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Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Milwaukee County, WI (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Verified from official government sources

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

Obstruction Rules

Milwaukee County requires a director-of-public-works permit before anyone places material, equipment, sheds, fences, or other structures in a public way or sidewalk, per General Ordinances § 67.05.

Milwaukee County Sidewalk Obstruction Rules

Some Restrictions

Milwaukee County Code of General Ordinances § 67.05(2)

No property owner, public/private facility owner or their contractor shall erect, place, or store any material, equipment, shed, roof, fence, or temporary walk, guard, device, or any other structure within the public ways without first obtaining a permit from the director of public works.

Encroachment Permits

Milwaukee County requires a special privilege from the county board plus a director-of-public-works permit before any building, structure, sign, flagpole, or retaining wall may permanently project into a public way, per § 67.07.

Milwaukee County Right-of-Way Encroachment Permits

Significant Restrictions

Milwaukee County Code of General Ordinances § 67.07(1)

Except as otherwise regulated in this chapter, no part of any building, structure, addition, alteration, or construction hereafter erected shall project into the public ways without first obtaining a special privilege granted by the county board and a permit therefor from the director of public works.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules by City in Milwaukee County

3 cities in Milwaukee County have their own sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

All Milwaukee County ordinances

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

Milwaukee County Ordinance Hub →