Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: property owners are required to keep their sidewalk clear of ice and snow within 24 hours of any snowfall.

Salt/Sand piles can be found at the following locations within the city:
- West Second Street near the Sheriff’s Department.
- East Elizabeth Street near the Skate Park
- West Richmond Street at Sturgeon Park

Don’t forget to bring your own shovel and container!

City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., except for specific holidays.

Eddie Sheppard, the City Administrator holds office hours at City Hall (127 S. Sawyer Street) Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Fridays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am or by appointment. 

City residents may obtain dog and cat licenses at Shawano City Hall. Licenses are effective January 1st to December 31.

Proof of rabies vaccination must be presented at issuance of license.

An additional $5 State Penalty is charged if your dog license is not obtained before April 1st.

Dog and cat license fees are $15 for an unaltered male or female and $10 for a dog or cat who is neutered or spayed

All City of Shawano residents vote at Shawano City Hall. The polling place is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For further information about voting and voter registration call the City Clerk or Deputy Clerk at 715-526-6138 or visit the

The weight room is open during all business hours.

All pool hours are listed on our schedule.

The Police Department lobby is open Monday-Thursday, 7:00 am-4:30 pm Friday 7:00 am-11:00 am, excluding holidays.

Available services include parking ticket payment, open records requests, bicycle licensing, taxi driver licensing and fingerprinting.

Complaints regarding tall grass, junked vehicles, rubbish and snow/ice on sidewalks in the City of Shawano contact Dena Henning at 715-526-6138.

The Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator’s office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

For zoning questions or to request a zone change for City property, contact the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator Department at 715-526-6138.

Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and is located at:
127 S Sawyer Street
Shawano, WI 51466

The office hours for the Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court Clerk are Monday - Wednesday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (closed from 11:30-12:00), Thursdays from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (closed from 11:00 to 12:00) and Fridays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.

TID = Tax Increment District

The actual physical area designated for potential development projects.

TIF = Tax Increment Financing

The economic development program that helps promote local tax base expansion by using property tax revenue to fund site improvements within a specified area (see TID). 

Every year when we pay our property tax bills, several different taxing entities receive a portion of this revenue. The jurisdictions include the City, Shawano School District, Shawano County, Technical College, and the State of Wisconsin. Although the City collects the full property tax payment from you, we only retain a portion of the total for our operations and finances. And while the City is the only entity involved in investing in the growth of the tax base, the other taxing jurisdictions also benefit from that growth.

When new development occurs within a TID, 100% of the new tax revenue is retained to pay off project costs. Projects could be new roads, water, sewer, blight elimination/raising of buildings (such as the Naber building, which is currently being developed into the Downtown Plaza), development incentives, and other project costs permitted by state law. General city property taxpayers DO NOT pay for these costs – they are paid for only by developments that occur within the TID itself.

It is important to note that revenue from the original, pre-TID property values continues to go to the taxing entities, like the school district, to ensure they are not losing revenue. One of the common misconceptions about TIF is that properties within a district do not pay taxes. That is not true. Each property owner within the district is charged property taxes based on the value of their property, and at the same rate as everyone else in the community.

Essentially, the other taxing entities are foregoing new tax revenue (generated only from tax base that would not occur “but for” the TID being in place) for a period of years until the TID closes. When the TID closes, ALL of the taxing entities benefit from the increased tax revenues within the TID. The local city or village is the agent that invests in economic development, but from which all other entities benefit financially.

Prior to the creation of any TID, a Joint Review Board must approve it. This Joint Review Board, required by state law, has a voting representative from each of the affected taxing entities, as well as a citizen representative. Further, the Joint Review Board must be assured the TID is financially able to pay itself off so general taxpayers do not have to pay for costs associated with TID projects.

Cities, villages, and towns, even when they are neighbors, often compete for new tax base and job growth as they look for revenue to ensure they can continue to provide residents with the best possible public services with the lowest property tax burden. The desire to be the best possible place to live and work is a value held by all communities; thus, the associated competition for economic development. New tax base means new revenue; new job growth means more money available to spend in the local economy and on local businesses; new businesses and amenities (public and private) means more people viewing the community as a place to invest in a home and/or in which to raise a family. New economic development increases tax base so residents do not experience higher property tax bills in the future. The City of Shawano Common Council wishes to ensure high-quality services and amenities, with the lowest required taxes possible.