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1. Can I apply online?

answer here

2. Do I have to license my pets?

Answer here.

3. Where can I sign up for utilities?

Answer here

4. What are the pool hours?

The pool is open from Noon until 4:30 pm. Pool Info

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1. What is the city’s collection day?

Refuse and recycling is collected Wednesdays. Refuse is collected on a weekly basis while recycling is collected bi-weekly (every other week).

2. What are the collection hours?

Refuse and recycling are collected between the hours of 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Refuse and recycling must be to the curb by 7:00 AM.

3. How large are the carts?

Larger refuse and recycling carts are  95-gallons in size. Smaller refuse and recycling carts are 65-gallons in size. Please contact Columbia County Solid Waste with any cart size questions.

4. Where should carts be placed for collection?

On Wednesdays, place the gray refuse cart on one side of your driveway or property. Place the blue recycling cart on the other side. The lid opening must face the street. Keep the cart at least three feet away from:

• The other cart
• Vehicles
• Trees
• Mailboxes
• Utility poles or boxes
• Fire hydrants
• Other structures

5. Who owns the carts?

Refuse and recycling carts are the property of Columbia County Solid Waste.

6. Who should be contacted for cart related issues?

Any issues with a cart should be directed to Columbia County Solid Waste’s office, 608-742-6651.

7. Are other containers or plastic bags acceptable for refuse or recycling collection?

Only items placed inside the carts will be collected. Full plastic bags placed inside the carts are acceptable.

8. What items can go into the recycling cart?

Items such as aluminum, cardboard, plastic bottles, plastic jars, glass bottles, glass jars, paper, and tin food cans are accepted as recycling material by the city’s collection provider.  A more comprehensive list of acceptable recycling materials is available on the Columbia County Solid Waste website.

9. What items can go into the refuse cart?

The refuse (or trash) cart should hold non-recyclable materials. No liquids, electronics, hazardous materials, or recyclables are permitted in the refuse cart.  All refuse must be in the cart. Materials not placed in the cart will not be collected.

10. Where can I store the refuse and recycling carts on days other than collection days?

Carts can be stored in garages, along the sides of properties, or behind properties. Storage of carts in the front of properties is not permitted.

11. How does payment occur for this program?

The annual refuse and recycling program fee is $147 per eligible residence or business. The program fee is payable as a special fee on property tax bills.

12. My residence/small business is new. How do I receive carts?

Property owners of newly constructed residences should contact City Hall once they receive an occupancy permit. New residents will be required to pay a prorated portion of the year prior to receiving garbage and recycling carts. Subsequent charges for garbage and recycling cart collection will be assessed on property taxes as a special fee.

Small businesses who opt into the city's garbage and recycling collection program should contact City Hall. The property owner where the small business resides will be required to pay a prorated portion of the year prior to the small business owner receiving garbage and recycling carts. Subsequent charges for garbage and recycling cart collection will be assessed on property taxes as a special fee until the city is notified that the collection services are no longer needed.

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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1. How do I obtain a copy of a police report?

Records are available for request and/or inspection Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

2. Is there a cost associated with getting a police report?

Yes, cost of all city services are established in a fee schedule available at City Hall.

Police reports are $1 per page. Other costs apply for fax requests and electronic media. Please contact the department with any questions.

3. Why does the police report I received have information blocked out?

The Driver Privacy Protection Act and other applicable juvenile laws require certain information to be redacted from records prior to release.

4. Can I register my motor vehicle at the police station?

Yes, the Lodi Police Department offers registration services for passenger cars, light trucks, and motorcycles. The police department can renew an expiring registration. The police department does not offer moped, trailer, or heavy truck registration. The police department does not complete title transactions for persons seeking personalized plates.

5. How can I pay a parking ticket?

Parking tickets can be mailed to the police station at 142 S. Main Street, Lodi, WI 53555. The Police Department also offers a convenient drop box attached to the exterior of the building for walk-in customers.

6. How can I pay a traffic citation?

At the time you received the traffic citation, the officer should have issued you an envelope with the court’s address. If not, you can obtain an envelope at the Lodi Police Department or mail your payment and a copy of the traffic citation to Eastern Columbia County Joint Municipal Court, 248 W. Stroud Street, Randolph, WI 53956. You may also pay online via the Online Citation Payments portal.

7. How do I obtain a handicap parking tag or plates?

Please download the application and instructions for permanent and temporary parking permits.

8. Can I park my recreational vehicle in the City of Lodi?

Yes, but only temporarily. No unoccupied recreational vehicle exceeding 21 feet in length shall be parked for more than 48 hours on public streets or public parking areas in all zoning districts. The 48 hour limitation applies to whether a recreational vehicle has been moved from one position to another or not.

9. How do I register a bike?

All bicycles must be registered at the Lodi Police Department. The fee for a bicycle license is $3. Each bicycle license is effective until the bicycle is no longer operable or until the bicycle is sold. License tags are not transferable from one bicycle to another.

10. I need to get my fingerprints taken for a job application or adoption proceeding. Does the Police Department offer fingerprint service?

The Lodi Police Department does offer fingerprint service for $20 during normal business hours. Please call ahead to ensure staffing is available to accommodate.

11. Can I dispose of expired medication at the Police Station?

Yes. The Lodi Police Department offers a secure drop box in the entryway of the building for discrete disposal. The police department does not accept used needles or large amounts of liquid medications.

12. Can I use Fireworks in Lodi?

No. Fireworks are not permitted within the City of Lodi. If you witness the use of fireworks in the city limits, you may report the incident to the Dispatch Center or Lodi Police.

13. What should I do when I find a stray animal?

Residents are cautioned against ever approaching an animal they do not know. If you are familiar with the owner of a domesticated dog or cat you may contact them for recovery. The Lodi Police have partnered with the Lodi Vet Clinic to temporarily care for a stray animals when the owner in not known. Residents must get authorization from the Lodi Police to submit a dog or cat to the Lodi Vet.

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1. When does the pool open and close for the season?

The pool typically opens the second weekend in June and closes the last full weekend in August.

2. Are children allowed at the pool without a parent or guardian?

Children ages 10 and older are allowed to visit the pool without a parent or guardian.

3. Is there an admittance fee?

No. Access to the pool is free for residents and non-residents. However, please sign in upon entrance to the pool and provide the requested information.

4. Can I bring a large group to the pool?

Yes. However, if the group is larger than 25 swimmers, please call in advance (1- 2 days) during City Hall's business hours with the future date and time so enough lifeguards will be on duty to accommodate the group.

5. Are sprayed sunscreens allowed?

Sprayed sunscreens will not be allowed in the pool facility or on the approaching sidewalks. They may be sprayed out on the grass prior to entering the pool.

6. Are pool toys or flotation devices allowed?

Flotation devices such as a life jacket, aqua jogger belt, or water wings with a chest float (a.k.a. puddle jumpers) are acceptable to wear in the pool. Flotation toys and fidget spinners are prohibited; however, small water-related toys and buckets are allowed.

7. Does my child need a parent or guardian with them in the water?

Children under five must have an adult in the water with them at all times.

8. Am I allowed to take food or beverages into the pool area?

No food is permitted in the pool area. Water is the only beverage allowed (no glass bottles). 

9. Can I bring a lounge chair?

Lounge chairs are permissible so long as they are not oversize, and the lifeguards are not inhibited from moving around the pool deck. Personal lounge chairs may not be left at the pool overnight.

10. Are additional towels or blankets allowed on the pool deck?

Yes, additional towels or blankets are allowed on the pool deck to use to sit or relax so long as they do not inhibit the lifeguards' movement.

11. Are umbrellas allowed for shade?

Yes. Reasonably sized umbrellas are allowed on the pool deck.

12. Can the balls for the basketball hoops be removed from the pool area?

No. Please keep all balls used for the basketball hoops in the water.

13. Is a drinking fountain available?

Yes. There is a drinking fountain available near the restrooms inside and outside the pool fence.

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1. Why does the city and/or utility trim trees?

Tree limbs and power lines are not a good combination – especially in severe weather. Trees are a common cause of service interruption and outages. A damaging storm can disrupt power for extended periods.  In addition, tree limbs and branches that extend into power lines pose a significant risk to public safety even with mild weather.

2. How often are trees trimmed?

City crews will trim trees on an annual basis, typically one neighborhood at a time. Trees are also trimmed in an emergency situation. Notification of crews working in a neighborhood will take place by written notice. City-owned trees are trees planted in the public right of way, along street alleys or highway, and on City property. These trees are trimmed and, if necessary, removed without notice to property owners.

3. What technique is used to trim trees?

Trained crews use methods to protect the health of the tree while providing the established minimum safety clearance. The tree is trained to grow away from the lines, minimizing the need for future trimming.

If limbs continue to interfere with lines, the City may suggest removing the tree, with permission from the property owner, at no charge. If a tree is dead or dying, the City may cut it back to the point of safety and suggest that it is further removed by the property owner, at the owner’s expense.

4. Can city crews go on my private property?

Local ordinances provide for the authorization to trim trees as necessary for public safety and reliability of electrical service. City crews will make efforts to contact a property owner, in person and by written notice, prior to going on private property and conducting tree trimming, unless it is an emergency situation requiring attention.

5. How far are trees cut back?

The amount of trimming depends on the type of tree and how close it is to electrical lines. For example, a fast-growing tree like a silver maple may be cut back more often than a slow-growing tree. Around high-voltage lines, clearance is approximately 10-12 feet for a fast-growing tree and 5-7 feet for a slow-growing tree. Where public space is interfered with, such as sidewalks, streets, intersection visibility, and street illumination, trimming may range from 10-14 feet of clearance.

6. Will a tree on my property be removed without my permission?

The City will not remove a tree on private property without permission from the property owner. If a growing tree continues to grow into lines, the property owner may be notified to obtain permission to remove the tree instead of continual trimming. The City will not charge the property owner to remove a tree for this reason; however, the City will not remove stumps.

A dead or dying tree posing a hazard to lines will be cut back to the point of safety, and the property owner may be notified to remove the tree at the owner’s expense.

7. What if my trees are growing into power lines?

If you observe tree branches in contact with overhead lines, please notify Lodi Utilities immediately.  Do not attempt to remove tree branches or limbs on your own. 

The City provides the service to check and remove branches. The City trims only those branches or limbs in contact with lines.

The City will work with a property owner and/or contractor to move or shut off service to the home so trees can be further trimmed or removed safely by property owners.

8. Can I have the wood chips?

Wood chips are available to customers where a crew is working in the neighborhood. Additionally, wood chips are generally available at the City compost site.

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1. When was Wisconsin Legislation passed to allow this fee?

The 1967 Legislature allowed municipalities to impose a vehicle registration fee on automobiles and station wagons. Since 1983, municipalities have been able to impose a flat fee on automobiles and trucks of not more than 8,000 pounds (with some exceptions).

2. Who collects the fee?

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) collects the fee on behalf of the City, less a 17 cent administrative fee per registration.

3. How is the fee collected?

The WisDOT collects the fee when a vehicle's annual state registration fee is paid. The fee will be paid by the registration applicant at the time that a motor vehicle is first registered and at each registration renewal. This fee is in addition to state registration fees. WisDOT sends vehicle registration renewal notices at least 30 days before plates expire. The renewal notice will show the total fee due including the $20.00 municipal vehicle registration fee for each vehicle that is subject to the fee.

4. What is the purpose of the fee?

The purpose of the vehicle registration fee is to provide the City of Lodi with a source of revenue to fund transportation purposes.

5. When and how was this fee enacted?

On January 19, 2016, the City of Lodi Common Council passed Ordinance A-499 to amend Chapter 57 of the Code of the city. This amendment added a new section providing a motor vehicle registration fee.

6. Are there any administrative costs?

At this time, the WisDOT charges a fee of 10 cents per vehicle application. The fee imposed is the same for all municipalities regardless of the fee imposed by the municipality or the number of vehicle registration fees collected.

7. What is the cost of the fee?

A flat fee of $20.00 is imposed on all automobiles and trucks with a gross weight not more than 8,000 pounds (with some exceptions).

8. Which vehicles are subject to the fee?

An automobile or a motor truck registered under 8,000 pounds gross weight and customarily kept in the City of Lodi. This includes:

- Automobiles, vans, and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) that qualify as a passenger vehicle.
- Motor trucks and dual-purpose motor homes (trucks that can be equipped with a slide-in
camper unit) registered at a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or less.

9. Are any vehicles exempt?

Some vehicles are exempt from the vehicle registration fee. This includes:

- Buses, motorcycles, mopeds, motor homes, low-speed vehicles and trailers.
- Trucks registered at more than 8,000 pounds or registered as Farm or Dual Purpose Farm.
- Vehicles registered as Antique, Collector, Driver Education, Historic Military Vehicle, Hobbyist, Human Service Vehicle, Low Speed Vehicle, Medal of Honor, Municipal, State-Owned or Special X, and one vehicle with Ex-Prisoner Of War registration issued to any qualified individual.
- Any vehicle with registration issued by a Wisconsin Indian tribe or band.
- Vehicles displaying Dealer, Distributor, Finance Company or Manufacturer plates.
- A motor vehicle which is a replacement for a motor vehicle for which a current city vehicle registration fee has been paid. (The replacement vehicle will be subject to the fee upon the annual registration.)

10. When will this fee be added to my vehicle registration fee?

The collection of fees by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will begin for vehicles with the registration or renewal date of May 1, 2016.

11. My vehicle is not located in the City of Lodi. Why did I receive this fee?

Verify the correct county and city, village or township where your vehicle is customarily kept when you applied for the registration on your vehicle and on your license plate renewal notice. If you recently changed your address, the WisDOT record for the vehicle location will update automatically in most cases. Contact the WisDOT for address corrections. Any person who gives false or fictitious location where a vehicle is customarily kept may be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than six months or both. (WI State Statute 341.60)

12. How will the City of Lodi use the money collected by this fee?

The flat fee of $20.00 is imposed on all motor vehicles registered in the state of Wisconsin that are customarily kept in the City of Lodi. All monies remitted to the City by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be deposited into the City’s Capital fund and used solely for assisting with transportation related purposes.

13. What is the policy for refunds and proration?

The fee is never prorated. The full fee is required whenever it is collected. Refund requests of the fee paid in error may be directed to the WisDOT Research and Information Unit:

Email: VehicleQuestions@dot.wi.gov
Telephone: (608) 266-1466
Mail: PO Box 8070, Madison, WI 53708-8070

14. Where can I find additional information on this fee?

Please visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's webpage.