Show All Answers

1. When is City Hall open?

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

2. Where is City Hall located?

City Hall is located at:
127 S Sawyer Street
Shawano, WI 54166

The building houses not only City Hall, but also the City Police Department, the Community Room and the Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court.

3. What is City Hall's telephone and fax number?

City Hall's telephone number is 715-526-6138 and the fax number is 715-526-5751.

4. What are the City Administrator's Office Hours?

Eddie Sheppard, the City Administrator holds office hours at City Hall (127 S. Sawyer Street) Monday-Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.

5. How many dogs and cats can I have in my household?

According to City of Shawano Municipal Code Section 7.13(7) no household shall have more than 3 dogs and 3 cats over 5 months of age.

6. Where do I obtain a dog or cat license?

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 $10 for an unaltered male or female and $4 for a dog or cat who is neutered or spayed

7. Where do I vote and what are the voting hours?

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 Clerk-Treasurer or Deputy Clerk at 715-526-6138 or visit the Clerk-Treasurer page.

8. Who do I contact regarding my Real Estate Taxes and/or Personal Property Taxes?

If you have questions regarding your city real estate taxes and/or personal property taxes contact the City Clerk-Treasurer at 715-526-6138 or stop in at City Hall.

You may be able to find your answers right here in our website on the Clerk-Treasurer's page.

9. What is the licensing period for Liquor Licenses?

Liquor Licenses run from July 1st to June 30th. If you are applying after July 1st, your fees will be prorated accordingly.

10. When are Real Estate Taxes due?

1st Installment: January 31st (Please use first/full payment stub)
2nd Installment: April 30th (Please use second payment stub)
3rd Installment: July 31st (Please use third payment stub)

Personal Property Taxes are due in full on January 31st.

Show All Answers

1. What are the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator's office hours at City Hall?

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

2. When do I need a fence permit?

You must obtain a fence permit for any fence longer than 24' in length from the Building Inspector.

3. Do I need a swimming pool permit?

Yes, if the swimming pool can contain more than 24 inches of water. Pools must be setback at least 5 feet from the side or rear lot lines and from any other structure. The permit fee is $40.

Also, the pool must be completely enclosed by a fence of not less than 5 feet nor more than 6 feet in height. Gates need to be provided with locking devices. Fencing must be erected within 5 days of completion of pool. A fence permit, which is $40, is required.

You may submit an online application for a swimming pool permit.

4. How does one request a property rezoning?

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

Show All Answers

1. How do I dispose of household hazardous wastes?

To learn more please visit our Household Hazardous Waste page.

2. What is recyclable?

You can find out more about what is recyclable on our Public Work's Recycling Information page.

3. What is the City's policy on yard and wood waste?

You can find out all of the city's policies and procedures for waste collection on our Waste Collection Rules and Regulations page.

4. When is garbage and recycling picked up?

The City of Shawano provides collection of refuse from residents on a weekly basis and recycling on a biweekly basis. City issued automated carts must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. the day of collection but not before 5 p.m. preceding the normal collection day. You may call the Department of Public Works at 715-526-3512 to see when you collection day is scheduled or visit the Public Works page.

5. Where are the city salt sand piles located?

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!

6. Where is the Shawano Landfill located and what are the hours of operation?

For more information please visit the Shawano Landfill Information page.

7. When is garbage and recycling picked up?

The City of Shawano provides collection of refuse from residents on a weekly basis and recycling on a biweekly basis. City issued automated carts must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. the day of collection but not before 5 p.m. preceding the normal collection day. You may call the Department of Public Works at 715-526-3512 to see when you collection day is scheduled or visit the Public Works page.

8. When is the Department of Public Works open?

The department is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm except specified holidays.

Show All Answers

1. How do I rent a Park Shelter?

Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (715) 526-6171 for Shelter availability.

2. When is the weight room open?

The weight room is open during all business hours.

Current Schedule

3. What are the pool hours?

All pool hours are listed on our schedule.

Current Schedule

Show All Answers

1. What are the Police Department's lobby hours?

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

2. What services are available at the Police Department lobby?

Available services include vehicle registration and license plate renewal, parking ticket payment, open records requests, bicycle licensing, taxi driver licensing and fingerprinting.

3. When does snow need to be removed from sidewalks?

The owner or lessee of every lot or parcel of land in the city in front of or abutting upon a sidewalk shall clear the entire sidewalk of snow or ice within 24 hours after any given snowfall and shall cause the entire sidewalk to be kept clear of snow and ice.

4. Who do I contact when I have a complaint about tall grass, rubbish, junked vehicles and snow/ice on sidewalks in the City?

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

Show All Answers

1. Where is Shawano Municipal Utilities (SMU) located?

SMU is located at 122 N Sawyer Street.

2. What are the office hours/phone/fax numbers for Shawano Municipal Utilities?

SMU office hours are 7:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. The main office phone number is 715-526-3131. The fax number is 715-524-3798.

3. How do I report a street light that is not working?

If you notice a street light that is out or not working properly, please call Shawano Municipal Utilities at 715-526-3131. You may also click the website button "Report a Concern" and complete the requested information.

4. Can on-line payments be made?

Yes, please go to the web site link. You will need to know your account number and customer number. Write down the confirmation number as proof of payment.

Show All Answers

1. Where is the Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court Clerk's office and the Municipal Court room?

Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court Clerk's office is located at 127 S. Sawyer Street, Shawano, WI inside City Hall. The Municipal Courtroom is located at 129 S. Sawyer Street, Shawano, WI and is part of the same building but has a separate entrance.

2. What are the office hours for the Municipal Court Clerk?

The office hours for the Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court Clerk are Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

3. What is the number for the Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court?

Shawano-Bonduel Municipal Court Clerk's telephone number is 715-524-6173.

Show All Answers

1. What is the difference between "TID" and "TIF"?

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). 

2. How does TIF work?

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.

3. Why would a community use TIF?

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.