Milwaukee County places no restriction on residential rainwater harvesting, and Wisconsin does not require a permit to collect rooftop rainwater for outdoor use. Rain barrels are encouraged regionally for stormwater control. Any indoor or plumbed system follows the Wisconsin plumbing code.
No Milwaukee County ordinance restricts residential rainwater harvesting, and Wisconsin does not require a water right or permit to capture rooftop rainwater for garden and lawn use. Rain barrels and cisterns for outdoor irrigation are legal statewide, and regional programs, including the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's green-infrastructure efforts, actively encourage rain barrels and rain gardens to cut stormwater runoff into the combined sewer system. Rules that do apply come from the Wisconsin plumbing code (Wis. Admin. Code SPS 381-387), which governs any system connecting to indoor plumbing or reusing water inside a building, and your municipality, which may set design guidance for larger cisterns. A standard backyard rain barrel needs no county or state permit.
Outdoor residential rain barrels are not a violation and carry no county penalty. A rainwater system plumbed into a building without meeting the Wisconsin plumbing code (SPS 381-387) can fail inspection. A neglected barrel breeding mosquitoes could draw a complaint.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Greenfield, WI
Greenfield regulates loud and disturbing noise through Chapter 10 (Public Peace and Good Order) of the City Code, with state backstop under Wis. Stat. §947.0...
Greenfield, WI
Greenfield regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Greenfield, WI
Persistent animal noise in Greenfield is a nuisance under Chapter 11 (Public Nuisances) and Chapter 12 (Health and Sanitation). Excessive barking disturbing ...
Greenfield, WI
Greenfield requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Greenfield, WI
Large commercial vehicles are restricted in Greenfield residential zones under city zoning code. Contact Greenfield Inspection Services for specific requirem...
Greenfield, WI
RV and recreational vehicle parking in Greenfield residential areas is governed by city zoning code (Ch. 21). Generally one RV permitted per lot with setback...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Milwaukee County.
See how Greenfield's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.