Construction, Zoning and Addressing
Apply for an Address / Fire Number
New construction or development in the Town of Winchester requires a site address (fire number) assigned by Vilas County. Here's everything you need to get started.
Before You Begin
Complete all of the following before submitting your address application to Vilas County. Missing any of these will delay your application.
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✓Obtain a driveway/access permit from the authority of your access road (Town, County, or State)
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✓Obtain a zoning permit (structure or sanitary) from Vilas County — vacant land cannot be addressed
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✓Clearly mark your driveway location where it meets the named road
How to Get Your Address
Follow these steps in order. Each step must be completed before proceeding to the next.
Get a Driveway / Access Permit
If your driveway accesses a Town of Winchester road, download the application below and submit it to the Town Clerk along with the permit fee. Existing driveways may not require a new permit.
Obtain a County Zoning Permit
Vilas County does not address vacant land. A structure or sanitary zoning permit is required before an address can be assigned — this demonstrates your intent to develop the property. Permits are issued through the Vilas County Zoning Department.
Monday 8–11am
Wednesday 8–11am
Thursday 8–11am
Mark Your Driveway
Before your address application is submitted, make sure the location of your driveway is clearly identified where it intersects the named road. The Town of Winchester will perform your fire number sign installation after the address is assigned, so the driveway must be easy to locate.
Submit the Vilas County Address Application
Once your driveway permit, zoning permit, and driveway markings are in order, submit the Uniform Address Application to the Vilas County Land Information Office. The application is completed online.
Pay the Fire Number Fee
After your address has been assigned by Vilas County, pay the fire number fee to the Town of Winchester. This covers the cost of your fire number sign and its installation.
Sign Installation
Once your address is assigned and your fee is received, the Town of Winchester will fabricate and install your fire number sign at your driveway location. Installation times can vary significantly — from approximately 6 weeks to 6 months — depending on weather, workload, and other factors. You can call the Town Clerk's office at any time for a status update.
Allow at Least Two Weeks
A typical address assignment takes approximately two weeks after a complete application is submitted. The timeframe may be longer if issues with existing addresses are discovered or if a road needs to be named.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question not covered here? Contact the Town Clerk or the Vilas County Addressing Coordinator.