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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Waukesha, WI (2026)

3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Waukesha, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Sidewalk Repair

Waukesha pays to replace a public sidewalk it decides needs replacing, but abutting property owners pay for the original installation and for any replacement they request themselves, all billed as a special charge under Municipal Code Sec. 6.115, adopted by Ord. 2023-7 in June 2023.

Who Pays for Waukesha Sidewalk Repairs

Some Restrictions

Waukesha Municipal Code § 6.115

(1) The cost of the initial laying of sidewalks shall be charged to the abutting property owners as a special charge as defined in Wis. Stat. §74.01(4). (2) If the City determines that any existing sidewalk within City right-of-way requires replacement, then the cost of replacing such sidewalk shall be paid by the City, and shall not be charged to abutting property owners. However, if after the...

Obstruction Rules

No one may build steps, platforms, fences, or other encroachments into a Waukesha street, alley, or sidewalk without Common Council consent, under Municipal Code Sec. 6.06. The Council can order removal on notice, and each 24 hours an obstruction remains after that is a separate offense.

Sidewalk Obstruction Rules in Waukesha

Significant Restrictions

Waukesha Municipal Code § 6.06

GENERAL. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no part of a building hereafter erected or of an enlargement of a building heretofore erected shall project beyond a street line or a building line. COUNCIL CONSENT REQUIRED. No person shall construct any steps, stairs, building, fence, bay-window, platform, trap-door, cellar-door, area, balcony cornice, or other encroachment or obstruction...

Encroachment Permits

Before contractors place building material or equipment such as scaffolding, cranes, or hoisting machines on a Waukesha street, alley, or sidewalk, they must get a permit from the Building Inspector under Municipal Code Section 6.14. The section fixes a $5,000 bond, sets monthly fees after the first six free days, and sets minimum clearances from hydrants and streetcar tracks.

Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits in Waukesha

Some Restrictions

Waukesha Municipal Code § 6.14

PERMITS REQUIRED. ... Before building material (such as stone, brick, cement blocks, concrete, sand, dirt, gravel, cement or lime, lumber, planks, boards, or any other building materials) or equipment of any type (such as scaffolding of all description, including ladders, swinging scaffolds suspending above streets, alleys or sidewalks, movable or stationary cranes, hoisting machines and elevat...

Looking for Waukesha County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukesha city rules.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Waukesha County