Milwaukee County has no countywide dark-sky or outdoor-lighting ordinance for private property. Lighting, shielding, and glare standards are adopted by individual cities and villages through their zoning codes, so requirements vary across the county.
Milwaukee County imposes no countywide dark-sky or exterior-lighting standard on private property. Outdoor-lighting controls, such as full-cutoff or shielded fixture requirements, height and lumen limits, and curfews on non-essential lighting, are matters of municipal zoning adopted under Wis. Stat. 62.23(7). In a dense, fully incorporated county, standards differ from one community to the next; some municipalities include lighting and glare provisions in their zoning or site-plan review, while others rely on general nuisance rules. Wisconsin has no statewide residential dark-sky mandate. To learn what applies to a home, business, or new development, consult the zoning department of the city or village where the property sits. On county park land, the county's park rules apply instead.
Because there is no county dark-sky ordinance, enforcement for private property comes from the applicable municipal zoning or site-plan conditions, or from local nuisance rules. Penalties, where they exist, are set by the city or village, not by Milwaukee County.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Wauwatosa, WI
Wauwatosa Municipal Code Chapter 7.46 (Noise) within Title 7 prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing noise that injures the health, peace, or comfort of othe...
Wauwatosa, WI
Wauwatosa requires pets to be confined by leash, pen, or fence on owner's property. Persistent barking is a nuisance violation under Ch. 7.46. Residents may ...
Wauwatosa, WI
RV and boat storage in Wauwatosa residential areas is regulated by city zoning. Generally one RV permitted on a residential lot with setback requirements. Fr...
Wauwatosa, WI
Wauwatosa street parking follows local signage and Wisconsin traffic law. No city-wide overnight parking ban unless posted. Snow emergency restrictions apply...
Wauwatosa, WI
Wauwatosa requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Wauwatosa, WI
Abandoned vehicles in Wauwatosa are regulated under state law (Wis. Stat. §342.40) and city nuisance ordinances. Inoperable or unlicensed vehicles visible fr...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Milwaukee County.
See how Wauwatosa's dark sky rules rules stack up against other locations.
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