Milwaukee caps grass and weeds at 8 inches under Chapter 80. The Department of Neighborhood Services issues 10-day notices before abating overgrown properties at owner expense.
Milwaukee Code Chapter 80 declares grass or weeds exceeding 8 inches a public nuisance. The Department of Neighborhood Services inspects on complaint or routine sweep and mails a 10-day notice requiring cutting. If the property is not cut in time, DNS dispatches a contractor to perform the cut and adds the cost plus administrative fees (typically $250 to $500 for a standard lot) to the property tax bill. Repeat offenders at the same address may be issued citations without further notice. Native plant gardens and rain gardens may qualify for a Natural Lawn exemption with DNS if registered in advance.
City abatement runs $250 to $500 per cut billed to the tax roll. Repeat offenders also receive $150 to $500 citations.
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.
See how other cities in Milwaukee County handle grass height limits.
See how Milwaukee's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.