There has been a boom in construction of both seasonal recreational homes and permanent residences. The number of new building permits has increased from 1,112 in 1989 to 1,643 in 1993. A total of 825 new sanitary permits were issued in 1993, up from 557 in 1989. Much of the new construction activity has taken place on lakefront property. Developable lakefront property is becoming scarce and, as a result, shoreside property values have risen dramatically.
Commercial development is also active in Oneida County.
Lodging occupancy information and visitor surveys indicate that Oneida County serves an average summer seasonal population of over 55,000 people, which is almost double the 1990 permanent population of 31,679. The History of Rural Zoning in Oneida County. In May 1933, Oneida County enacted the first comprehensive rural zoning ordinance in the United States. In the early 1930's, most northern Wisconsin counties were facing financial difficulties stemming, in part, from difficulties in converting cut-over forest lands to agriculture. The purpose of the rural zoning ordinance was to restrict settlement in remote areas.