How Green Bay Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Green Bay maintains 101 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with public conduct. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Green Bay falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Skateboarding Rules

Green Bay Municipal Code § 40-132 bans skateboarding on every City street, in two mapped downtown and near-north-side zones, and in all City-owned parking ramps and lots. Outside those zones, skateboarding is allowed on public sidewalks, but riders must yield to pedestrians and dismount when passing them. Riding on someone's private driveway or parking lot without the owner's permission is a separate violation, citable only on the owner's complaint.

Key details: Governing section: Green Bay Municipal Code § 40-132. Banned outright: Every City street, all City ramps/lots. Two banned zones: Downtown loop and near-north-side blocks. Sidewalks: Allowed elsewhere; pedestrians have right-of-way. Private property: Owner permission required to ride there.

§ 40-132 does not set its own fine, so violations default to the Chapter 40 general penalty at § 40-162: a forfeiture of $1.00 to $500.00. Riding a banned street or zone, failing to yield to a pedestrian on a sidewalk, and riding on someone's driveway without permission are each separately enforceable; the private-property violation can only be cited after the property owner or person in control files a complaint.

Public Urination

Green Bay flatly bars urinating, defecating or depositing human waste anywhere on public or private property that isn't a toilet or a fixture built to send waste into a septic or sanitary sewer system. Municipal Code § 26-14 allows no permit and no location exception; a violation forfeits $1.00 to $500.00 under the chapter's general penalty.

Key details: Prohibited conduct: Urinating, defecating, depositing waste. Where it applies: Any public or private property. Only exception: Toilet or sewer-connected device. General penalty: $1.00 to $500.00 forfeiture. Alternative penalty: Community service under § 26-2.

Because § 26-14 sets no penalty of its own, the general penalty in § 26-18 applies: a forfeiture of not less than $1.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense. A Municipal Court Judge may order community service in place of, or alongside, that forfeiture under § 26-2, consistent with Wis. Stats. § 800.09(1b)(b).

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

Loitering Rules

Green Bay's loitering law, Municipal Code § 26-5, hits three distinct situations: loafing where "No Loitering" is posted, blocking a street or sidewalk's ordinary use, and staying put after a police officer or property authority orders a group to move under circumstances that warrant alarm for safety. A first violation forfeits $1.00 to $500.00 under the chapter's general penalty.

Key details: Posted-sign prong: Any place marked "No Loitering". Obstruction prong: Blocks ordinary use of street/sidewalk. Dispersal prong: Applies only after refusing an order to move. General penalty: $1.00 to $500.00 forfeiture. Alternative penalty: Community service under § 26-2.

Section 26-5 carries no penalty of its own, so the chapter's general penalty in § 26-18 applies: a forfeiture of not less than $1.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense, unless the court substitutes or adds community service under § 26-2. Citations may be issued by the Chief of Police or officers delegated that authority under § 26-1.

Jaywalking

Green Bay Municipal Code § 40-130 defines six pedestrian violations that add up to jaywalking: crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk, crossing within a half block of a controlled intersection, stepping off a curb into oncoming traffic, and entering a crosswalk against the "walk" signal. A controlled intersection is any intersection with electric stop-and-go pedestrian or vehicle signals. Violators forfeit $1 to $500 under § 40-162.

Key details: Governing section: Green Bay Municipal Code § 40-130. Structure: Six listed violations, not a blanket ban. Controlled intersection: Any intersection with electric stop-go signals. Half-block rule: No mid-block crossing near a crosswalk. Penalty: $1-$500 forfeiture under § 40-162.

§ 40-130 sets out no fine of its own, so a citation falls under the chapter's general penalty at § 40-162: a forfeiture of not less than $1.00 nor more than $500.00 for a person violating any provision of Chapter 40. Any one of the six listed behaviors, crossing outside a crosswalk, ignoring a "walk" or green signal, or crossing within a half block of a controlled intersection, can support a citation by itself.

Public Alcohol Use

Green Bay bans consuming or possessing an open alcohol container on any public way, public parking lot, or public place under Municipal Code § 24-114, unless you're on a licensed bar or restaurant's premises, at an approved special event, or a permitted sidewalk cafe.

Key details: Open containers: Banned in public places/ways. Licensed premises: Exempt if bar/restaurant licensed. Special events: City-approved events exempt. Lambeau exemption: Parking lot/sidewalks during games. Penalty: $1–$500 forfeiture per violation.

Violations fall under Chapter 24's general penalty (§ 24-83): a forfeiture of $1.00 to $500.00 plus prosecution costs, with conduct on separate days charged separately.

Compared to other cities, Green Bay takes a harder line on public alcohol use. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Smoking is banned inside and within 10 feet of every City park shelter and facility, plus specific spots at Bay Beach Amusement Park and the entire Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.

Key details: Shelter buffer: 10 feet, no smoking. Bay Beach Amusement Park: rides, pavilion, depot banned. Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary: smoking banned sitewide. Enforcement: ejection under § 28-4(j).

Chapter 28 sets no smoking-specific fine; violators are subject to ejection from City parks under Section 28-4(j) and the general forfeiture schedule in Section 1-6.

The Bottom Line

Green Bay is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Green Bay, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Green Bay's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.