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Public Conduct in Dane County, WI (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Dane County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Dane County Code § 34.07(5) bans smoking and tobacco use within 15 feet of any entrance, operable window, or ventilation intake of a building where indoor smoking is prohibited, at any posted county park or beach, and anywhere on the grounds of the Badger Prairie Health Care Center. Violators face up to a $100 forfeiture.

Dane County Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Dane County Code of Ordinances § 34.07(5)

(5) 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) Within a distance of 15 feet outside entrances, operable windows and ventilation systems of enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited, so as to insure that tobacco smoke does not enter those areas. 1. Every building where smoking is prohibited sh...

Public Marijuana Use

Dane County bars possessing, using, or delivering any controlled substance, including marijuana, which Wisconsin has not legalized for recreational use, anywhere in a county park unless the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act itself authorizes it. The county singled this violation out for a heavier penalty than its other park rules: a $50 to $500 forfeiture per offense, instead of the usual $10 to $100.

Dane County Park Marijuana & Drug Ban

Significant Restrictions

Dane County Code of Ordinances, ch. 53.03(6); ch. 53.14(1)

(6) Possessing, using or delivering any controlled substance or drug paraphernalia unless such possession, use or delivery is authorized by the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Chapter 161, Wis. Stats. Words used in this subsection shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Ch. 161, Wis. Stats. ... 53.14 PENALTIES. (1) Any person who shall violate any o...

Public Alcohol Use

Dane County does not ban drinking in its parks outright, but any group of ten or more people of legal drinking age who bring or serve alcoholic beverages must first get a written alcoholic beverage permit from the Parks Division. The permit holder must carry it and produce it for any ranger or officer on request.

Dane County Park Alcohol Group Permit Rule

Some Restrictions

Dane County Code of Ordinances ch. 53, §§ 53.02(1)(f), 53.08(4)

53.02 PERMITS. (1) Written permits shall be required for any of the following and must be purchased prior to use: ... (f) The possession or drinking of any alcoholic beverages by any group of ten (10) or more persons of legal drinking age; ... 53.08 SHELTER RESERVATIONS. (4) Whenever alcoholic beverages are served in any group of 10 or more persons of legal drinking age, the person in charge of...

Public Conduct by City in Dane County

4 cities in Dane County have their own public conduct rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Dane County ordinances

See every category we cover for Dane County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Dane County Ordinance Hub →