Dane County, WI Environmental Rules: Vehicle Idling Restrictions (2026)

26(1)-(2) states the ordinance was adopted "to protect the public health of the citizens of Dane County and the environment by reducing emissions from diesel powered motor vehicles" under authority of Wis. 03(2)(a), and applies in the unincorporated areas of Dane County to diesel-powered commercial motor vehicles as defined in Wis. 01(8). " Subsection (4) lists detailed exceptions covering emergency vehicles, traffic conditions beyond the driver's control, airport support equipment, vehicles being serviced, auxiliary-equipment operation, temperature extremes (idling up to 15 consecutive minutes allowed above 80°F or below 40°F, and the limit suspended entirely below -10°F), passenger buses idling up to 15 minutes per hour for passenger comfort, defrosting/safety equipment use, mechanical-difficulty idling documented within 30 days, and truck driving schools.

Subsection (5) sets the penalty. This is a health/emissions rule, not a general anti-idling ban on all vehicles, it is limited to diesel commercial trucks and only reaches the unincorporated towns, not Madison or the other incorporated cities/villages that regulate their own streets.