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1. What can I use my property for? What is my property zoned for?

To determine what you can use your property for, you first need to find your zoning district. 

1. Open the City's online zoning map.
2. Type in your property's address and click search.
3. The map will take you to the property. Click the property on the map.
4. Either look in the pop-up window to see the property's zoning district or click the blue legend icon on the bottom of the map and compare the colors to identify the property's zoning district. 

Now that you know your zoning district, you can check what uses are allowed in that district. 

1. Open the zoning code's Principal Use Table in Sec. 19.32.
2. Identify the property's zoning district on the table's top row.
3. Scroll through the table and review what uses are allowed in your district's column. If the cell is blank, the use is not allowed. 
4. If you are unsure what a specific use's name means, review the definitions in Sec. 19.16.

2. How do I use the zoning code?

1. Identify your property's zoning district. 
   • Search the City's online zoning map for your property. 
   • A summary of the zoning districts can be found in section 19.2 Districts.
   • Visit our FAQ page for help.
2. Identify what your property can be used for in section 19.3 Uses. 
   • Review the table in section 19.32 Principal Uses to determine which primary uses are allowed in your district. Any necessary conditions that must be met for a Limited Use may be found in section 19.33. Any necessary conditions that must be met for a Conditional Use may be found in section 19.34. 
   • Review the table in section 19.35 Accessory Uses to determine which secondary uses are allowed in your district. Any necessary conditions that must be met for an Accessory Use may be found in section 19.36.
3. Identify how you can build on your property in section 19.4 Structures.
   • Review the table in section 19.41 Structure Size and Location to determine the buildable space, density, and lot size rules for your district.
   • For residential properties, review the table in section 19.42 Residential Accessory Structures to determine how Accessory Dwelling Units, garages, and other accessory structures can be built. 
   • Review the table in section 19.43 Structures in Yards to determine which part of your yard different structures can be built.
4. Identify how many parking spaces may be provided on your property in section 19.44 Vehicle Parking.

3. What is a Conditional or Limited Use? What do zoning use classifications mean?

If a use is allowed in a zoning district, it may be allowed in several different ways. The City of West Allis classifies how uses are allowed in 3 ways:

Term	Definition
Permitted Use	A use that is allowed without any specified conditions
Limited Use	A use that is allowed upon meeting all conditions specified in the code
Conditional Use	A use that is allowed upon meeting all conditions specified in the code and those imposed by the Common Council

Conditions for Limited Uses can be found in Sec. 19.33. Conditions for Conditional Uses can be found in Sec. 19.34.

4. How do I get my sign approved?

Most signs require a sign permit in the City of West Allis. Signs do not require a permit if they are less than 6 sq. ft. and are not illuminated or if they are window signs that meet the requirements found in 13.21(18).

To get your sign approved, apply for a sign permit through the City's online Sign Permit Application. 

The application will be reviewed to ensure it meets the City's Sign Code. These rules specify the number, size, design, location, and construction standards for signs. Please reference the Sign Review & Approval, section of our web site for detailed guidelines. Contact planning@westalliswi.gov with additional questions.

5. What is zoning? What are zoning districts?

Zoning is the way that cities determine what land can be used for.

To do this, cities divide land into zoning districts. Each zoning district has a different set of rules. These rules determine what uses are allowed and how the land can be built upon. 

The City of West Allis has 3 main types of zoning districts: residential, commercial, and industrial. In total, there are 13 unique zoning districts:

Zoning Districts
Residential Districts
RA-1	Intended for neighborhoods with primarily detached dwellings on large lots
RA-2	Intended for neighborhoods with primarily detached dwellings on moderate sized lots
RA-3	Intended for neighborhoods with primarily detached dwellings on small lots
RB	Intended for traditional neighborhoods with a diverse array of housing types on small lots
RC	Intended for dense, multi-unit housing development in areas throughout the city
Commercial Districts
C-1	Intended for the city's historic pedestrian-oriented downtown shopping district
C-2	Intended for a mix of uses in close proximity to residential areas that are compatible with the neighborhood scale
C-3	Intended for commercial development serving the broader community's daily needs
C-4	Intended for large-scale, automobile-oriented commercial development serving the needs of the regional population
Industrial Districts
I-1	Intended for lower-intensity industrial uses in closer proximity to residential and commercial uses
I-2	Intended for higher-intensity industrial uses that should be separated from residential and commercial uses
Other Districts
P	Intended to provide areas for open space, recreation, and preservation of natural resources
SF	Intended for State Fair grounds