This chapter is adopted under the authority granted by §§ 59.69, 59.692, 87.30, 91.30 to 91.50, and 281.31, Wis. Stats., and amendments thereto.
This chapter shall be known as, referred to, and cited as the "Zoning Ordinance, Adams County, Wisconsin" and is hereinafter referred to as "this chapter."
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety, morals, prosperity, aesthetics, and general welfare of Adams County, Wisconsin.
It is the intent of this chapter to regulate the use of all structures, lands, and waters and to:
A. 
Regulate lot coverage and the size and location of all structures to prevent overcrowding and to provide adequate sunlight, air, sanitation, and drainage;
B. 
Regulate population density and distribution to avoid sprawl or undue concentration or overcrowding and to facilitate the provision of adequate public services and utilities;
C. 
Protect and preserve prime agricultural land and to maintain a viable agricultural base;
D. 
Regulate parking, loading, and access to lessen congestion and promote the safety and efficiency of streets and highways;
E. 
Secure safety from fire, panic, flooding, pollution, contamination, and other dangers;
F. 
Stabilize and protect property values;
G. 
Preserve and protect the natural and man-made aesthetic characteristics of the County;
H. 
Prevent and control erosion, sedimentation, and other pollution of the surface and subsurface waters;
I. 
Maintain safe and healthful water conditions;
J. 
Prevent flood-caused damage to persons and property and minimize expenditures for flood relief and flood-control projects;
K. 
Protect the traffic-carrying capacity of existing and proposed arterial streets and highways;
L. 
Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public facilities and utilities;
M. 
Promote the health and general welfare of the County;
N. 
Implement those municipal, County, watershed, and regional comprehensive plans or components of such plans adopted by the County;
O. 
Provide and protect a variety of suitable commercial and industrial sites;
P. 
Provide for the administration and enforcement of this chapter; and
Q. 
Provide penalties for the violation of this chapter.
A. 
This chapter and the various parts, sections, subsections, and clauses are declared to be severable. If any part, section, subsection, clause, provision, or portion of this chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected.
B. 
If any application of this chapter to a particular structure, land, or water is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not be applicable to any other structure, land, or water not specifically included in the judgment.
It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul, impair, or interfere with any existing easements, covenants, deed restrictions, agreements, ordinances, rules, regulations, or permits previously adopted or issued pursuant to law. However, wherever this chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall govern.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements and shall be liberally construed in favor of the County and shall not be construed a limitation or repeal of any other power granted by the Wisconsin Statutes.