Board adopts cleanup amendments to land division rules, clarifies flag-lot standard

The Rock County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 12 approved amendments to section 4.1 of the county land-use code that the planning director described as cleanup and codification of committee decisions, particularly addressing how "flag lots" are defined and measured.

Andrew Baker, the county's planning director, said the ordinance changes are not driven by state law but by 14 years of administrative questions and appeals since the ordinance was adopted in roughly 2012. Baker said the amendment clarifies definitions and the instruments used for land divisions and specifically adjusts the minimum access width for flag lots from 100 feet to 50 feet in the county code "so then you're not taking up extra land," while noting towns may apply the more restrictive 100-foot standard if they choose.

Supervisor Townes asked why the change was needed now; Baker said the update codifies committee rulings and addresses practical concerns such as long driveways and safety. After discussion, the board voted on the motion to amend (moved by Supervisor Sutterland and seconded by Supervisor Schultz) and approved the ordinance amendment by voice vote.

The amendment is framed as administrative cleanup and does not change town zoning authority, Baker said, adding, "towns, we're kind of balancing county ordinances and town zoning ordinances ... the most restrictive would apply." The planning office will implement the clarified standards and apply them in future land-division reviews.

The amendment was presented as a first-reading referral under the county's procedural rules and was approved by the full board during the meeting.