Campfires or bonfires require a burning permit. Small recreational fires are allowed without a permit as long as they are in a portable device (such as the metal burning pits sold at hardware stores) or non-combustible structures with lids and ember-arresting screens.
The following requirements also apply:
- Fires must be at least 10 feet from any structure of combustible material
- No burning of trash, recyclables, yard waste, rubber, leather, plastic, flammables
- A fire extinguisher, hose or water container must be present
- Fires must be attended at all times
- No fires are allowed between 12am and 7am
- Fires shall not create excessive smoke which affects other properties
These items may not be burned. For collection dates for these items consult the Yard Waste Schedule or Garbage/Recycling Schedule. Controlled burning of grass or similar vegetation for environmental management purposes requires a burning permit.
Click here for Village Ordinances related to burning.
Complete a Municipal Complaint Form. Anonymous complaints will not be processed and complaints are subject to public record requests.
Rental forms are available on the Community Center section of the website and can also be picked up at Village Hall. Dates are reserved upon completion of application and payment of rental fee and security deposit. Security deposits may be picked up after your event, provided there is no damage to the facility. Rental fees start at four hours or less and can be increased in one hour increments. Additional time needed for set-up or clean-up must be pre-approved before the event. /services/parks-recreation/community-center/
The Community Center can accommodate 200 seated auditorium style or 100 seated banquet style.
There are Cushioned Chairs – 125, Tables - 2- 5’ Round, and Tables - 16- 30” x 72” Rectangle available.
The kitchen contains two stoves, one refrigerator and one freezer. The Community Center kitchen is for catering and reheating only and may not be used for the preparation of food.
Liquor, wine or beer may be served at your private event as long as it is free. You may not charge for alcohol of any kind. Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 125 forbids dispensing liquor to persons under 21 years of age. Glass bottles are not permitted.
No tacking, taping, nailing, pinning or stapling in any manner to attach any object, sign, decoration, ornamentation, wire or any other tangible item to the premises is allowed. No candles (lit or unlit), torch or other ignited or flame-bearing objects are allowed. No helium-filled balloons are allowed unless tied or weighted down. No rice, confetti, glitter, or bird seed will be allowed indoors or outdoors.
Refunds for fees and deposit require minimum 30-day notice. If event is not cancelled 30 days prior, the rental fee is forfeited.
Yes, the compost site is now only accessible through the use of a compost card.
The compost site is accessible 24/7 with a compost card.
The Village will still have the regular brush & compost pick up. That schedule may be found on our website under the Department of Public Works.
The cards do not expire. If you lose the card, you will have to repay the $15 fee. If you move, please return the card to Village Hall to deactivate your name to prevent misuse.
No, each card is issued one per household/business and given a unique number and card usage is monitored. If there is excessive use, card holders will be contacted.
Punching a hole in the card will disable it. If you need to label your card, do so with a soft tip sharpie or sticker to avoid damaging the internal components.
To verify available dates, view the appropriate park calendar on the Village website or call Village Hall 920-699-2296. Reservation Forms are available on the Village web site or at Village Hall.
Dogs are not allowed in Village parks with the exception of Crossroads Landing Park. If you wish to exercise your dog at a park, the Jefferson County Dog Park is located just south of the Village off of State Highway 26.
Please visit the Joint Recreation website, email or call 920-699-7386.
Cats are not required to be licensed. Dogs five months of age or older must be licensed every year. Dog licenses expire December 31 each year. Proof of a current rabies vaccination must be provided to obtain a license. You do not need to wait until your dog's vet appointment to obtain a license as long as the previous shot has not yet expired.
License fees:
- $15 per unaltered dog
- $10 for spayed or neutered dogs$25 late fee on license obtained AFTER March 31 (unless dog is newly of age to receive a rabies vaccination or new to your household)
- $25 additional dog fee for each dog over two in the household, Additional Dog Agreement form required (available at Village Hall)
If you are unable to license your dog(s) at Village Hall during office hours, please use Village Hall drop box to apply for dog license(s) and we will mail them to you. Include a dog license form, copy of most recent rabies vaccination, appropriate license fees, and $1.00 mailing fee.
Each household is permitted to own or keep two dogs. Households with more than two dogs shall file an "Additional Dog Agreement" with the Village. The agreement requires the number of dogs to be reduced to two if the Police Department receives nuisance calls related to the excess number of dogs at the property. There is also an annual additional dog fee of $25 added to the license fees for each dog exceeding the two allowed.
The owner of any pet shall be responsible for immediate removal of animal waste deposited on any property other than the owner's property. To make a complaint about failure to remove animal waste, please contact the Police Department at 920-699-2111 at the time the incident occurs.
Click here for Village Ordinances related to pets and animals.
- Post Office: 920-699-3395
- Charter Communications (phone, tv): 800-581-0081
- LRS/Badgerland (garbage pickup): 608-580-0580
- TDS Telecom (phone, tv): 920-699-3411 or 888-837-6345
- WE Energies (gas & electric): 800-242-9137
Village properties are assessed by Associated Appraisal. Please visit their website for detailed information.
Notices of assessment are mailed only if there was a change to your property value from the prior year.
Contact Associated Appraisal at 800-721-4157 to discuss your assessed value and how it was calculated.
If you can not reach a resolution, you may need to appear at the Board of Review hearing (usually held in May each year.) Board of Review meeting details and notices are posted annually on the Assessor page of the Village web site. The State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue has some very helpful information regarding property values.
Tax bills are mailed on or before the third Monday of December each year.
Real estate taxes are payable either in full or minimum of first installment by January 31 to the Village of Johnson Creek. If you choose to pay in installments, the second payment is due July 31 to the Jefferson County Treasurer. Personal property taxes are due in full on or before January 31.
Residents who have resided within the Village of Johnson Creek limits for at least 28 days prior to the election are eligible to vote here. The polling place is Johnson Creek Community Center, located at 417 Union Street, Johnson Creek. On Election Day, polls are open from 7am - 8pm.
Visit myvote.wi.gov to register to vote. Online registration ends the third Wednesday prior to an election. After that point registration must be done in the office of the Municipal Clerk. Proof of residence is required.
Any qualified elector who is unable or unwilling to appear at the polling place on Election Day may request an absentee ballot. Request an absentee ballot by visiting myvote.wi.gov. Requests for absentee ballots by mail must be made by 5pm the Thursday prior to an election. In-person absentee voting takes place in the Clerk's office beginning two weeks prior to an election and ends the Friday prior to the election.
A cross-connection is a direct or potential connection between any part of the public water supply system and a source of contamination or pollution. The most common form of cross-connection is a garden hose, which is easily connected to the public water supply system and can be used to apply a variety of potentially dangerous substances, including chemicals and fertilizer. Another common cross-connection is the lack of an air gap on water softeners. This is a cross-connection because the water line is connected into the sewer drain and a backup could contaminate the water supply. Other common cross-connections may include dishwashers, toilets, pressure washers, boilers, pools and lawn sprinkler systems.
Water normally flows in one direction, from the public water system through the customer’s cold or hot water plumbing system to a faucet or other plumbing fixture. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as back-flow, and it occurs when back-siphonage or back-pressure is created in a water line.
Back-siphonage may occur when there is a drop in the supply pressure of the water distribution system. This can be caused by a water line break, water main repair, or during withdrawal from a nearby fire hydrant. This creates a vacuum, which may pull or siphon contaminants or pollutants into the drinking water supply.
Back-pressure may be created when a source of pressure, such as a pump, boiler, or other building creates a pressure greater than that supplied from the water distribution; this may force water to reverse direction.
During a cross-connection survey, a representative of the water utility will perform a walk-through of the water system piping in the building or property, starting at the water meter and ending at the last free-flowing tap.
At minimum, Johnson Creek water personnel must survey/inspect residential units at the time of water meter installation and/or testing (every 10 years). Commercial and industrial facilities are inspected every two years.
If your water bill suddenly seems high, please be aware that most occurrences of high usage come from leaks within the house. Toilet leaks are the most common cause of high usage and can occur in new or old toilets. A leaking toilet is often characterized by a toilet that always needs the handle “jiggled” to stop running, and toilet leaks can often times be silent.
To check a toilet for leaks, wait 5-10 minutes after flushing, and then remove the tank cover:
- Is the water level in the tank too high and spilling into the overflow tube? If yes, you have a leak. If no, try the next step:
- Put 2-3 drops of food coloring in your toilet tank and let stand for 20 minutes. Is there food coloring in the bowl? If yes, you have a leak.
- Other common high usage culprits are dripping faucets, outdoor hoses being left on, water softener or water heater malfunctions/leaks.
Check to see if your water softener is leaking, or if it is cycling more than necessary. Any of these issues can cost you hundreds of dollars per year and should be repaired immediately.
If you are moving in or out of a property in Johnson Creek where you are responsible for the water and sewer bill, contact the Village Hall at 920-699-2296 to set up or cancel service.
The amount of usage is not billed to the last drop used, but rather is billed by each thousand gallon registered on the meter. If your bill is the same amount more than one month in a row, this simply means you are relatively consistent with your usage, but not that you used exactly the same amount down to the gallon.
The last full water rate increase was needed for operations and to replace aging water mains. The Village Board petitioned the Public Service Commission for approval of a water rate increase in 1996 and the increase was granted to apply to usage after 30 January, 1997. The most recent simplified water rate increase (an inflationary increase) is anticipated to be effective 28 June, 2024 and will be a 4.1% increase over current rates.
Sewer rates are approved by the Village Board. An increase of 8% is anticipated effective at the same time as the simplified water rate increase (28 June, 2024). Another increase of 8% effective one year from that date has been approved by the Village Board. The rate increase is necessary to cover an operating deficit in the Sewer Fund as well as pay for debt service on the upcoming sludge de-watering facility construction. The treatment plant's current sludge processing equipment failed costing the Village nearly $200,000 annually to truck the sludge to where it can be properly disposed of or processed.
If your property has only one meter, yes. However, utility customers may choose to install a second meter to measure outdoor usage separately. Second meters (water-only meters) are permanent and require plumbing work that must be performed by a licensed plumber. Only customers who regularly use 20,000 gallons or more of outdoor water each year will see a cost savings with a second meter.
If you plan to install a second meter, you or your plumber needs to apply for a plumbing permit before the work is performed. Once plumbing is complete, the building inspector must inspect the work (Building Inspector Phone: 920-699-2295. Following inspection, the Building Inspector will inform the Water Department that the meter can be installed. A $25.00 installation fee is billed to the property owner following installation. A regular 5/8”x 3/4” second meter is charged a meter fee of $6.00 per month plus water usage of $2.44 per 1,000 gallons.