Ordinance on Coal Tar Sealants

Coal tar sealants contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are toxic to fish and other aquatic life. The Lakes and Watershed Commission's ordinance regulating coal tar sealant use and sale in Dane County was adopted by the County Board and is effective on July 1, 2007. The adopted ordinance is available here and a fact sheet prepared regarding the Commission's development of the coal tar sealants ordinance is available here.

The ordinance bans use, sale or retail display of sealcoat products anywhere within Dane County that are labeled as containing coal tar. It also requires retailers to prominently display information about the ordinance where customers make their driveway sealant purchases. Click here to download a copy of a sign developed by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission for retailers to post. There is an ordinance exemption for those who intend to apply sealcoat products on a surface that is not located within Dane County. Sellers must require purchasers seeking the exemption to complete this form.