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Public Conduct in Rock County, WI (2026)

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

Verified from official government sources

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

Loitering Rules

Rock County bans loitering or prowling in a place, at a time, or in a manner not usual for law-abiding people when the circumstances would warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property nearby. Flight from a peace officer, refusing to identify yourself, or concealing yourself or an object are among the circumstances a deputy can weigh. Violators face a forfeiture up to $500 under Sec. 3.210 of the county code.

Loitering and Prowling Rules in Rock County, WI

Some Restrictions

Rock County, WI Code of Ordinances § 3.210

No person shall loiter or prowl in a place, at a time, or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances that warrant alarm for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity. Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether such alarm is warranted is the fact that the actor takes flight upon appearance of a peace officer, refuses to identify hims...

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Rock County bars smoking within 30 feet of any entrance to a county-owned or county-leased building or workplace, and bans it outright on the UW-Rock County and Rock Haven campus grounds, indoors and out. Violators face a $100 to $250 forfeiture plus prosecution costs under Code § 3.701.

Outdoor Smoking Ban Near Rock County Buildings

Some Restrictions

Rock County, WI Code of Ordinances § 3.701(4)

(4) Smoking Prohibited. (a) No person shall smoke in any County owned or County leased building, work place or vehicle at any time. (b) Smoking is prohibited within thirty (30) feet of any entrance of a County owned or County leased building, or workplace. (c) No person shall smoke within the buildings, within thirty (30) feet of any building, or within designated nonsmoking areas of the campus...

Public Alcohol Use

Carrying an open container of beer or liquor, or drinking from one, on a public street, road, highway, alley, or walk in unincorporated Rock County is illegal without a license or permit. County Ordinance Section 3.208 carves out one exception: the ban does not apply inside a public park. A violation is a forfeiture not to exceed $200.

Open Container Alcohol Ban in Rock County, WI

Significant Restrictions

Rock County, WI Code of Ordinances Sec. 3.208

No person shall carry about any open can, bottle or other container containing fermented malt beverage or intoxicating liquor or drink from the same on any public street, road, highway, alley, or walk or other public place without a license or permit to do the same. This section does not apply to a public park. Any person who violates this section shall be, upon conviction, subject to a forfeit...

Public Conduct by City in Rock County

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

All Rock County ordinances

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

Rock County Ordinance Hub →