Frequently Asked Questions
Address/Property Information
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Address Assigning, Permits & Zoning
Eau Claire County assigns addresses in the Town. Building permits and zoning questions are addressed at the County level. Questions? Please contact the Planning and Development Department at 715-839-4741.
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Fire Numbers
The Town does NOT have fire numbers. It is the resident’s responsibility to make sure that their address can be clearly read on their mail box and home in case of an emergency.
Animals
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Animal Control
Please contact the Eau Claire Communication Center at 715-839-4972 for any complaints of animals running at large, biting, making unnecessary loud noise, or being treated inhumanely. If there is a dog or cat running at large, a humane office will not be dispatched without you first having contained (i.e. leashed, in garage, kennel, or fenced yard) the animal for pickup.
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Dog Licenses
A license must be obtain for dogs within a month of moving into the Town or acquiring a new dog; or after a puppy turns five (5) months. This is an annual calendar year license and is to be renewed on or before January 1st each year. To obtain a dog license, please send in an application, proof of vaccination, payment, and self-addressed stamped envelope to: Janelle Henning, Clerk/Treasurer Town of Washington 5750 Old Town Hall Road Eau Claire, WI 54701. Owners of unlicensed dogs are subject to a $150 fine and court fees.
In a residential zoning district you are limited to five dogs or less, unless you have a commercial kennel license.
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Found a Dog or Cat?
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Raising Poultry
If you live in the Town of Washington in a Rural Residential District and are interested in starting backyard poultry keeping under the new Eau Claire County ordinance, check out their website for resources on applying for a license and keeping your backyard flock healthy. Go to: chickens.echealthdepartment.org
You will scroll down to the information titled, Keep Chickens (poultry) Within Eau Claire County. You can read the ordinance, download their brochure, and the application. You apply to the County not the Town.
Dead Deer
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Deer Carcus in Roadway
If the remains are on the active, traveled portion of a highway, call 911. These remains pose an urgent safety hazard.
Town Roadways: For all Town roadways, the Town Road Department does not remove deer carcasses unless they are a hazard to the traveling public, with rare exception. If the deer carcass is a safety hazard for drivers, the carcass will be moved to the ditch or side of the road to decompose.
State & Federal Highways: For interstate, U.S. and state highways, report the location to the county Sheriff’s Office or to the Eau Claire County Highway Department at 715-839-2952 or ecchwy@eauclairecounty.gov.
County Highways: For all County Highways, the Eau Claire County Highway Department does not remove deer carcasses unless they are a hazard to the traveling public. If the deer carcass is a safety hazard for drivers, the carcass will be moved to the ditch or side of the road to decompose.
Elections
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Elections/Voting
Polling hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Town’s Municipal Building located at 5750 Old Town Hall Road in Eau Claire, WI. (See directions & map) Applications for new registration and absentee ballots are available under Elections & Voting. If you have interest in working the polls, please complete the application under Elections & Voting and submit to Janelle Henning, Clerk/Treasurer.
Hunting
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Hunting
The use of a bow and arrow or crossbow for the purpose of hunting is allowed within the Town. Discharging of other weapons is limited. Go to the Department tab, then click on Ordinances, then the Discharging Weapons Ordinance to read the restrictions and regulations for all hunting. You can also view the map for Discharging Weapons under the Community tab, then Maps.
Permits/Inspections
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Building Permits and Inspections
The Town has a Driveway Access Permit for the installation of driveways. This permit must be obtained before you can apply for a building permit. An application can be printed off under Forms & Permits or stop by the Municipal Office to obtain this form. For all other building/maintaining permits (new homes, garages, fences, siding, shingles, etc.) and inspections, please contact Eau Claire County Planning and Development at 715-839-4741. Also, call this number for all zoning and land use questions.
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Burning Permit
Burning permits are required (including the use of a burn barrel) when you are burning anything more than a campfire; you can ONLY obtain a permit online at townshipfire.org then click on the "Burning Permit" button. You can read the ordinances as well as obtain a burning permit. Applications can only be made Monday through Friday from 4:30 PM until 8:00 PM, or Saturday 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM.
Recycling and Disposal Locations
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Recycling
The Town does not have a recycling drop off. Recycling should be done through your garbage hauler when possible.
For hazardous waste, appliances, electronics, yard waste, and clean sweep dates, please call Eau Claire County Recycling at 715-839-2756 or go to their website.
Trash/recycling receptacle containers MUST be kept out of Town right-of-ways and roads. When placed incorrectly they present a hazard to the road crew and to general traffic. Residents are reminded that containers should be removed from the collection area within twelve (12) hours of pickup.
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Brush Disposal
There is one brush site located in Eau Claire County for residents of the County to use. It is operated by the City of Eau Claire. This facility is located on the north side of the City of Eau Claire on Jeffers Road - from the intersection of the North Crossing/State Road 312, go north on Jeffers Road about 3/4 mile. Public hours: Monday, Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from late April - mid-November. For information regarding what is accepted and fees go to click here. Closed on holidays and during inclement weather.
Rest Haven Cemetery
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Rest Haven Cemetery
For those who own cemetery spaces, just a reminder that decorations, pots & flowers are permitted from May 1 until October 15. Wreaths affixed to the pot stand or mounted over the stone on a wire tripod are allowed from November 1 to April 1. For all inquiries regarding the cemetery contact Jackie at 715-834-3257 or vold@townofwashington.wi.gov.
Roads
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Road Construction
The Town restores or refurbishes approximately five(5) miles of road every year. The spring newsletter posts which roads will be worked on that summer. The Road Crew will notify residents if the street cannot be driven on during the hardening process. Residents are not special assessed for street improvements.
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Road Obstruction
Please call the Communication Center at 715-839-4972 after office hours if trees block a road or there are washed out roads.
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Road Right-of-Way
It is against Town ordinance to install items (i.e., lawn markers, fence, vegetation, sprinkler systems, etc) in the Town road right-of-way. The right-of-way is generally 33 feet from the center-line of the road, which means they should not be installed next to the roadway. Items in the road right-of-way can present direct hazard and occlude vision at intersections that pose liability issues.
Mailboxes are the only structure that private owners are permitted to install within the public right-of-way. All mailboxes placed within a public right-of-way are owned by the property owner and are placed there at the owner's risk. The Town will not replace the mailbox as a result of snow plowing operations, with the exception of providing a $25 reimbursement upon presentation of a receipt for the owner replacing the post or box. Public right-of-ways have exclusive provisions.
Snow Removal
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Snow Removal
Snow you remove must remain on your property. Depositing snow back onto the roadway or across the road when plowing your driveway or parking lot is not only unsafe; it is illegal. Snow and or/ice must be cleared from sidewalks on your property within 24 hours from the time snow ceases to accumulate. Tickets will be issued to violators. (Ordinance 4-2-1-0140-C)
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Winter Parking Regulations
All vehicles are required to be removed from the roadways DURING AND 24 HOURS after a snowfall. Vehicles will be TICKETED AND TOWED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. Also, please do not follow too closely behind snow plows, stay back at least 100 feet. No person shall place, cause or permit another to place snow or ice anywhere upon Town-owned right-of-way at a location or at a height or depth that interferes with or impedes Town snow clearance operations or which causes damage or injury to any Town equipment. Tickets will be issued to violators. (Ordinance 4-2-1-0140-C)
Tax Information
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Property Tax Collection
First Installments or paying your taxes in full in December & January to the Town
Mail Payments to: Town of Washington, 5750 Old Town Hall Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 or come in person to the Town Office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. Checks are made payable to: Town of Washington. We now accept credit & debit cards (convenience fees apply), and cash payments are discouraged. Receipts will be returned via mail only if a self-addressed stamped envelope is included with your payment. You can also go to the Eau Claire County website at http://eauclairecowi.wgxtreme.com/ and type in your last name or address. You can view or print a copy of your receipt.Second Installments are Due in July; to the Eau Claire County Treasurer
Mail Payments to: Eau Claire County Treasurer, 721 Oxford Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54703. Make checks payable to: Eau Claire County. For address changes, balances due, and whether your bank has paid your taxes, please contact the Eau Claire Treasurer’s Office at 715-839-4805. -
Tax Rate
Click on the Property Taxes Tab
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Lottery Credit
Click on the Property Taxes tab for information
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First Dollar Credit for 2018
Click on the Property Taxes tab for information.
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Town Assessor
Appraisal Services 2025 Fairfax Street Eau Claire, WI 54701. Call 715-834-1361 and speak to Gene Johnson, John Garlick or Adam Kremer.
Town Hall
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Use of Town Hall
The Town of Washington allows for our meeting room to be rented Monday-Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Call the Town Office for availability at 715-834-3257 or email vold@townofwashington.wi.gov