De Pere's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In De Pere, Wisconsin, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

De Pere property owners must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk fronting their land within 48 hours of it falling or accumulating, under City Code Sec. 22-18(a). If the ice is frozen too hard to remove, owners must sand or otherwise cover it and clean the walk as soon as weather allows, or face city-ordered removal billed back to the property.

Key details: Removal deadline: 48 hours after snow or ice falls. Unpaved footway width required: At least 4 feet. Roof snow/ice deadline: 48 hours or install guards. Weather extension authority: Director of public works. Nonpayment of city removal bill: Becomes a special tax on property.

Chapter 22 does not set its own dollar forfeiture for a snow-removal violation, so it falls under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-11: a forfeiture of $1.00 to $2,000.00 for a first offense, $10.00 to $2,000.00 for a repeat offense, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation. Independent of any forfeiture, the city can summarily clear the snow itself and charge the removal cost, plus any unpaid balance, as a special tax lien on the property.

Property Blight

Under City Code section 94-16, De Pere's building inspector can condemn any building, dwelling or dwelling unit so old, damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary or unsafe that it endangers the owner, occupants or public, ordering the property repaired or vacated within a reasonable time set by the inspector.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 94-16. Who orders condemnation: City building inspector. Grounds: Dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested condition. Owner's obligation: Repair or vacate within a reasonable time. Procedure statute: Wis. Stat. § 66.0413.

Ignoring a section 94-16 condemnation order exposes an owner to the citywide forfeiture in section 1-11: $1.00 to $2,000.00 for a first offense and $10.00 to $2,000.00 for a repeat offense, with each day the building remains unrepaired or unvacated counted as its own violation. The city may also pursue the state condemnation and razing procedure under Wisconsin Statutes section 66.0413.

Compared to other cities, De Pere takes a harder line on property blight. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

De Pere's property maintenance 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 De Pere is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that De Pere 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.