Pewaukee · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pewaukee public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Swimming pools in the shoreland setback
A citywide rule change would let pools sit as close as 35 feet to the lake's high water mark. Commissioners are split between protecting the open shoreline look and the logic that a home at the setback is worse than a pool fence.
Comprehensive Plan Update Required by Act 173
State law (Act 173) requires Pewaukee to update its comprehensive plan with specific residential densities by January 1, 2028, or developers get near-automatic rezoning approvals. Staff asked for $75,000 to fund the update.
Veterans respite home withdrawn
Mental Health America of Wisconsin pulled its plan to relocate its peer-run respite home for veterans to Lyles Drive after the property owner withdrew the lease offer — so no public hearing happened.
Short-Term Rental Licensing and Enforcement
Pewaukee's leaders took up how the city licenses and polices short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo properties. The existing rules cover inspections, a $160 fee, noise and parking limits, and a cap of 180 rental nights a year — the question is how licensing and enforcement should work going forward.
Accessory structure rules relaxed for residential properties
Homeowners can now have two outbuildings totaling up to 1,500 square feet instead of being locked into one large building plus a tiny shed. Individual buildings still can't exceed 1,200 square feet, and setbacks and lot coverage rules are unchanged.