Madison, WI Environmental Rules: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (2026)

1291, "Motor Vehicle Idling," bars anyone from causing or permitting a vehicle's engine to idle for more than five consecutive minutes while the vehicle is stopping, standing, or parking on a highway (the code's term for any public street). 1291(2)(b) specifically forecloses the defense that the owner wasn't the one operating the vehicle at the time. 1291(2)(c). 1291(3): idling as needed when the ambient temperature is below 20°F or above 90°F; idling to run defrosters, heaters, air conditioners or other equipment to prevent a health or safety emergency, including providing shelter; idling for testing, servicing, repair, or diagnostic work; idling to operate auxiliary equipment the vehicle was designed for, such as a refrigeration unit, lift, crane, pump, drill, hoist, or concrete mixer; and idling caused by traffic conditions outside the driver's control, including congestion, signals, an active railroad crossing, construction-zone traffic control, or a law enforcement officer's direction.

1291(4) is open to any police officer or parking enforcement officer, meaning idling citations aren't limited to sworn police, Parking Division staff who spot a vehicle idling past the five-minute mark on a city street can write the ticket themselves. 1291 to require that food-truck generators, not vehicle engines, power on-site equipment.