RHINELANDER - In early April, Governor Scott Walker signed a bill into law loosening regulations on homeowners in Wisconsin.

The law takes affect next week and many zoning officials are struggling with the changes.

Representative Tom Tiffany helped shape this legislation and met with some local zoning officials about the complexities.

"Are there any unintended consequences with this?," Tiffany says. "That's what we were working through in Madison yesterday with the Oneida County zoning officials and a couple other zoning officials. They just want to ensure they understand the intent of the bill and that they get it right."

This bill is supposed to give counties a consistent approach to zoning standards and cannot restrict by more than what the Wisconsin D-N-R's standards outline.

Tiffany says the bill helps people who have sub-standard lots, or lots that were legal at the time but aren't legal now.

It also lets people improve their home beyond 50 percent of its value.

"We believe people should be able to repair and maintain their homes up to whatever value they choose to," Tiffany says. "It doesn't allow expansions but it dose allow people to repair and maintain their homes."

The law will be published Monday.

Story By: Matt Doyle