Moving up here

Your fire number

Your address up here is the number on the sign at the end of the driveway. It's what the ambulance and the fire department look for.

• The county's Land Information office assigns every address in the county, the towns and the City of Rhinelander both. The number goes by where your driveway meets the named road.
• Get the Oneida County address application from your town clerk and turn it in to the town with the town's fee. You give the distance each way to the nearest neighbors' driveways or road corners, and a sketch.
• If your road needs a driveway permit from the town, the county or the state, the county won't give a number until that permit's issued.
• The county sends the number to the town, and the town has 30 days to put up the sign. Put up a temporary one until then. The county passes your number on to the fire department, post office and sheriff.
• What the town charges is up to the town. A few as posted: Cassian $100 for the number alone or $250 with the driveway permit, Stella $100 plus $150 for the driveway, Pelican $75 for the sign put up by the town crew.
• Land Information officeCourthouse, 1 S. Oneida Ave., Rhinelander, 2nd floor.715-369-6179Sample application (Pelican's copy)

From ecode360.com, oneidacountywi.gov, Zoning Bldg Code Officials 1, GIS Specialist Addressing Coord posting descrip 2026, townofpelican.com, updated address app, Driveway Application Permit and Address Application 01.01.2024, Fee Schedule 2024, frequently asked questions

Septic

• Every 3 yearsEvery septic system in the county has to be looked at, and the tank pumped, at least once every three years. The tank can skip pumping if it's less than a third full of sludge and scum. A cabin that's only used now and then can ask the county in writing to stretch that to five years.
• The report goes to the county within 30 days of the pumping or inspection. If it's not done, the county can have it pumped, bill you, and put the bill on your taxes. Everybody with a system also pays $5 a year on the tax bill for the county's program.
• Buying a placeThe county code says the seller has to tell the buyer about the maintenance program. Look up what's on file for the property in the county's permit system before you sign.
• New system or a fixIt takes a county sanitary permit, and no zoning permit gets issued for a place you'll live in until the sanitary permit's approved. A conventional system is $500, a mound $650, a holding tank $550 (fee list in effect since January 1, 2026). The county keeps lists of soil testers, plumbers and pumpers.
• Planning & Zoning, sanitaryCourthouse, Rhinelander, weekdays 8 to 4:30.715-369-6130Septic forms and lists · Pumpers list · Look up permits

From ecode360.com, Fee Schedule 010126, Information Handout 111523, oneidacountywi.gov pz, oneidacountywi.gov public documents, townofcassian.org

Building and land use

• County zoningThe county zones every town but three. In Enterprise, Monico and Sugar Camp, the county only covers land within 1,000 feet of a lake or 300 feet of a river or creek. The City of Rhinelander does its own zoning and permits.
• The town has a say tooZoning permits come from the county in every town, but several towns, like Crescent, Pine Lake and Nokomis, have their own land division rules, so splitting a lot goes past the town's plan commission first. Driveway permits come from the town too.
• What needs a permitMost anything you build: a house, garage, shed, deck or patio, any new building over $2,500 or 200 square feet, and tearing a building down. Anything within 75 feet of the water, call first. Ordinary repairs and open fences don't need one.
• What it runs22 cents a square foot off the water, 25 cents on the water, $100 minimum. A camper on a lot is $100. Build first and ask later and it's triple. A permit's good for two years and can't be renewed (fee list in effect since January 1, 2026).
• CampersStaying in a camper more than five days in a row takes a zoning permit, and a sanitary permit if it's hooked to power or water. Your town may have rules of its own.
• Building inspectorThe county doesn't inspect houses; each town hires an inspector for a new house or cottage. Most towns use RC Inspection Agency in Woodruff. Monico, Schoepke and Sugar Camp use Baas Inspection out of Alvin; Little Rice, Lynne and Nokomis use an inspector in Tomahawk; Enterprise uses Duff Leaver Inspections out of Antigo. That's from the county's list of July 2026. A few towns' own older pages still name Rhinelander's inspector, so ask your clerk to be sure.Who covers your town (county list, July 2026)
• Planning & ZoningCourthouse, 1 S. Oneida Ave., Rhinelander, weekdays 8 to 4:30. The Minocqua office at 415 Menominee St. is open Mondays and Fridays only for now.715-369-6130Permit application · Rhinelander permits

From oneidacountywi.gov, Information Handout 111523, Fee Schedule 010126, Camping Handout 6.8.26, Zoning Bldg Code Officials 1, frequently asked questions, townofpinelake.com, townofpelican.com, nokomiswi.gov, rhinelandercityhall.org

Driveways

• On a county roadPermit from the County Highway Department, $100. The commissioner looks over the spot first, and again when it's done, topsoiled and seeded. A culvert has to be at least 15 inches, and a house driveway 16 to 24 feet wide. You've got 90 days to finish it.715-369-6184Permit form · Requirements
• On a town roadMost towns want a permit; get it from the town clerk before you clear for it. Pelican and Stella charge $150, Woodruff $100. Pelican wants a 12-foot surface, clearing 18 feet wide and room to turn around at the end. Keep it 5 feet off the lot line.
• On a state or US highwayThat's a WisDOT permit, form DT1504. The DOT's office in Rhinelander is on Hanson Lake Road.715-365-3490WisDOT permits

From oneidacountywi.gov, Fee Schedule 250210, Driveway Permit Payment Info, ACCESS DRIVEWAY PERMIT REQUIREMENTS lg, Information Handout 111523, driveway app, townofwoodruffwi.gov, wisconsindot.gov

Schools

Which district you're in goes by town, and a few towns are split.

• RhinelanderThe City of Rhinelander, Crescent, Pelican, Pine Lake and Woodboro, most of Newbold and Cassian, and most of Stella.rhinelander.k12.wi.us
• Three LakesThree Lakes, Sugar Camp, Monico, Piehl and a piece of Stella.threelakessd.k12.wi.us
• Minocqua J1 and Lakeland UnionMinocqua, Hazelhurst, Lake Tomahawk and a corner of Cassian go to the Minocqua grade school district, then Lakeland Union for high school.mhlt.org · luhs.k12.wi.us
• Arbor Vitae-Woodruff and Lakeland UnionThe Town of Woodruff. High school is Lakeland Union.avwschool.org
• TomahawkLittle Rice and Nokomis.tomahawk.k12.wi.us
• ElchoEnterprise and Schoepke.elchoschool.org
• PrenticeThe Town of Lynne.prentice.k12.wi.us
• Part of Newbold is in Northland Pines, out of Eagle River. Near a town line? Look up the exact address on the state's map; your tax bill lists the district too.Look up an address

From tvc25, oneidacountywi.gov, data-wi-dpi.opendata.arcgis.com

Doctors and hospitals

• Hospitals in the countyAspirus Rhinelander Hospital, 2251 North Shore Dr., Rhinelander. Howard Young Medical Center, 240 Maple St., Woodruff. Marshfield Medical Center, 9576 Hwy 70, Minocqua.
• Down by TomahawkAspirus Tomahawk Hospital is just over the line in Lincoln County, 401 W. Mohawk Dr.
• County Public Health100 W. Keenan St., Rhinelander. Shots, WIC, well water and radon tests.715-369-6111
• Aging & Disability Resource CenterSame building, for older folks and anyone with a disability.715-369-6170
• Emergencies, 911. Get your fire number up so they can find you.

From hospitaldir, oneidacountywi.gov, 2026 Directory Final Website

Power, gas and phone

• ElectricOn the state's map, Wisconsin Public Service has nearly the whole county, Rhinelander included. Price Electric Co-op has a strip along the west county line by Lynne. The lines on that map are rough, so ask before you buy.
• Natural gasThe state's map gives WPS gas territory in every town but Lynne, which has none. Territory isn't a gas main down your road, though. Ask the utility before you count on it.
• Internet and cellDepends a lot on the road. Check an address on the state and federal maps before you count on it.Wisconsin broadband map · FCC map

From psc.wi.gov Maps, Electric Service Territory 30x42 PUBLIC, Natural Gas 30x42 PUBLIC, psc.wi.gov BroadbandMaps

The dump

Most towns here don't post a dump of their own. You hire a hauler or take it to the county landfill on County K. A few towns run a site or a brush pile, mostly for their own people. Hours as the towns post them:

• County landfill7450 County Hwy K, Rhinelander. Weekdays 7:30 to 4:30, Saturdays 7:30 to noon; the scale shuts 15 minutes before closing. Recycling's free. Garbage is $82 a ton, $20 minimum up to 500 pounds; brush and leaves $25 a ton. Takes tires, appliances, electronics and building waste for a fee.715-282-4944Rates
• Old paint, gas and chemicalsHazardous waste drop-off at the landfill, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8 to 3, by the pound.What they take
• HaulersThe county keeps a list of garbage haulers and which towns each one covers. Crescent says the town doesn't pick up, Nokomis says hire a hauler or take it to the landfill, and Newbold points you to the list.Hauler list
• City of RhinelanderRepublic Services picks up trash weekly and recycling every other week for houses, paid on the tax bill. No bulk items. New house? Call the city clerk.715-365-8600City page
• Pine LakeHoward Disposal picks up trash weekly and recycling every other week for every house in town, on the town's contract. The town opens two brush and leaf dumps on set weekends; dates go up on the town site.Town site
• Three LakesTransfer site at 1313 S. Big Lake Loop Road, town residents. May 25 through September 30, 2026: Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 8 to 4 (out for lunch 1 to 1:30), Wednesdays 8 to noon. October 3 to December 28, 2026: Saturdays and Mondays 8 to noon, Sundays 9 to noon. A bag is one coupon or $4 cash; coupon sheets come from the town treasurer. Recycling's free. Brush site there, usually Memorial Day to Thanksgiving.715-546-3316Town site
• Little Rice3737 County Y, Sundays noon to 4. Town property owners only, with the town's permit. Republic runs it.Town site
• LynneAt the town hall, 5102 Willow Road: Sundays 2 to 3, Mondays 9 to 10. At the old town hall, Town Hall Road at Johnson Road: Sundays 3:30 to 4:30, Mondays 10:30 to 11:30. Sort your glass, plastic and cans.Town site
• Brush onlyLake Tomahawk: 6886 Hwy 47, weekdays 6 to 2:30, residents only, limbs under 6 inches. Minocqua: weekends 8 to 4 spring through fall, town permit needed. Woodruff: 7960 Hwy J between Bass Lake Road and Sweeney Road, set Saturdays and Mondays 7 to 2, call the clerk to get on the list. Nokomis: 9855 Buckhorn Road, west gate weekdays 7 to 5 until November 20, 2026.Lake Tomahawk · Woodruff dates · Nokomis

Cassian, Enterprise, Hazelhurst, Monico, Pelican, Piehl, Schoepke, Stella, Sugar Camp and Woodboro don't post a town dump; ask your clerk. Hours change with the seasons, so call before a long drive.

From oneidacountywi.gov sw, oneidacountywi.gov rates, oneidacountywi.gov hazardous waste, oneidacountywi.gov garbage hauler, rhinelanderwi.us, townofpinelake.com trash, townofpinelake.com FAQ, townofthreelakeswi.gov, 2026 Town of Three Lakes Transfer Site Rates, 2026 Town of Three Lakes Brush Site Rates, townoflittlerice.com, townoflynne.com, laketomahawkwi.org, townofminocqua.org, townofwoodruffwi.gov, nokomiswi.gov brush recycling, nokomiswi.gov faqs, frequently asked questions, newboldwi.gov

Paying property tax

• Bills go out in mid-December. The first half, or the whole bill, is due January 31 to your town (or the City of Rhinelander). The second half goes to the County Treasurer by July 31. Anything after January 31 goes to the county.
• Most towns take a check by mail or in their drop box, and some take it online for a card fee. A few hold in-person collection days in December and January; check your tax bill insert. Mailing it late in January? Have the post office hand-stamp it.
• That $5 POWTS charge on the bill is the county's septic program fee.
• County TreasurerCourthouse, Rhinelander, 1st floor, weekdays 8 to 4:30. Online and phone payments for the second half open about the first week of February; cards cost 2.39% extra, eChecks $1.50.715-369-6137Ways to pay · Look up your bill

From oneidacountywi.gov, townofcassian.org, townofthreelakeswi.gov, townofminocqua.org, laketomahawkwi.org, newboldwi.gov, rhinelanderwi.us

Burning brush

• The county leaves burning permits to the DNR. Burning a brush pile or a barrel when the ground isn't all snow takes a free DNR burning permit, and you check that day's rules after 9 in the morning before you light anything. Your town can be stricter; Pine Lake's fire department hands out permits too.
• The DNR permit doesn't cover inside the City of Rhinelander. The city has its own burning permit.City burning permit
• DNR burn permits1-888-947-2876Get a permit online · Today's restrictions

From oneidacountywi.gov, dnr.wisconsin.gov, townofpinelake.com, townoflynne.com, rhinelandercityhall.org

License and plates

• Moving from another state? You can title and plate your vehicles online with your out-of-state title.WisDOT new residents · What to bring
• DMVIn the state DOT building at 510 Hanson Lake Road in Rhinelander, weekdays 8:30 to 4:45.Hours and closed days

From wisconsindot.gov, trust.dot.state.wi.us

County offices

The courthouse is at 1 S. Oneida Avenue in Rhinelander, open weekdays 8 to 4:30.

• Sheriff's office2000 E. Winnebago St. Emergencies, call 911.715-361-5100
• County ClerkMarriage licenses and elections.715-369-6125
• Treasurer715-369-6137
• Register of DeedsDeeds and birth, death and marriage records. Mail-in requests need a stamped envelope back.715-369-6150
• Veterans Service Office715-369-6127
• Planning & Zoning, septic715-369-6130
• Land InformationFire numbers, maps and property records.715-369-6179
• Highway Department730 W. Kemp St.715-369-6184

From oneidacountywi.gov departments, 2026 Directory Final Website, oneidacountywi.gov ck, oneidacountywi.gov rd, oneidacountywi.gov sd

Voting and your town

• You vote in your own town, not at the courthouse. Register online at MyVote, or with your town clerk or at the polls with proof of where you live. Bring a photo ID to vote.MyVote Wisconsin
• Every town's clerk, treasurer and meeting night are in the county directory.County directory
• Dog licenseEvery dog 5 months and older needs one each year from your town, with the rabies shot paperwork. Woodboro and Cassian charge $10 fixed, $20 not; Woodruff $12 and $22, $5 late after April 1.

From oneidacountywi.gov, hazelwi.net, sugarcamp.org, 2026 Directory Final Website, tax collections 2025 insert, Fee Schedule 2024, townofwoodruffwi.gov

Mail and the library

• Zip codesRhinelander 54501 covers a lot of the middle of the county, Monico too. Harshaw 54529, Hazelhurst 54531, Lake Tomahawk 54539, Minocqua 54548, Pelican Lake 54463, Three Lakes 54562, Tomahawk 54487, Tripoli 54564, Woodruff 54568.
• LibrariesRhinelander District Library, the Minocqua Public Library in the Minocqua Center at 415 Menominee St., and the Demmer Memorial Library at 6961 W. School St. in Three Lakes.Rhinelander · Minocqua · Three Lakes

From 2026 Directory Final Website, rhinelandercityhall.org, townofminocqua.org, townofthreelakeswi.gov

Tribal nations

• Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa IndiansThe reservation is mostly in Vilas County, next door to the north.ldftribe.com · State page
• Sokaogon Chippewa Community (Mole Lake)Southwest Forest County, near Crandon.State page
• The Oneida Nation shares the name but not the place: its reservation is down by Green Bay, in Brown and Outagamie counties.State page

From dpi.wi.gov tribalnationswi, dpi.wi.gov ldf, dpi.wi.gov sokaogon, dpi.wi.gov oneida