Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Wauwatosa, WI (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

Sidewalk Repair

In Wauwatosa, the owner of every lot or tract of land adjoining a public sidewalk must keep that sidewalk in good and safe condition. Neglect draws a five-dollar penalty for each three-day period the defect goes unfixed, plus the city's costs of prosecution, under Wauwatosa Municipal Code Section 12.20.090.

Wauwatosa Sidewalk Repair Responsibility

Some Restrictions

Wauwatosa Municipal Code §§ 12.20.090, 12.20.100

The owner of every lot or tract of land in the city of Wauwatosa, adjoining which there is a sidewalk, is required to keep such sidewalk in good and safe condition to prevent accident, and for each three days of neglect so to do shall forfeit and pay penalty of five dollars together with the costs of prosecution. ... Whenever any sidewalk in the city of Wauwatosa is, in the opinion of the board...

Obstruction Rules

Wauwatosa's disorderly conduct chapter makes it unlawful to obstruct or interfere with the free use of or travel on public sidewalks, streets or rights-of-way, and separately bars discarding litter or refuse on a public sidewalk unless another code provision allows it.

Wauwatosa Sidewalk Obstruction Ban

Some Restrictions

Wauwatosa Municipal Code § 7.48.010

Obstruct or interfere with the free use or travel on public sidewalks, streets or other public rights-of-way in the city; ... Discard litter or refuse upon a public sidewalk, street, boulevard or other public right-of-way in the city, unless otherwise permitted by regulations under this code;

Encroachment Permits

No one may encroach on Wauwatosa city land, a right-of-way or an easement, including the strip behind the curb where sidewalks sit, without common council authorization. Municipal Code Section 12.42.010 requires an application to the board of public works and, for structures needing a building permit, a nonrefundable fee before work begins.

Wauwatosa Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits

Some Restrictions

Wauwatosa Municipal Code §§ 12.42.010, 12.42.020, 12.42.050

No person, firm or corporation shall encroach upon any city land, right-of-way, and/or easement without authorization of the common council. ... Prior to encroaching upon any city land, right-of-way and/or easement, an application shall be made to the board of public works, together with a description of the proposed encroachment. A nonrefundable fee as set out in the fee schedule shall be paid...

Looking for Milwaukee County county-wide rules?

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

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Milwaukee County