Public Conduct in Madison, WI (2026)
4 verified public conduct rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Loitering Rules
Madison's loitering ordinance, MGO § 26.08, is narrow: it only bans loitering in public in a manner manifesting intent to solicit prostitution, not general loitering. Violators face a $200-$5,000 forfeiture, and an arrest requires giving the person a chance to explain first.
Madison Loitering Ordinance Targets Prostitution
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 26.08(1)-(2)
No person shall loiter in or near any thoroughfare or place open to the public in a manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose of inducing, enticing, soliciting or procuring another to commit an act of prostitution. Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether such purpose is manifested are the following: that the person frequents, either on foot or in a mo...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Madison bans smoking and tobacco use within 25 feet of any entrance, air intake, or operable window of a City-owned building, in posted City parks and beaches, within 5 feet of City parking garage entrances, and on Henry Vilas Zoo property, under Madison General Ordinances § 23.05(4). Public Health Madison and Dane County, the joint city-county health department, enforces the ban with the Police Department.
Madison Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 23.05(4)
(4)Prohibition of Smoking in Outdoor Areas. It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or use tobacco products in the following outdoor areas.(a)Outside the City-County Building:1.Between the public sidewalk and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard side of the building including but not limited to the entrance steps, the planters, and all cement areas adjacent to the building;2.Between the p...
Public Marijuana Use
Madison lets adults 18 and older consume cannabis or cannabis derivatives only on private property with the occupant's permission, or on public property with the owner's, landlord's or tenant's consent: never in a moving vehicle. Unauthorized public consumption draws a citation and forfeiture under MGO § 23.20.
Madison Cannabis Consumption Location Rules
Some RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 23.20(3)
(3)Consumption. A person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older may consume cannabis or cannabis derivatives on private property with the permission of a person who is lawfully on the property or on public property with permission of the owner, landlord or tenant. No person may consume cannabis or cannabis derivatives in a motor vehicle which is in operation. No person may consume cannabis ...
Public Alcohol Use
Madison bans possessing an open container of alcohol or drinking on any public street, sidewalk or alley citywide. The only carve-outs are a Street Use Permit picnic license or a licensed sidewalk cafe: there is no general public-drinking allowance.
Madison Open Container Ban on Streets
Significant RestrictionsMadison General Ordinances § 38.07(8)
(8) Possess Open Container on Street. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess an open container which contains alcohol beverages or consume any alcohol beverages upon any public street (including sidewalks and alleys) within the City of Madison except when such street or portion thereof is included within an area for which a Street Use Permit has been granted pursuant to Sec. 10.056 of t...
Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Public Conduct in Dane County →