COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (Third Floor of City Hall)

The Community Development Department is generally responsible for:

• planning
• subdivision and zoning
• reviews and administration
• building permits and inspections
• assessment information
• economic development
• revolving loan fund
• demographics
• overall development of the city

Some specific areas reviewed include fence permits, sign permits, zoning related issues, construction setback requirements, development processing procedures, building permits, home occupation permits, etc.

The plan commission reviews development projects with recommendations forwarded to the Common Council. The plan commission also monitors land use, growth issues and general development concerns. The Community Development Director is the secretary for the commission.

Assessment information including parcel numbers, land/structure values, lot sizes, owners, etc. are available at City Hall and by calling (715)386-4775. Some information is also available on St. Croix County's website at www.co.saint-croix.wi.us and select Land Use Information.

The building inspector is responsible for issuing building permits and overseeing the construction of all phases of all projects being done within the city limits. In addition to new houses and businesses, other examples of projects that require a permit are basement finishing/remodeling, decks or additions, garages/sheds, pools and any mechanical/structural changes. General, HVAC (heating, venting and air conditioning) and plumbing contractors are required to have State of Wisconsin license/credential. State of Wisconsin licensing/credential requirements and other state code information is available at www.commerce.state.wi.us or by contacting the Department of Commerce at (608)261-8500.

Information to be submitted with an application for a new residence includes a site plan, a house plan, an erosion control form and an energy calculation worksheet.

Economic development involves assistance in the administration of the city of Hudson revolving loan fund program and also serving as liaison to the St. Croix Business Park Corporation.

The following forms are available for downloading:

1) Development plan review process/contacts
2) Conditional use permit application
3) Development plan application
4) Subdivision application
5) Building permit (new residential and businesses)
6) Building permit (additions, remodeling, accessory buildings)
7) Building permit fee schedule
8) Fence permit request (new or replacement)
9) Sign permit request (new or replacement)
10) Cross reference listing for addresses, parcel numbers, zoning, partial/complete legal descriptions
11) Guide for Building in the City of Hudson
12) Guide for Required Inspections
13) Guide for Basement Finishing
14) Guide for Constructing Residential Decks
15) Guide for Lawn Sprinklers (Please return to main page and view the Hudson Water Utility webpage, or call 386-4760)
16) Guide for Building Accessory Buildings
17) Board of Appeals Application

POLICIES (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Building Permits – Permit applications are to include the names of all contractors to be working on the project as one permit per project is issued with the fee based on the estimated cost of all expenses. Review and preparation of the permit request may take 1-3 days, and we will notify when it is ready. The permit has to be picked up in person, and payment (cash or check only) is required at that time.

Property Lines – The city does not have a certified surveyor on staff. Information that may be provided from existing assessment records or plats on file is lot size, right-of-way width and lot size of surrounding properties. Many property corners have been marked with iron pipe pieces but may be buried 4-6 inches below grade and require a metal detector to locate.

Setback Requirements – General information is listed in our Municipal Code Chapter 255 (www.generalcode.com) and specifically in the Table of Dimensional Requirements. However, there are different requirements for planned residential developments as approved by the plan commission and common council. There also may be other sections of the code that apply to your specific instance. We recommend calling or coming in to review the circumstances with you.

Business in Your Home – Municipal Code § 255-54 provides information regarding this issue. A permit is required, but there is no charge for a Home Occupation Permit unless the conditional use permit process applies.