FAQs

Wisconsin law requires that property assessments be based on fair market value. Estimating the market value of your property is a matter of determining the price a typical buyer would pay for it in its present condition. Some factors the assessor considers are what similar properties are selling for, what it would cost to replace your property, and the rent it may earn.

Your share of taxes depends upon the assessed value of your property in relation to the assessed value of other properties within your municipality. For example, if your assessed value increase is greater than the average increase for the municipality, your tax share may increase. If your assessed value increase is less than the average for the municipality, your tax share may decrease.

The actual tax levied by the municipality is determined by the budgeted needs of the schools, technical colleges, and municipal, county, and the state governments. All of these taxing units decide what services they will provide and how much money they will need to provide these services. Once these decisions are made, a tax rate is determined. Your actual tax obligation is calculated by multiplying the tax rate by your assessed value.

Generally speaking, significant improvements that increase the market value of a property will usually increase the assessed value. The following are typical items that will increase the assessed value of your property:
. Adding rooms, decks or garages
. Replacing older siding or roofing with aluminum or vinyl siding
. Installing central air conditioning
. Fireplaces
. Extensive remodeling
 

No. The value of properties with similar characteristics often changes at a similar rate. However, properties of different styles, locations or size may change at a different rate. Each property must be reviewed individually to establish an accurate assessed value.

Construction costs are variable and may not reflect the current market value of your property. Therefore, construction costs may be one of many elements that are considered when establishing market value.

Good maintenance will help retain the market value of your property. Generally, your assessment will not be increased for individual minor repairs; however, a combination of repairs like those listed below may result in an increase in the assessed value:
. Repairing concrete walks and driveways
. Replacing gutters and down spouts
. Replacing hot water heater
. Repairing porches and decks steps
. Repairing original siding
. Patching or repairing interior walls and ceilings
. Exterior painting
. Replacing electrical fixtures
. Replacing furnace
. Exterior awnings and shutters
. Weather stripping, Replacing screens, storm windows, or doors
. Landscaping including lawns, shrubbery, trees, flowers

Not necessarily. To illustrate how the levy affects your assessment we’ll look at Badgertown; a community of two.

Each resident owns a house valued at $100,000. Badgertown’s tax levy is $2,000; the amount needed to cover its expenses.  Since each resident owns 50% of the total property, they each pay 50% of the levy giving them each a tax bill of $1,000. 

If property values in Badgertown go up 10%, then each property is assessed at $110,000. The amount they pay in taxes, however, remains the same. Each resident still owns 50% of the total property in Badgertown and must pay 50% of the $2,000 tax levy or $1,000. And what if values start dropping? Residents’ property might drop to $80,000 each but because they each still own 50% of the property, and Badgertown still needs to collect $2,000, they will continue to see a $1,000 property tax bill.

Yes.

• Home Occupations are licensed annually by the Zoning Administrator. 
• The annual fee for a home occupation is $25.00
• The total area of the home occupation cannot exceed 25% of the floor area of the building
• It can only use household equipment
• Signs for the business can’t exceed 2 square feet.
• Materials used or produced by the home occupation can’t be stored outside.
• If the Home Occupation use requires a Conditional Use Permit, that must be approved by the Plan Commission and there is a $150.00 fee for the Conditional Use Permit.
• Permitted Home occupations include:
  • Dressmaking, sewing, tailoring, and millinery;
  • Laundering, clothing rental;
  • Painting, sculpturing, or writing;
  • Telephone answering
  • Model making, rug weaving, lapidary work, ceramics;
  • Tutoring, limited to four students at one time;
  • Sharpening of saws, scissors, knives, and skates;
  • Computer programming
  • Professional offices for ministers, lawyers, authors, and musicians
• Prohibited Home Occupations include:
  • Barbershops and beauty parlors
  • Dance studios
  • Photographic studios
  • Mortuaries
  • Nursery schools
  • Restaurants
  • Kennels or stables
  • Automobile repair and paint shops
  • Small engine repairs
  • Welding shops and blacksmith shops
  • The assembly of mass production of items for resale.

Yes, a building permit is required to re-side a house. The fee for a siding permit is $6.00 per $1,000.00 Construction Cost (minimum fee of $50.00) + $45.00 Administrative Fee

A permit is required to install a fence when any one section exceeds twenty feet in length. 

• Permit fee is $100.00 ($50 for building and $50 for zoning review) + $45.00 Administrative Fee
• Rear and side yard fences can be placed up to, but not on the lot line.
• The most aesthetic side of the fence has to face out.
• Fences cannot exceed 6’ in height in the side and rear lots.
• Fences in the front yard cannot exceed 4’ and have to be 90% see through.
• Fences can be constructed of wood, wire, metal, or stone.
• No single strand or barbed wire fences are permitted.
• No fence can be less than 30” in height.
• A plot plan is required showing where the fence will be installed according to the lot lines and buildings.
• All fences must be kept in good repair or condition.
• All fences must meet the structural and permit requirements of the Building Code.  Digger's Hotline is required to be called prior to placing any fence posts. (Dial 811)

Contact the Building Inspector at (920) 229-6360 for more information.

The fee for a Special Assessment Letter is $10.00 (paid by cash or check).  Requests should be sent to:
           City of Waupun
           201 E. Main St.
           Waupun, WI 53963

Monday - 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Wednesday - 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

To request a zoning change, site plan review, conditional use permit, or certified survey map review, it is necessary to appear before the Plan Commission.  The Plan Commission meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:45.

The appropriate forms need to be completed and submitted along with the fees to the Building Inspector Department.  Applications are due 3 weeks before each Plan Commission meeting.

• Rezoning Process
• Site Plan Approval Process
• Conditional Use Permit Application

Contact the Building Inspectors Office for additional information (920) 229-6360.

Building Permit Fees

Municipal Code Section 16.11

The code enforcement process is typically initiated in several ways:

1) In response to a complaint by an individual or a neighborhood association.

2) Observation of a code violation by City staff.

3) As a result of an action (for example, an application for a building permit is taken out and a violation is noticed).

Yes, all program participants will have a lien placed on their property in the amount of the loan.

In general, children can be left unattended in the library if they are able to follow the library code of conduct.  If children want to use library computers, their parent or legal guardian needs to give permission for computer use.  To give permission, parents must come into the library and complete a form.  Our wireless Internet is open access, so if children come into the library with a wireless device, they will be able to access the Internet while at the library without any restrictions.

Yes.  We have free wireless Internet access with no password.  Simply click on Waupun Public Library in your list of available networks.  For information on printing from our wireless network, please visit our Wireless Printing page.

The Waupun Public Library will send faxes at a cost of $1.00 for the first page and $.25 each additional page.  We do not receive faxes for patrons   Due to various factors, staff will not send a fax of 12 pages or more within 30 minutes of closing.  Faxes take an average of 2 minutes per page to send.

Faxes can only be sent single-sided.  Any double-sided documents will need to have the second side copied, which will cost $.10 per copy.  Additionally, fax page size will need to be the standard 8.5 x 11 or smaller; larger documents will need to be copied at $.10 per page to adhere to this sizing.  Pages that are extremely wrinkled, thin or otherwise deemed unlikely to send will also require copying at $.10 per page.

The Waupun Public Library only accepts cash or check as payment methods.
 

Yes.  We order tax forms from the state and federal taxing agencies as soon as orders are being received.  We are only offered the main tax forms, so those are the only ones we will be able to have paper copies for.  We receive tax forms whenever legislation on them has been finalized and printing has completed.  Sometimes we do not receive them until February.  We can re-order forms as supplies deplete until around the end of March.  We keep forms out until supplies last, or late April.

If we do not have a tax form you need, we can assist you with printing from the appropriate website.  We cannot, however, instruct you on which forms you need for filing, nor can we assist with any other tax advice.  Cost is $.10 per page.  The library only accepts cash and check as payment methods.

For individuals 16 and over, bring in a picture ID with current address; if your picture ID does not have your current address, you will need to also bring in proof of address (examples include a piece of mail or a rental agreement).

Kids must be at least 5 years old to get a library card.   A parent or legal guardian must come in with a child aged 5-15.  The parent must present a picture ID and proof of address.

There is no charge for your first library card; there is a $1.00 replacement charge for a lost card.

When the Waupun Public Library is hiring, you will see a "Job Opportunities" link in the left navigation bar.  This link will take you to openings at the library.

The library only accepts applications/resumes when there is an active, open position available.

Ordinances required that sump pump lines be connected to the public stormwater system if available, or it can discharge to the rear or side yard if all the water infiltrates directly into the owner’s property.  Please call the Department of Public Works to report a problem (920) 324-7918.

The area surrounding the road, dedicated for roads, drainage, utilities, curb and gutter and sidewalk.  Road Right-of-Way widths vary throughout the City.  Please contact the Public Works department for exact right-of-way widths at (920) 324-7918.  For a detailed view of what the road right of way is click here.

They City has an ever changing street plan based on annual road evaluations, budget constraints, and other infrastructure and utility projects.  Check with the Department of Public Works for the latest road project plans.  

The City does a spring and fall pick-up of brush and tree limbs every year.  Typically the spring clean-up starts at the end of April and goes through the first part of May.  The fall pickup typically starts mid-October and runs through November (depending on weather).  They may also pick up after a storm event.  This service is not meant for tree removal.  The City also operates a drop off site for brush and tree limbs.  This is located at 903 N. Madison St. and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In most cases, the City will remove dead animals.  This will only be done during business hours .  Please call (920) 324-7918 to report.

Residents may drop off used motor oil at the Public Works garage located at 903 N. Madison St. 

All policy and budget decisions must be reviewed and approved by the elected officials on the City Council. 

Stormwater fees are based on the amount of impervious surface each property has. Impervious surfaces include roofs, private sidewalks, private streets, driveways, patios, and parking lots. The greater the impervious area of a property, the greater the amount of stormwater runoff will be. The impervious area for each property was measured from an aerial photo and using site plans.

An “ERU”, or Equivalent Runoff Unit, is the unit of measurement for impervious areas. An ERU is defined as the average impervious area of a single-family home. The average impervious area of a single-family home in Waupun is calculated to be 3,204 square feet. This measurement includes the home’s roof, garage roof, driveway, private sidewalks, patio, and other hard surfaces on the property.

Single-family homes will be charged for 1 ERU. All other properties will be charged a fraction of, or a multiple of an ERU based on their actual impervious area measurement. 

Public streets are not included in the total number of ERUs for the city. Public streets are part of the municipal stormwater conveyance system. Just as storm sewers are designed to carry stormwater during the small rain events, city streets are designed to carry stormwater during the large rain events. 

When paying your taxes through the mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a receipt will be mailed to you.  Payment information is also available online through Dodge County and Fond du Lac County websites.   

Dodge County  https://list.co.dodge.wi.us/GCSWebPortal/Search.aspx   

• Click I Accept
• Fill in your house number and municipality
• Select your name/address
• Select Taxes tab
• Select Print Tax Bill / Print Tax Details
• If tax bill receipts are not available contact the City Clerk at angie@cityofwaupun.org or 920-324-7915.

Fond du Lac County https://www.fdlco.wi.gov/departments/departments-n-z/treasurer/real-esta...

• Click on “here” to view property tax info
• Select City of Waupun as the Municipality
• Enter your Street Number
• Select your parcel (property)
• Under Select Detail, choose Taxes
• Select the Tax Year to view/print your receipt or choose the Print tax bills option

Please contact Angie Hull, City Clerk/Treasurer, at 920-324-7915 or angie@cityofwaupunwi.gov

You will need to provide her the parcel number(s) of the tax bills you wish changed.
 

The First Dollar Credit provides direct property tax relief as a credit for property owners on their property tax bill. Every taxable parcel containing a real property improvement qualifies for the First Dollar Credit. The property does not have to be the owner's primary residence. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue provides additional information on the First Dollar Credit.

Tax bills are available online, through your County. 
Dodge County

1. Click "I Accept"
2. Fill in owner name or property address and select municipality
3. Select your parcel
4. Select “Taxes” tab

Fond du Lac County