Parking Rules in West Allis, WI

If you live in West Allis or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. West Allis has 9 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Driveway Rules

West Allis requires driveways serving 1- and 2-unit homes to be paved in an approved material and generally kept out of the front yard except for the direct path to a garage.

Key details: Required surface: concrete, asphalt, or paver blocks. Front-yard rule: driveway generally excluded. Exception: path to garage or side yard. Garages per lot: one maximum.

Violating Chapter 19's vehicle parking and driveway standards carries a forfeiture of $25 to $500 per offense plus prosecution costs, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense under § 19.12.

Street Parking Limits

West Allis enforces Wisconsin's stopping-and-parking statutes as city ordinance violations, no blocking driveways, hydrants or crosswalks, and no parking against the flow of traffic, with local forfeitures set by the City.

Key details: Adopted statutes: Wis. Stat. §§ 346.51–346.55. Driveway-blocking fine: $30–$40 forfeiture. Hydrant fine: $40 forfeiture. Enforcing agency: West Allis Police Department.

Blocking a driveway or alley entrance draws a $30–$40 forfeiture; parking near a fire hydrant is $40; parking on the wrong side or in an improper manner runs $20–$40, per the § 10.16 fee schedule.

EV Charging

West Allis allows electric vehicle charging as a limited accessory use in every zoning district, but residential chargers may only serve the lot's own occupants and guests free of charge.

Key details: Residential rule: Owner/guest use only, no fee. Commercial/industrial rule: Must meet ICC A117.1-2009. Use classification: Limited accessory use, all districts. Permit: No conditional use permit required.

Charging equipment that accepts payment on a residential lot, or that serves the public rather than the lot's own occupants and guests, is not a permitted accessory use and can be ordered removed.

West Allis is more permissive than most cities when it comes to ev charging. That said, there are still limits.

Abandoned Vehicles

West Allis declares any vehicle left over 48 hours without permission, or any inoperable, unlicensed or junked vehicle stored outside on private property, a public nuisance subject to condemnation and towing.

Key details: Time trigger: 48 hours without permission. Nuisance declaration: Automatic public nuisance. Highway placard notice: 72 hours before towing. Hearing right: 7 days, Municipal Court. Penalty: $25-$500 forfeiture, Wis. Stat. § 342.40(3).

Owners who miss the 7-day hearing window and don't correct or remove the vehicle face towing and impoundment costs plus a forfeiture of $25 to $500 under Wis. Stat. § 342.40(3).

This is one of the stricter rules in West Allis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

RV & Boat Parking

West Allis prohibits parking or storing boats, campers, RVs, trailers, and mobile homes on unpaved surfaces or lawns anywhere on private property, with a narrow exception during the State Fair.

Key details: Rule: No RVs/boats on lawns citywide. Allowed surface: Paved driveways only. Fair exception: State Fair Parking District, Fair week only. Penalty: $25–$500 per day (§13.26).

Parking a boat, RV, camper, or trailer on grass or bare dirt violates the code regardless of yard location; Code Enforcement can order removal and cite the owner, with forfeitures of $25 to $500 per day under Section 13.26.

Overnight Parking

West Allis bars parking on any street or municipal lot between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. under WAMC § 10.105 unless the vehicle holds a police-chief-issued night parking permit, and a separate even/odd alternating-side rule also applies overnight.

Key details: Ban hours: 3:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m.. Permit issuer: Police chief. Permit excludes: Vehicles over 8,000 lbs, trailers. Also applies: Even/odd alternating-side parking.

Parking on a West Allis street or municipal lot between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. without an emergency-vehicle exemption or police-chief-issued permit violates WAMC § 10.105, as does parking on the wrong side of the street under the alternating even/odd rule.

Loading Zones

Loading and special parking zones on West Allis streets require a permit from the Director of Public Works under WAMC § 10.065, with special parking zones limited to 30 minutes and unauthorized zone signs subject to removal.

Key details: Permit issuer: Director of Public Works. Special zone limit: 30 minutes or less. Permit term: 1 year, expires May 1. Appeal: Board of Public Works.

Parking or standing in a loading or special parking zone outside its permitted use, or posting loading-zone signage without a Director of Public Works permit under WAMC § 10.065, exposes the violator to citation and removal of unauthorized signs.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

West Allis limits outdoor vehicle parking on 1- and 2-unit dwelling lots to vehicles with no more than 2 axles or 4 wheels, trailers under 12 feet, and requires a paved surface.

Key details: Axle limit: Max 2 axles. Wheel limit: Max 4 wheels. Trailer limit: Max 12 feet long. Surface: Must be paved (State Fair exempt).

Parking a 3-axle truck, a vehicle with more than 4 wheels, or a trailer longer than 12 feet outside a building on a 1- or 2-unit dwelling lot violates § 19.37 and can draw a citation.

Snow Removal Parking Rules

West Allis can declare a citywide snow emergency banning parking on posted emergency thoroughfares and imposing even/odd alternate-side parking on other streets, enforced by towing and local forfeitures.

Key details: Enforcing agency: Public Works Director / Police. Base fine: $40 forfeiture per citation. Repeat fine: $100, 2nd successive-day citation. Alternate-side window: 12:00 a.m.–2:59 p.m. daily.

Parking on a posted emergency thoroughfare or the wrong side during alternate-side hours draws a $40 forfeiture under the § 10.16 fee schedule; a second citation on a successive day rises to $100, and the vehicle may be towed.

The Bottom Line

West Allis's parking rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming West Allis is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that West Allis can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.