The Eau Claire Plan Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Eau Claire City Council. The Commission advises the City Council on all planning and zoning related issues. The Commission is responsible for preparing and updating the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Plan Commission also reviews all applications for subdivisions (plats), conditional use permits (CUPs), home occupations, rezoning requests and site plans. Questions for these various Plan Commission reviews can be obtained by contacting the Planning Division.

Application Information

The City of Eau Claire's Zoning Ordinance establishes land use and building requirements for property within the City to meet the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan. Eau Claire is divided into zoning districts that have regulations governing the use of property, location of buildings, size of buildings, the size of yards and open spaces, parking and other site improvements. The Planning Division administers the Zoning Ordinance and provides staff support for the Eau Claire Plan Commission. Copies of the Zoning Ordinance can be obtained for a fee of $5.00. 

Mapping service

For further zoning information, follow the zoning page or contact the Planning Division at 715-839-4914 or planning@eauclairewi.gov.

The City's Subdivision Ordinance establishes standards for the division of land into lots for development by encouraging well-planned, efficient and attractive layouts of lots and streets. The City also requires and reviews Certified Survey Maps (CSM's) for lot splits and the creation of new lots. In addition, the City reviews all subdivisions and CSM's which are located outside the City, but within three miles of its corporate limits.

Petitions to annex property to the City are handled by the Planning Division. Prior to submitting a petition to annex property, it is advisable to discuss the proposal with staff. Any property proposed for annexation must meet the following criteria:

• The land must be contiguous to the City and cannot lie within another city or village.
• The annexation will not cause the creation of an island which is not part of the City.
• The proposed annexation is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.

Applications must be submitted to the Planning Division for review prior to sending to the state.  For additional questions, please contact 715-839-4914 or planning@eauclairewi.gov.

Current Population

The Wisconsin Demographic Services Center's 2023 estimate places Eau Claire at 71,304.  This is a 2.71% increase of 1,883 people from the 2020 Census of 69,421.

Census Data

Click here for the 2020 Census Report for the City of Eau Claire. 

The table below shows Eau Claire's growth since 1960.

Year	Population	# of Housing Units	Area in Sq Mi
1960	37,987	12,221	19.27
1970	44,619	14,274	21.30
1980	51,509	18,359	27.47
1990	56,856	21,880	30.16
2000	61,704	24,895	32.59
2010	65,883	26,330	32.90
2020	69,421	29,987	32.70

 

 

Landscape Manual
Solar Ordinance Brochure
Exterior Lighting Rules Brochure
Multi-Family Design Guidelines
Census 2020 Summary for the City

Waterway and Greenway Guidelines

Overview of Housing Task Force

Housing Task Force Summary of Recommendations

Chippewa Valley Housing Recommendations Report

Meeting of Chippewa Valley Housing Task Force (12/11/20)

The Development Report is previously known as the Development Map and Report.  This report is now combined with the Development Update Newsletter in the section below (since 2020).

2023

2022

2021

2020 

2019

2018

2017

2016

This Newsletter is now combined with the Development Summary (previously known as the Development Map and Report) which is found in the section above.  

2019 Update
2018 Update
2017 Update
2016 Update