance permitting and exemption application materials:


Beach Maintenance
Application Materials

• Water Resources Application for Project Permits (WRAPP) [#3500-053, PDF 46KB]

• Fee Sheet [#3500-053A, PDF 93KB]

• General Permit Attachments:

• Individual Permit Applications:

Beach Maintenance
Additional Materials

Beach Maintenance Sample Drawings:

Beach Maintenance Exemption Materials:

In most cases you can remove washed up debris, vegetation, etc. by hand without any department approvals. However, placement of any material below the ordinary high water mark OHWM) requires a permit.

  • Beach Maintenance Activities Fact sheet [PDF 79KB]

  • Web page about the Ordinary High Water Mark

    • Please send all application materials to the county where your project is located.


    Laws

    Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.123, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 320 [exit DNR], [PDF 168KB].

    Local permits and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations may also apply. We advise you to contact your local zoning office and your regional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office [exit DNR].

    Last Revised: Friday August 21 2009