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1. How do I report a lost or stray animal?

Contact the Washington County Humane Society at (262) 677-4388.

2. How do I report abuse to an animal?

Contact the Washington County Humane Society at (262) 677-4388.

3. What can I do about a barking dog or other nuisance animal?

Contact the Sheriff’s Department non-emergency number (262) 335-4378.

4. How many dogs / cats are allowed per household?

The number of dogs over the age of five months shall be limited to three per property / residence. The number of cats over the age of five months shall be limited to three per property / residence. The total number of dogs and cats over the age of five months shall not exceed six per residence. In the event animals exceed this limit, a fanciers permit must be acquired.

5. How do I request removal of a dead animal?

If the animal is on the roadside or on village property contact the Highway Department at (262) 628-2260 for disposal.

6. Does the Village have hunting regulations?

Yes, the Village Code, Chapter 275 Peace and Good Order, Article II Firearms regulates hunting in the Village of Richfield. Hunting on public land is not permitted. It is also unlawful to discharge a rimfire or center-fire rifle .22 caliber or larger within the boundaries of the Village.https://www.ecode360.com/16178869

Chapter 275 Peace and Good Order

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1. How can I request a review of property assessment?

To request a review of your most recent property assessment Associated Appraisals asks that you complete this Review Request Form and mail it to Assessor's Office, 1314 W. College Avenue, P.O. Box 2111, Appleton, WI 54912-4157 or email it to info@apraz.com. Review Request Form

2. When the Assessor visits and wants to inspect my home, do I have to allow him inside?

You have the right to refuse the Assessor access to your home.

3. How can I contact the Village Assessor?

Our Village Assessor is the contracted firm, Associated Appraisal Consultants. You can reach them via telephone at: 1-800-721-4157 Associated Appraisal

4. When was the last community revaluation? When is the next revaluation expected?

Associated Appraisal focused on residential single family homes in 2017. 2018 will continue emphasis on residential single family homes. The 2017 Year in Review also provides valuable information as to the way properties were assessed., found under Departments, Assessor. The Village no longer contracts for Village-wide reassessments. The current assessor will reassess a portion of the community every year.

5. Some of my neighbors have told me the only reason for the reassessment is to raise taxes. Is this true?

No. The reassessment has no impact on the total amount of taxes collected. However, it may change your property’s percentage share of total taxes collected.

6. Why do you need to inspect the interior of my home?

There is no question that a reassessment inspection is an inconvenience. For that, we apologize. However, building size, age, features, quality, and condition, along with many other factors affect the market value of your property. The only way to ensure a fair market value is to collect current exterior and interior data for each property. We are not concerned with your housekeeping nor personal belongings. This information will not be recorded and will be kept confidential.

7. What if I refuse to allow the assessor into my home?

The Wisconsin Legislature recognizes the conflict between the right of privacy and the need for accurate information when establishing assessments. If an owner refuses entry into the property, the assessor sends a certified letter requesting a reasonable time for viewing the home. If no response is received, or entry is refused, the assessor is required by law to estimate the value of the home based on the best available information. The property owner maintains his right of privacy.

8. How does the assessor value property?

Wisconsin law requires that property assessments be based on fair market value. Estimating the market value of your property is a matter of determining the price a typical buyer would pay for it in its present condition. Some factors the assessor considers are: what similar properties are selling for; what it would cost to replace your property; the rent it may earn; and any other factors that affect value. It is important to remember that the assessor does not create assessed value, but rather interprets what is happening in the market place through real estate sales.

9. What can I do to ensure a fair and reasonable assessed value for my property?

Even with the best of care and intentions, mistakes are possible. Inform the assessor of any problems that might affect market value. There will be an opportunity to discuss your assessment with the assessor at the Open Book. Should you feel your assessment is in error, bring to the Open Book any documentation that supports your opinion of value. Property owners will be notified of their new assessment when the project is completed. If the discussion with the assessor does not resolve your concerns, a Board of Review session will be held where you can again present sales or other market value evidence that shows the assessment to be in error.

10. Do all assessments change at the same rate?

No, not necessarily. There are differences between individual properties and between neighborhoods. In one area, property sales may indicate a substantial decrease in value in a given year. Yet in another neighborhood for example, there may be no change in value, or even an increase in property values. Different types of properties within the same neighborhood may also show different value changes. For example, one-story houses may be more in demand than two-story houses, or vice versa. Older homes in the same area may be declining in value more slowly than newer homes. There are numerous factors to be considered in each property, which will cause the values to differ. Some of the factors which can affect value are: location, condition, size, quality, number of baths, number of bedrooms, finished basement, garages, overall condition as well as many others.

11. What is the bottom line?

Revaluations are periodically required by state law and are designed to keep assessments current with prevailing market conditions. The real issue is whether your property is assessed at market value. After the revaluation, you should look at your final assessment. If it appears to be an accurate value when compared to sales of similar property, then it probably is a fair assessment. If, in your opinion, it does not reflect the market value of your property when compared to sales of similar properties, you should talk to our assessment staff. We may be able to provide information or take further actions to resolve your concerns.

12. Can the Assessor enter my property without my permission?

The Assessor has the right to enter onto your property, however the rights are restrictive. See the Assessor page for more information.

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1. When do Boards and Commissions meet?

All Boards and Commissions meet at the Village Hall 4128 Hubertus Road, Hubertus.

• Administrative Review Board - As needed
• Architectural Review Board - Third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm
• Board of Review - As needed
• Board of Trustees - Third Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm
• Board of Zoning Appeals - As needed
• Park Commission – Second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 or 6:30 pm
• Plan Commission - First Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm

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1. Who picks up my garbage and recycling?

Richfield residents must individually contract for garbage removal services. Click here to be redirected to a comprehensive list of licensed waste haulers in the Village of Richfield. 

2. How do I dispose of my Christmas trees?

The Village allows disposal of Christmas trees in the month of January each year. Check the Village website, newsletter, or contact Village Hall for dates and times.

3. How do I properly dispose of toxic or dangerous materials such as paints, automotive fluids, or tires?

Please visit the Washington County Clean Sweep page or contact Waste Management for proper disposal of Household Hazardous Waste at (262) 251-9560.

The Village of Richfield Recycling Center and Transfer Station accepts tires for a fee. Please see the Recycling Schedule (PDF) for more details. 

4. My garbage / recycling wasn't picked up. What should I do?

Contact your private hauler.

5. Is mulch available?

Mulch and compost are available on a first come, first serve basis and is located next to the salt shed at the Municipal Garage access at 1341 Hillside Road.

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1. Why does the plow truck drive past with its plow up?

There can be several reasons that the plow truck does not have its plow down.

- The operator is traveling to the section they are responsible for maintaining.
- The operator could be traveling to or from the shop for repairs.
- The operator needs more sand/salt.
- Light snowfall may only require salting therefore the plow will not be used.

If they are traveling on CTH Q, STH 164, STH 167, STH 175, CTH CC, or certain miles of Pioneer Road those roads are maintained by Washington County and/or the Town of Polk. A full list of roads maintained by the Village can be obtained via the Richfield website.
Richfield Road Jurisdiction

2. Why is the plow operator using sand and not salt?

At temperatures below 5 degree, salt has little to no effect. Sand is used as a traction aide. An amount of salt is added to this sand to prevent the material from binding to itself, as well as assist in deicing when temperatures rise.

3. Why is my road the last to be plowed?

Each winter storm is unique to itself. Intensity, timing, duration and moisture content can result in longer spans of service. We try our very best to address every road in the Village in a timely manner. Our main goals during an operation are to clear and maintain all main (Arterial) roadways, as these are the most traveled. Our second focus is secondary (Collector) roads. These would include side streets that directly lead into main roads. Finally, we focus on low volume (Local) residential areas. These areas include subdivision side streets, dead ends, and cul-de-sacs. By maintaining this philosophy, we ensure optimal services for the highest amount of residents/travelers.

4. Why has the plow operator left a large amount of snow in my driveway and in front of my mailbox, so I can’t get out of my driveway, or to my mailbox? When will they come back to clean this up?

Our objective during a winter snow operation is to clear the roadway for safe travel. Unfortunately, snow deposited in your driveway and in front of your mailbox is an inconvenient result. There is no other way to accomplish a snow plowing operation on a Village road. The greater amount of accumulation, the greater amount of snow will be deposited in these areas. Property owners are solely responsible for clearing snow to gain access to the roadway and directly in front of their mailbox.

5. My mailbox was damaged by the snowplow. What do I do?

The Village of Richfield does have a Mailbox Replacement Policy which states that when our equipment directly strikes a mailbox, we will reimburse the property owner up to $35.00 for replacement. There is protocol that must be followed in order to receive reimbursement. The Mailbox Replacement Policy can be found on the Village website, as well as at Village Hall. Regardless of determination of fault, it is the property owner’s responsibility to repair or replace the mailbox. Until that time as to when the mailbox is fixed, temporary mailboxes are available as a free service to residents and can be utilized pursuant to our policy. For A Mailbox Replacement Form Click Here

6. Why is it I never see a snowplow during a winter storm?

The Village of Richfield is responsible for removing snow from approximately 309 lane miles of road within its 36 square mile boundary. When a storm dictates a full operation, 8 trucks are dispatched to address the conditions. These operations occur at all hours of the day, but a lot of time, the Village’s snow operations occur while most residents are sleeping. On average, this takes about 4.5 hours to complete a full cycle. Sometimes this can take up to 7 hours depending on the severity of the storm. Storms can also warrant multiple cycles in order to maintain even the most minimal services. Time is also needed to reload, and refuel trucks during an operation.

7. I once saw a snow plow parked in a gas station, or in the shop parking lot during a bad snowstorm. Why was it there instead of on the streets working?

Village snow plow operators take pride in clearing the roads on their routes as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Driving a snowplow is demanding, tiring work. Common sense and good safety practices dictate when or if a driver needs a break. It is dangerous, both for the snowplow driver and the public if a fatigued driver is behind the wheel of a snowplow. Also, sometimes it is more efficient to stop in one of our local businesses to use a restroom rather than driving back to Village Hall to use the same.

8. Who is responsible for plowing state and county roads?

Washington County Highway Department plows and maintains all state and county roads that run through the Village of Richfield. They can be contacted by calling 262-335-4435, or visit their website. Washington County Highway Department

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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. Where is the Village Hall located?

4128 Hubertus Road, Hubertus, WI 53033.

2. How do I contact the village staff?

(262) 628-2260, or visit our website for email addresses of the village staff

3. Where do I vote?

Northbrook Church, 4014 HWY 167 (Holyhill Rd), Richfield, WI.

4. What are the hours of operation at the Village Hall office?

7:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.