Wis. Stat. § 781.10 — WI Code / Chapter 781 / Section 781.10
Certiorari review of certain local decisions.
Status: in_force

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Approval” means a permit or authorization for building, zoning, driveway, stormwater, or other activity related to residential development.

(b) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town, or county or a board of appeals or board of adjustment.

(c) “Residential development” means the development or redevelopment of land or buildings for the primary purpose of providing housing.

(2) Judicial review.

(a) Except as provided in s. 66.10016 (4) , a final decision of a political subdivision or an agency of a political subdivision on an application for an approval may be reviewed only by an action for certiorari as provided under this section.

(b) No action under this section may be filed more than 30 days after the final decision by a political subdivision or agency of a political subdivision on an application for an approval.

(c) An action under this section may be filed only by any of the following:

1. The person who submitted the application for an approval.

2. A person that has an ownership interest in the real property that is the subject of the application for an approval.

3. A person that, as a result of the final decision on the application for an approval, sustains actual damages or will imminently sustain actual damages that are personal to the person and distinct from damages that impact the public generally. A person under this subdivision may not seek review under this section unless, prior to the final decision on the approval, the person provided a statement in writing on the approval to the political subdivision or agency of the political subdivision or appeared and provided an oral statement at a public proceeding held by the political subdivision or agency of the political subdivision at which the approval was considered.

4. A person, other than an individual, that satisfies all of the following conditions:

a. The person has as a member, partner, or stockholder at least one person described under subd. 1. , 2. , or 3.

b. The person was not organized or incorporated in response to the application.

5. A local governmental unit, as defined in s. 66.0131 (1) (a) .

6. To the extent authorized by law, a state agency, as defined in s. 20.931 (1) (c) , that is aggrieved by the final decision on the application for approval.

(d)

1. The person seeking review under this section shall file pleadings, which shall be served in the manner provided in ch. 801 for service in civil actions. The pleadings shall specify facts demonstrating that the person has standing under par. (c) and shall identify the specific errors the person claims justify the requested relief. The political subdivision shall have 45 days to file an answer or other responsive pleading to the complaint. The political subdivision shall transmit the record under s. 781.03 (1) no later than 30 days after an answer or other responsive pleading is filed.

2. The court shall require that any additional pleadings and any motions and supporting papers be filed no later than 90 days after the expiration of the latest deadline under subd. 1. for filing answers or other responsive pleadings. The court may supplement the record on review only upon motion of a party for good cause.

3. The court shall give the action under this paragraph preference over all other civil actions and proceedings.

4. The court shall decide the action under this paragraph upon the return made by the political subdivision. The court may reverse or affirm the determination brought up for review or remand to the political subdivision for further proceedings consistent with the court’s decision or take any other action that the court deems appropriate in the interests of justice that is consistent with judicial review of an action in certiorari. The court shall issue a decision in writing no later than 60 days after the deadline under subd. 2.

5. Any appeal of a decision issued under subd. 4. shall be taken within the time period specified in s. 808.04 (1s) .

History: 2023 a. 16 .