Milwaukee County, WI Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 39.02, Ch. 39
- First-offense forfeiture
- $500 to $1,000
- Repeat-offense forfeiture
- $1,000 to $2,000
- Scope
- County storm system and county premises
- Exempt discharges
- WPDES-permitted and listed exempt flows
Summary
Milwaukee County bans illicit discharges into its storm sewer system and prohibits illicit connections to it, under Chapter 39 of the county code covering waste disposal on county-owned and leased premises.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(1)Dump, deposit or cause to be deposited, dropped, placed, discharged, left, spilled or scattered any hazardous waste, industrial waste, infectious waste, garbage, refuse or other waste material upon any premises owned or leased by the county.(2)Cause or allow an illicit discharge (except as provided in subsection (3))(3)Dye testing and non-stormwater discharges that are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and which written approval for the discharge has been granted, are not consider illicit discharges.(4)Construct, use, maintain, or allow to exist an illicit connection to the storm system regardless of whether that connection was permissible under law or practices at the time of connection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 112).
Full Breakdown
Section 39.02 of the Milwaukee County Code makes it unlawful to cause or allow an illicit discharge into the storm system, or to construct, use, or maintain an illicit connection to it, regardless of whether the connection was once legal. An illicit discharge is any release into a municipal separate storm sewer system that is not entirely stormwater, unless it is landscape irrigation, car washing, firefighting water, or another exempt flow, or is authorized under a WPDES permit. Violators face a forfeiture of $500 to $1,000 for a first offense and $1,000 to $2,000 for each later offense under Section 39.03, plus cleanup costs.
Violations & Fines
First offense: $500-$1,000 forfeiture. Each later violation: $1,000-$2,000, plus removal, clean-up and repair costs, and possible jail up to 30 days for nonpayment, under Section 39.03.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Milwaukee County have a general stormwater management ordinance?
What counts as an illicit discharge under county law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee County
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