Milwaukee permits home occupations in residential zones with a home occupation permit. No external signage, no on-site employees, customer visits limited. Cottage food operations require DATCP license.
Milwaukee zoning permits home occupations in residential zones. A home occupation permit is typically required. The business must be secondary to residential use. Common conditions: no external signage, no on-site employees, limited customer visits, no hazardous materials, no noise/odor beyond residential norms. WI Stat. §97.27 provides a home bakery/cottage food exemption through DATCP licensing. HOAs may impose additional restrictions.
Operating without permit: cease-and-desist order. Fines $100 to $500 per day. Business license penalties apply.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Chapter 80 nuisance authority and Chapter 275 property maintenance provis...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 80-63 noise standards could theoretically apply to overnight blow...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA/condo covenants and Histori...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Permits route through DNS LMS Onli...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no specific smoker ordinance. Chapter 80 (Public Nuisance) and Chapter 200-50 (Health Code) provide nuisance authority for excessive smoke. Wis...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Fire Code (Chapter 215) adopts the 2015 IFC with local amendments. IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tanks over 1 lb on c...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Milwaukee County.
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