Webinars provide the same planning and zoning training as our workshops but in remote format, making them accessible statewide.
Previously held webinar presentations are available as a recording at no charge. Webinar recordings are approximately 1 hour in length. All recordings include the webinar video and materials.
Current Offerings
Planning & Zoning Summer Webinar Series 2024 (June – July)
This webinar series is designed for planning and zoning staff and new and continuing officials to learn about their roles and responsibilities related to planning and zoning.
Cost: $20 (per session).
Webinars are recorded and available within a few days of the presentation.
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Evening Sessions (6:00 – 7:00 PM)
Introduction to the Plan Commission, Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (6:00 – 7:00 pm)
Introduces three primary tools for land use decision-making: the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision ordinance.
Introduction to the Zoning Board, Wednesday , July 10, 2024 (6:00 – 7:00 pm)
Looks at how zoning board members act like judges and how their decisions impact communities. It also takes a deep dive into variance decisions including how to create a complete record for the courts.
Noon Time Sessions (12:00 – 1:00 PM)
Zoning as a Tool to Protect Groundwater, Tuesday, June 25, 2024 (Noon – 1:00 pm)
Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of zoning as a tool to protect groundwater. Covers wellhead protection ordinances, zoning options for high nitrogen uses, and minimum lot sizes for homes on septic systems.
Planning & Zoning for Housing, Thursday, June 27, 2024 (Noon – 1:00 pm)
Communities across the state are struggling with housing supply and affordability. Learn simple steps your community can take to promote the types of housing you need.
Updating Your Comprehensive Plan, Tuesday, July 9, 2024 (Noon – 1:00 pm)
Learn about the comprehensive plan, legal requirements for planning, and options for updating your plan to address issues that matter to your community. Walk away with ideas to get started with updates to your plan.
Town Role in Rural Land Divisions, Thursday, July 11, 2024 (Noon – 1:00 pm)
Designed for towns with and without local land division or subdivision ordinances, this session will review the town role in plat review and options for towns to supplement county regulations related to rural land division.
Large Scale Solar Project Decision-Makers & Criteria, Thursday, July 25, 2024 (Noon – 1:00 pm)
Hear about who decides on large solar projects, and what the process and decision-making criteria are. We’ll highlight a few recent examples.
Planning & Zoning for Electric Vehicle Chargers, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (Noon – 1:00 pm)
Hear about how communities across Wisconsin are responding to the quickly growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV chargers, and planning for future increases. Community planning and detailed options for including EV chargers in zoning ordinances.
Introductory Planning & Zoning Webinars
Previously Recorded
Introductory webinars deliver basic information about zoning, how zoning boards and plan commissions operate, and roles and the responsibilities of board members. All recordings include the webinar video, audio only, and materials.
Zoning Fundamentals
This webinar takes a look at what zoning is and why most Wisconsin communities have adopted it. The webinar also covers the roles of different local government bodies involve in adopting, amending and administering zoning.
Introduction to the Plan Commission
Introduces the three primary tools for land use decision-making: the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision ordinance. It also looks at zoning decisions and the rules that apply to ordinance adoption and implementation.
Introduction to the Zoning Board
Covers decisions of the zoning board of adjustment or appeals, including variances, conditional uses, and administrative appeals. It also looks at the quasi-judicial role of the zoning board and how their decisions affect the community.
Advanced Planning & Zoning Webinars
Previously Recorded
Advanced webinar sessions cover specific zoning topics including conditional uses, variances, shoreland, groundwater, and updating the zoning ordinance. All recordings include the webinar video, audio only, and materials.
Floodplain Webinar Series (2024)
This 3-part series introduces participants to basic tools and objectives of floodplain and coastal management and takes a closer look at ordinance adoption and administration in Wisconsin.
Meeting & Hearing Conduct
Examines meeting vignettes to learn how to conduct more effective meetings and hearings. Discusses the difference between legislative and quasi-judicial decision-makers and the importance of creating an effective record of planning and zoning.
New Rules for Conditional Uses
Reviews new rules that apply to conditional uses. Learn how to apply the new standards, and discuss how to update your ordinance, forms, and procedures.
Refreshing Your Zoning Ordinance
From a simple rezone to complex ordinance updates, learn about the process for updating your zoning ordinance. Take a closer look at how communities are addressing new and emerging land uses, replacing long lists of dated uses with use categories, and incorporating graphics and other user-focused features.
Shoreland Zoning
As a Tool to Protect Property Values, Fish, Lakes, and Streams.
See what shoreland zoning standards accomplish. Take a photo tour of waterfront properties and discuss how they are likely to impact the lake or river. We’ve developed a new graphic to illustrate the benefits to fish, lakes and rivers.
Subdivision Regulations
Subdivision regulations provide a legal process for dividing and recording land. In this session, we’ll review state requirements for subdivisions, options for local land division ordinances, and the role of local government officials in reviewing plats and certified survey maps.
Variances
Designed for planning and zoning staff and the zoning board of adjustment or appeals, this session will take a closer look at variances. Learn about different types of variances, legal standards for granting a variance, and how to create a complete record for the courts.
Zoning as a Tool to Protect Groundwater
Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of zoning as a tool to protect groundwater. Topics include minimum lot sizes for homes on septic systems, zoning options for high nitrogen uses, and wellhead protection ordinances.