Zoning Code | Zoning Districts

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C1 Cottage Commercial image/svg+xml

This district is primarily intended to accommodate small-scale commercial businesses (5,000 square feet or less) intermixed with residential uses, including single-family residential, two-family residential, and multi-family residential. Development standards are designed to ensure that commercial uses are compatible in appearance and character with the surrounding residential uses.

C2 General Commercial image/svg+xml

This district is intended to accommodate a wide range of large- and small-scale commercial development including both pedestrian- and auto-oriented land uses. Although there are requirements for providing green space within new development projects, the overall standards in this district are intended to provide significant incentives for infill development, redevelopment, and the continued economic viability of existing development.

C3 Downtown Commercial image/svg+xml

This district is primarily intended to accommodate and create a high level of employment and business activity consisting of large- and small-scale use. This district hosts businesses that support the needs of tourists and also the needs of City residents. Retail operations and specialty stores are common along with indoor attractions. Although professional services are allowed, they are less common. Sidewalk cafes are common during the warmer months of the year. There is a balanced mix of one and two-story buildings. The wide range of permissible use and development standards are intended to provide significant incentives for infill development, redevelopment, and the continued economic viability of existing development. Where this district abuts a residential district, appropriate screening and landscaping will be provided to lessen associated impacts. Residential uses can occur in this district primarily on the upper levels of buildings. Parking is available on the street and in nearby public parking lots and garages. Given the intensity of development in this district, there are no on-site landscaping requirements, except in parking lots fronting on Bayfield Street. This district is strictly limited to the central city locations.

I1 Industrial image/svg+xml

This district is intended to accommodate warehousing, a range of sales and service establishments, and manufacturing.

L1 Lakefront Corridor image/svg+xml

This district is intended to include those properties in public ownership on or near Lake Superior.

M Marina image/svg+xml

This district is intended to accommodate those uses normally found in a public marina including maintenance facilities, indoor and outdoor boat storage, and related support services. The establishment of new areas with this zoning classification is not anticipated, except for an area of the coal dock.

MUW Mixed-Use Waterfront image/svg+xml

This district is intended to accommodate a mix of commercial, residential, and public recreational uses in a master planned setting. This district is intended to be an attractive, pedestrian-oriented area where people can live, work, and play. New buildings in this area will have a residential appearance consistent with the vernacular architecture of Washburn. Typical uses include retail shops, galleries, studios, professional offices, and residential uses generally on upper floors.

R1 Rural Residential image/svg+xml

This district is intended to accommodate single-family dwellings at densities not exceeding 0.5 dwelling units per acre, limited agricultural uses, and other compatible land uses. Properties in this district are generally served by individual wells and septic systems. Development requirements are intended to protect sensitive environmental resources found in the district including surface water, riparian corridors, forest cover, and wildlife habitat.

R2 Single-Family Residential image/svg+xml

This district is intended to accommodate single-family dwellings and duplex units on lots greater than 5,000 square feet along with compatible uses. Although some properties in this district are served by individual wells and septic systems, most are connected to the City’s water and sewer system.

R6 Mixed Residential image/svg+xml

This district is intended to accommodate single-family dwellings and duplex units on lots greater than 5,000 square feet along with other compatible uses. Multi-family units are allowed through the conditional use process. All properties in this district are to be served by the City’s water and sewer system.

R7 Waterfront Residential image/svg+xml

This district includes lots near or abutting Lake Superior and is intended to accommodate resorts, single-family homes, duplexes and twin homes, and multi-family projects. Because public sanitary sewer is not currently available throughout the entire area, extensions will be needed to accommodate higher density projects. As a general rule, new multi-family projects will not exceed 5 dwelling units per acre. The City may on a case-by-case basis consider higher densities when the developer presents an exceptional project that exceeds minimum requirements for protecting natural resources. New lots that are not served by public sanitary sewer will have a minimum lot size of 1.5 acres.