A. 
Areas regulated by this chapter shall include all the lands (referred to hereinafter as shorelands) in the unincorporated areas of Pierce County which are:
(1) 
Within 1,000 feet of the ordinary high-water mark (OHWM) of navigable lakes, ponds, or flowages.
(2) 
Within 300 feet of the OHWM of navigable rivers or streams, or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater.
B. 
The provisions of this chapter apply to regulation of the use and development of unincorporated shoreland areas. Unless specifically exempted by law, all cities, villages, towns, counties and, when § 13.48(13), Wis. Stats., applies, state agencies are required to comply with, and obtain all necessary permits under, local shoreland ordinances. The construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or repair of state highways and bridges carried out under the direction and supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is not subject to local shoreland zoning ordinances if § 30.2022(1), Wis. Stats., applies. Shoreland zoning requirements in annexed or incorporated areas are provided in § 61.353 and § 62.233, Wis. Stats.
C. 
Determinations of navigability and OHWM location shall initially be made by the Zoning Administrator. When questions arise, the Zoning Administrator shall contact the appropriate office of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a final determination of navigability or OHWM. The Zoning Administrator may work with surveyors with regard to § 59.692(1h), Wis. Stats.
D. 
Under § 281.31(2m) Wis. Stats., notwithstanding any other provision of law or administrative rule promulgated thereunder, this shoreland zoning ordinance does not apply to:
(1) 
Lands adjacent to farm drainage ditches if:
(a) 
Such lands are not adjacent to a natural navigable stream or river;
(b) 
Those parts of such drainage ditches adjacent to such lands were not navigable streams before ditching; and
(2) 
Lands adjacent to artificially constructed drainage ditches, ponds, or stormwater retention basins that are not hydrologically connected to a natural navigable water body.
The most recent version of the Wisconsin Wetland Inventory as depicted on the (DNR) Surface Water Data Viewer is made part of this chapter.
The use of any land; the size, shape, and placement of lots; the use, size, type, and location of structures on lots; the installation and maintenance of water supply and waste disposal facilities; the filling, grading, lagooning, and dredging of any lands; the cutting of shoreland vegetation; and the subdivision of lots shall be in full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Buildings and other structures shall require a permit unless otherwise expressly excluded by a provision of this chapter. Property owners, builders, and contractors are responsible for compliance with the terms of this chapter.
Unless specifically exempted by law, all cities, villages, towns, and counties are required to comply with this chapter and obtain all necessary permits. State agencies are required to comply when § 13.48(13), Wis. Stats., applies. The construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and repair of state highways and bridges by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are exempt when § 30.2022(1) Wis. Stats., applies.
The provisions of this chapter supersede any provisions in a county zoning ordinance that solely relate to shorelands. In other words, if a zoning standard only applies to lands that lie within the shoreland and applies because the lands are in shoreland, then this chapter supersedes those provisions. However, where an ordinance adopted under a statute other than § 59.692, Wis. Stats., does not solely relate to shorelands and is more restrictive than this chapter, for example a floodplain ordinance, that ordinance shall continue in full force and effect to the extent of the greater restrictions.
A. 
This chapter shall not require approval or be subject to disapproval by any town or town board.
B. 
If an existing town ordinance relating to shorelands is more restrictive than this chapter or any amendments thereto, the town ordinance continues in all respects to the extent of the greater restrictions but not otherwise.
C. 
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, or impair any existing deed restrictions, covenants, or easements. However, where this chapter imposes greater restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail.
D. 
The following provisions of the Pierce County Zoning Ordinance are hereby incorporated by reference. These provisions shall only apply to the shoreland area where they impose greater restrictions than this chapter otherwise imposes.
E. 
This chapter may establish standards to regulate matters that are not regulated in Ch. NR 115 Wis. Admin. Code, but that further the purposes of shoreland zoning as described in § 242-3 of this chapter.
F. 
Counties may not establish shoreland zoning standards in a shoreland zoning ordinance that requires any of the following:
(1) 
Approval to install or maintain outdoor lighting in shorelands, impose any fee or mitigation requirement to install or maintain outdoor lighting in shorelands, or otherwise prohibits or regulates outdoor lighting in shorelands if the lighting is designed or intended for residential use.
(2) 
Any inspection or upgrade of a structure before the sale or other transfer of the structure may be made.
G. 
The construction and maintenance of a facility is considered to satisfy the requirements of a shoreland zoning ordinance if the DNR has issued all required permits or approvals authorizing the construction or maintenance under Ch. 30, 31, 281, or 283.
In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed in favor of the County and shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other powers granted by Wisconsin Statutes. Where a provision of this chapter is required by statute and a standard in Ch. NR 115 Wis. Admin. Code, and where the ordinance provision is unclear, the provision shall be interpreted in light of the statute and Ch. NR 115 Wis. Admin. Code standards in effect on the date of the adoption of this chapter or in effect on the date of the most recent text amendment to this chapter.
If any portion of this chapter is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid by a court of contempt jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected.