Chapter 236

236.18(6)(a) (a) The plane coordinates of a point that are to be used to express the position or location of a point shall consist of 2 distances that are expressed in U.S. survey feet or meters and decimals of those feet or meters. The definitions of survey foot and meter in letter circular 1071 July 1976 national institute of standards and technology shall be used for conversion between feet and meters.

236.18(6)(b) (b) For the Wisconsin coordinate system of 1927, the distances under par. (a) are the x-coordinate, which shall give the position in an east-and-west direction, and the y-coordinate, which shall give the position in a north-and-south direction.

236.18(6)(c) (c) For the Wisconsin coordinate system of 1983 (1986) and the Wisconsin coordinate system of 1983 (1991), the distances are the northing, which shall give the position in a north-and-south direction and the easting, which shall give the position in an east-and-west direction.

236.18(6)(d) (d) Coordinates in all of the systems under sub. (2) shall depend upon and conform to the plane rectangular coordinate values for the monumented points of the national geodetic reference system horizontal control network that are published by the national geodetic survey or by that agency’s successor if those values have been computed on the basis of a system under sub. (2).

236.18(7) (7) Use of term restricted. No person may use the term “Wisconsin coordinate system” on any map, report of a survey or other document unless the coordinates on the document are based on a system under sub. (2).

236.18(8) (8) Designation. Any person who prepares a plat under this section shall designate on that plat which of the systems under sub. (2) and which of the zones under sub. (3) that person has referenced.

236.18(9) (9) Multiple descriptions. If a document describes a tract of land by means of the coordinates of a system under sub. (2) and by means of a reference to a subdivision, line or corner of the U.S. public land surveys, the description by means of coordinates supplements and is subordinate to the other description.

236.18(10) (10) Right of lenders and purchasers. A lender or purchaser may require a borrower or seller to provide the description required under s. 236.20.

236.18 History History: 1979 c. 248 ss. 10, 25 (1); 1993 a. 16, 490; 2001 a. 16.

subch. IV of ch. 236 SUBCHAPTER IV

FINAL PLAT AND DATA

236.20 236.20 Final plat. A final plat of subdivided land shall comply with all of the following requirements:

236.20(1) (1) General requirements. All plats shall be legibly prepared and meet all of the following requirements:

236.20(1)(a) (a) The plat shall have a one-inch margin on all sides. A graphic scale of not more than 100 feet to one inch shall be shown on each sheet showing layout features. When more than one sheet is used for any plat, each sheet shall be numbered consecutively and shall contain a notation giving the total number of sheets in the plat and showing the relation of that sheet to the other sheets and each sheet shall bear the subdivision and county name.

236.20(1)(c) (c) For processing under s. 236.12 (2), the original copy of the final plat shall be 22 inches wide by 30 inches long and on any material that is capable of clearly legible reproduction.

236.20(2) (2) Map and engineering information. The final plat shall show correctly on its face all of the following:

236.20(2)(a) (a) The exterior boundaries of the land surveyed and divided.

236.20(2)(b) (b) All monuments erected, corners, and other points established in the field in their proper places. The material of which the monuments, corners, or other points are made shall be noted at the representation thereof or by legend, except lot, outlot, and meander corners need not be shown. The legend for metal monuments shall indicate the kind of metal, the outside diameter, length, and weight per lineal foot of the monuments.

236.20(2)(c) (c) The length and bearing of the exterior boundaries, the boundary lines of all blocks, public grounds, streets, and alleys, and all lot lines, except that when the lines in any tier of lots are parallel it shall be sufficient to mark the bearings of the outer lines on one tier. Easements not parallel to a boundary or lot line shall be shown by center line distance, bearing, and width or by easement boundary bearings and distances. Where easement lines are parallel to boundary or lot lines, the boundary or lot line distances and bearings are controlling. Where the exterior boundary lines show bearings or lengths that vary from those recorded in abutting plats or certified surveys there shall be the following note placed along the lines, “recorded as (show recorded bearing or length or both).”

236.20(2)(d) (d) Blocks, if designated, shall be consecutively numbered, or lettered in alphabetical order. The blocks in numbered additions to subdivisions bearing the same name shall be numbered or lettered consecutively through the several additions.

236.20(2)(e) (e) All lots and outlots in each block consecutively numbered within blocks and the subdivision and throughout numbered additions to the subdivision.

236.20(2)(f) (f) The exact width of all easements, streets and alleys.

236.20(2)(g) (g) All shore meander lines for all lakes or navigable streams that are established by the professional land surveyor in accordance with s. 236.15 (1) (d), the distances and bearings thereof, and the distance between the point of intersection of such meander lines with lot lines and the determined or approximated ordinary high water mark.

236.20(2)(h) (h) The center line of all streets.

236.20(2)(i) (i) A north point properly located thereon identified as referenced to a magnetic, true or other identifiable direction and related to a boundary line of a quarter section, recorded private claim or federal reservation in which the subdivision is located.

236.20(2)(j) (j) The area in square feet of each lot and outlot.

236.20(2)(k) (k) When a street is on a circular curve, the main chords of the right-of-way lines shall be drawn as dotted or dashed lines in their proper places. All curved lines shall show, either on the lines or in an adjoining table, the radius of the circle, the central angle subtended, the chord bearing, the chord length, and the arc length for each segment. The tangent bearing shall be shown for each end of the main chord for all nontangent circular lines. When a circular curve of 30-foot radius or less is used to round off the intersection between 2 straight lines, it shall be tangent to both straight lines. It is sufficient to show on the plat the radius of the curve and the tangent distances from the points of curvature to the point of intersection of the straight lines.

236.20(2)(L) (L) When strict compliance with a provision of this section will entail undue or unnecessary difficulty or tend to render the plat or certified survey map more difficult to read, and when the information on the plat or certified survey map is sufficient for the exact retracement of the measurements and bearings or other necessary dimensions, the department or, in 1st class cities, the city engineer may waive such strict compliance.

236.20(3) (3) Name, location and position. The name of the plat shall be printed thereon in prominent letters, and shall not be a duplicate of the name of any plat previously recorded in the same county or municipality. All of the following information relating to the position and location of the subdivision shall be shown on the plat:

236.20(3)(a) (a) The location of the subdivision by government lot, recorded private claim, quarter-quarter section, section, township, range, and county noted immediately under the name given to the subdivision.

236.20(3)(b) (b) The location of the subdivision shall be indicated by bearing and distance from a boundary line of a government lot monumented in the original survey or resurvey of Wisconsin, quarter section, recorded private claim, or federal reservation in which the subdivision is located. The monumentation at the ends of the boundary line shall be described and the bearing and distance between them shown.

236.20(3)(c) (c) A small drawing of the section or governmental subdivision of the section in which the subdivision lies with the location of the subdivision indicated thereon or, if approved by the department, a location sketch showing the relationship of the subdivision to existing streets. The drawing or sketch shall be oriented on the sheet in the same direction as the main drawing.

236.20(3)(d) (d) The names of adjoining streets, state highways and subdivisions shown in their proper location underscored by a dotted or dashed line.

236.20(3)(e) (e) Abutting street and state highway lines of adjoining plats shown in their proper location by dotted or dashed lines. The width of these streets and highways shall be given also.

236.20(4) (4) Roads and public spaces.

236.20(4)(a) (a) The name of each road or street in the plat shall be printed on the plat.

236.20(4)(b) (b) All lands dedicated to public use shall be clearly marked “Dedicated to the Public”.

236.20(4)(c) (c) All roads or streets shown on the plat which are not dedicated to public use shall be clearly marked “Private Road” or “Private Street” or “Private Way”.

236.20(4)(d) (d) Each lot within the plat must have access to a public street unless otherwise provided by local ordinance.

236.20(5) (5) Site conditions and topography. The final plat shall show all of the following:

236.20(5)(a) (a) All existing buildings.

236.20(5)(b) (b) All watercourses, drainage ditches and other existing features pertinent to proper subdivision.

236.20(5)(c) (c) The water elevations of adjoining lakes or navigable streams at the date of the survey and the approximate high water elevations of those lakes or streams. All elevations shall be referred to some permanent established datum plane.

236.20(6) (6) Public trust information. A final plat of a subdivision, or a certified survey map of land, to which s. 236.16 (4) applies shall show on its face the following statement:

“Any land below the ordinary high water mark of a lake or a navigable stream is subject to the public trust in navigable waters that is established under article IX, section 1, of the state constitution.”

236.20 History History: 1979 c. 221, 248; 1983 a. 473; 1999 a. 85; 2001 a. 16, 103, 104; 2013 a. 358.

236.20 Annotation When a strip of land was labeled on a plat “Public Access” that abutted a lake and connected to a public highway, the plat substantially met the statutory requirement of a “clear dedication to the public.” While the dedication did not contain the exact formula found in sub. (4), under Hunt, 19 Wis. 2d 113 (1963), that is not necessary. Vande Zande v. Town of Marquette, 2008 WI App 144, 314 Wis. 2d 143, 758 N.W.2d 187, 07-2354.

236.20 Annotation Discussing the circumstances under which the statutory platting standards set forth in sub. (4) (d) and s. 236.16 (1), (2), and (3) may be waived or varied, with specific reference to the approval of island subdivision plats. 62 Atty. Gen. 315.

236.20 Annotation Discussing the extent to which local governments may vary the terms of sub. (4) (d) and s. 236.16 (1) and (2) by ordinance. 64 Atty. Gen. 175.

236.20 Annotation A proposed plat may not consist solely of outlots. 66 Atty. Gen. 238.

236.21 236.21 Certificates to accompany plat. To entitle a final plat to be recorded, the following certificates lettered or printed legibly with a black durable image or typed legibly with black ribbon shall appear on it:

236.21(1) (1) Professional land surveyor’s certificate of compliance with statute. The certificate of the professional land surveyor who surveyed, divided, and mapped the land giving all of the following information, which shall have the same force and effect as an affidavit:

236.21(1)(a) (a) By whose direction the professional land surveyor made the survey, subdivision, and plat of the land described on the plat.

236.21(1)(b) (b)

236.21(1)(b)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., a clear and concise description of the land surveyed, divided, and mapped by government lot, recorded private claim, quarter-quarter section, section, township, range, and county and by metes and bounds commencing with a monument at a section or quarter section corner of the quarter section that is not the center of the section, or commencing with a monument at the end of a boundary line of a recorded private claim or federal reservation in which the subdivision is located.

236.21(1)(b)2. 2. If the land is shown in a recorded subdivision plat, recorded addition to a recorded subdivision plat, or recorded certified survey map that has previously been tied to the monumented line of a quarter section, government lot, recorded private claim, or federal reservation in which the land is located, the land shall be described by the subdivision name or certified survey map number and the description of the lot and block thereof.

236.21(1)(c) (c) A statement that the plat is a correct representation of all the exterior boundaries of the land surveyed and the subdivision of it.

236.21(1)(d) (d) A statement that the professional land surveyor has fully complied with the provisions of this chapter in surveying, dividing, and mapping the land.

236.21(2) (2) Owner’s certificate.

236.21(2)(a) (a) A certificate by the owner of the land in substantially the following form: “As owner I hereby certify that I caused the land described on this plat to be surveyed, divided, mapped and dedicated as represented on the plat. I also certify that this plat is required by s. 236.10 or 236.12 to be submitted to the following for approval or objection: (list of governing bodies required to approve or allowed to object to the plat).” This certificate shall be signed by the owner, the owner’s spouse, and all persons holding an interest in the fee of record or by being in possession and, if the land is mortgaged, by the mortgagee of record. These signatures shall be acknowledged in accordance with ch. 140.

236.21(2)(b) (b) As a condition to approval of the plat, the municipal, town or county body required by s. 236.12 to approve the plat may require that the owner furnish an abstract of title certified to date of submission for approval or, at the option of the owner, a policy of title insurance or certificate of title from an abstract company for examination in order to ascertain whether all parties in interest have signed the owner’s certificate on the plat.

236.21(3) (3) Certificate of taxes paid. A certificate of the clerk or treasurer of the municipality or town in which the subdivision lies and a certificate of the treasurer of the county in which the subdivision lies stating that there are no unpaid taxes or unpaid special assessments on any of the lands included in the plat.

236.21 History History: 1971 c. 41 s. 11; 1975 c. 94 s. 91 (3); 1975 c. 199; 1979 c. 248 ss. 18, 25 (3); 1983 a. 473; 1999 a. 85; 2001 a. 16; 2013 a. 358; 2019 a. 125.

subch. V of ch. 236 SUBCHAPTER V

RECORDING OF PLATS

236.25 236.25 Recording a plat.

236.25(1) (1) The subdivider shall have the final plat recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county in which the subdivision is located.

236.25(2) (2) The register of deeds shall not accept a plat for record unless:

236.25(2)(a) (a) It is a permanent nonfading black image on durable white media that is 22 inches wide by 30 inches long or on other media that is acceptable to the register of deeds, complies with the requirements of s. 59.43 (2m) (b) 4., and bears a department certification of no objection. Seals or signatures reproduced on images complying with this paragraph shall be given the force and effect of original signatures and seals;

236.25(2)(b) (b) The plat is offered for record within 12 months after the date of the last approval of the plat and within 36 months after the first approval;

236.25(2)(c) (c) The plat shows on its face all the certificates and affidavits required by ss. 236.12 (3) and 236.21;

236.25(2)(d) (d) The plat shows on its face the approval of all bodies required by s. 236.10 to approve or the certificate of the clerk that the plat is deemed approved under s. 236.11 (2) (a).

236.25(3) (3) The recording of a plat which is not entitled to be recorded under sub. (2) shall not of itself affect the title of a purchaser of a lot covered by the plat, the donation or dedication of land made by the plat, or the validity of a description of land by reference to the plat, but it allows the purchaser a right to rescind the sale under s. 236.31.

236.25(4) (4) Each final plat entitled to be recorded under this section shall be bound or filed by the register of deeds into properly indexed volumes or stored electronically in a plat index. Any facsimile of the original whole record, made and prepared by the register of deeds or under his or her direction shall be deemed to be a true copy of the final plat.

236.25(5) (5) The register of deeds may furnish certified copies or other accurate reproductions of any plat on record in his or her office to surveyors, engineers or other interested parties at cost.

236.25 History History: 1979 c. 248 ss. 19, 25 (5); 1983 a. 473; 1997 a. 332; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 9, 41; 2009 a. 376; 2013 a. 358; 2015 a. 48.

236.26 236.26 Notification to approving authorities. When a final plat is recorded, the register of deeds shall notify all authorities required by s. 236.10 to approve or permitted by s. 236.12 to object to the plat by mailing to the clerk of each authority written notice thereof.

236.26 History History: 1981 c. 314.

236.27 236.27 Filing of copy of plat. The subdivider shall file a true copy of the final plat as a public record with the clerk of the municipality or town in which the subdivision is located.

236.28 236.28 Description of lots in recorded plat. When a subdivision plat has been recorded in accordance with s. 236.25, the lots in that plat shall be described by the name of the plat and the lot and block in the plat for all purposes, including those of assessment, taxation, devise, descent and conveyance as defined in s. 706.01 (4). Any conveyance containing such a description shall be construed to convey to the grantee all portions of vacated streets and alleys abutting such lots and belonging to the grantor unless the grantor by appropriate language indicates an intention to reserve or except them from the conveyance.

236.28 History History: 1971 c. 41 s. 11; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (26).

236.28 Annotation One who buys lots with reference to a plat that shows certain ways in common is entitled to the use, with the other lot owners, of the ways in common. Lot owners in the same subdivision whose lots are purchased with reference to the same plat are estopped to deny the use in common with other lot owners in the subdivision. The recording of the plat and conveyance of lots by the owner with reference to the plat constitutes the granting of an easement to the purchasers of lots within the subdivision to ingress and egress over private roadways in common with other lot owners, and the original proprietors and their grantees are estopped to deny the legal existence of such rights of ingress and egress. Schimmels v. Noordover, 2006 WI App 7, 288 Wis. 2d 790, 709 N.W.2d 466, 04-2794.

236.29 236.29 Dedications.

236.29(1) (1) Effect of recording on dedications. When any plat is certified, signed, acknowledged and recorded as prescribed in this chapter, every donation or grant to the public or any person, society or corporation marked or noted as such on said plat shall be deemed a sufficient conveyance to vest the fee simple of all parcels of land so marked or noted, and shall be considered a general warranty against such donors, their heirs and assigns to the said donees for their use for the purposes therein expressed and no other; and the land intended for the streets, alleys, ways, commons or other public uses as designated on said plat shall be held by the town, city or village in which such plat is situated in trust to and for such uses and purposes.

236.29(2) (2) Dedications to public accepted by approval. When a final plat of a subdivision has been approved by the governing body of the municipality or town in which the subdivision is located and all other required approvals are obtained and the plat is recorded, that approval constitutes acceptance for the purpose designated on the plat of all lands shown on the plat as dedicated to the public including street dedications.

236.29(3) (3) Municipality may lease to a subdivision association land accepted for park. The municipality or town in which the accepted subdivision is located may lease to a subdivision association any part of the subdivision intended for park purposes where such part has never been improved nor work done thereon nor funds expended therefor by the governing body, but such lease shall not exceed 10 years and shall only be for park improvement purposes.

236.29(4) (4) Acceptance of storm water facilities dedicated to public. Notwithstanding sub. (2), unless an earlier date is agreed to by the municipality, the dedication of any lands within a plat of a subdivision located within a municipality that are intended to include a permanent man-made facility designed for reducing the quantity or quality impacts of storm water runoff from more than one lot and that are shown on the plat as “Dedicated to the Public for Storm Water Management Purposes” is not accepted until at least 80 percent of the lots in the subdivision have been sold and a professional engineer registered under ch. 443 has certified to the municipality that all of the following conditions are met with respect to the facility:

236.29(4)(a) (a) The facility is functioning properly in accordance with the plans and specifications of the municipality.

236.29(4)(b) (b) Any required plantings are adequate, well-established, and reasonably free of invasive species.