Milwaukee, WI Building Safety: Lead Paint (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Confirmed lead-based nuisance
- Notice to
- Occupant and owner
- Posting
- Conspicuous notice on dwelling
- Tenant protection
- No eviction for reporting
- Reinspection fee
- $150 first, $300 after
Summary
Once Milwaukee's health department confirms a lead-based nuisance in a dwelling, it must notify the occupant and owner and post a visible hazard notice on the property under the city's lead poisoning prevention program.
If the department determines that a
lead based nuisance exists in or upon a dwelling,
dwelling unit, supplemental location or premises,
the department may:
c-1. Notify the occupant or the
occupant's representative and the owner, that
lead based nuisances are present and that they
constitute a health hazard.
c-2. Issue written orders for lead hazard
reduction activities to address those lead-based
nuisances found to exceed allowable lead levels
as provided in s. 66-21-18. The order shall state
that the order may be appealed, the deadline by
which the appeal must be filed and the entity to
which the appeal must be made. An owner who
is served an order may, prior to the time
specified for compliance, submit a written appeal
to the commissioner. The appeal shall state with
specificity the reason that the appellant believes
the order was issued in error. The commissioner
may affirm, reverse or modify the order and shall
mail or deliver to the appellant his or her written
determination stating the reasons therefore.
Such determination shall be a final
determination.
c-3. Post in a conspicuous place upon
the dwelling, dwelling unit, supplemental location
or premises a notice of the presence of a lead
hazard.
d. An additional fee in the amount
specified in s. 60-53 may be charged for any
lead hazard reinspection necessary to determine
compliance with an order issued under par. c-2
Full Breakdown
Milwaukee runs its own lead-hazard notification program rather than a blanket pre-lease disclosure mandate. Under City Code § 66-20 through § 66-22, the health department inspects a dwelling when a child there tests with an elevated blood lead level, a citizen reports a hazard, or staff identify one, focusing on pre-1978 'target housing.' If an inspection confirms a lead-based nuisance, the department must notify the occupant (or their representative) and the owner that a hazard exists and constitutes a health hazard, issue a written reduction order, and post a notice of the hazard in a conspicuous place on the dwelling itself. Owners who are served an order can appeal to the commissioner before the compliance deadline. Tenants who report a hazard, cooperate with an investigation, or arrange abatement are protected from eviction or retaliation. A reinspection fee of $150 for the first check and $300 for each subsequent one applies until compliance is confirmed.
Violations & Fines
Retaliating against or evicting a tenant for reporting a lead hazard is a Class J penalty under § 61-16, with each act a separate offense; ignoring a reduction order can bring a citation under § 66-29 or a rent-withholding referral under § 200-22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Milwaukee require lead-paint disclosure before signing a lease?
Can a Milwaukee landlord evict a tenant who reports a lead hazard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
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