Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Burlington, WI Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

General street stop
24-hour maximum in one place
Alley stops
15 minutes for active loading/unloading
Night parking window
2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. restricted
Angle parking
Only where Common Council approves by ordinance
Enforcement agency
Burlington Police Department

Summary

Burlington's Common Council controls on-street parking through City Code § 293-3: angle parking only where approved, a 24-hour cap on leaving a vehicle in one spot, and alley stops limited to 15 minutes for active loading or unloading. The Police Department enforces the Official Traffic Map that marks the restricted zones.

Angle parking. Angle parking shall be permitted on any street within the City as the Common Council may from time to time approve by appropriate and legal ordinance adopted. ... No vehicle shall be permitted to stand in one place on a street or highway for more than 24 hours. ... Stopping, standing or parking in alleys. No person may park, stop or leave standing any vehicle upon any portion of any alley in the City except for a period of 15 minutes while actually engaged in loading or unloading or in receiving or discharging passengers, and in such event, a licensed operator of such vehicle shall be readily available so that the vehicle may be promptly moved in case of an emergency or to avoid obstruction of traffic.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4997580; v29 updated 2026-07-07; through 07-07-2026).

Full Breakdown

Section 293-3 of the Vehicles and Traffic chapter sets Burlington's core on-street parking rules, most recently amended March 18, 2014 by Ordinance No. 1979(13). Subsection A allows angle parking only on streets the Common Council approves by ordinance, with the Chief of Police responsible for keeping those locations current on the Official Traffic Map adopted under § 293-2. on any state or county trunk highway, in the Central Business District, or on any other City street or alley, except where alternate-side parking based on odd or even calendar dates and house numbers is in effect.

Exceptions cover physicians and emergency vehicles on calls, and alternate-side parking itself shuts off entirely during snow emergencies and other declared emergencies. The Chief of Police may grant an individual overnight parking permission or temporarily suspend the night restrictions for exceptional conditions, reporting the details to the City Administrator. Subsection F targets alleys specifically: no one may park, stop or leave a vehicle standing in any City alley except for up to 15 minutes while actually loading, unloading, or receiving or discharging passengers, and the vehicle's operator must stay available to move it immediately for an emergency or to clear an obstruction.

Subsection C bars parking that ignores marked stalls on streets or curbs where they exist, and municipal parking lots carry their own 24-hour limit, permit system, and bans on trailers and semitrailer trucks under Subsection B.

Violations & Fines

Section 293-15C makes any parking violation punishable as set out in Chapter 1, § 1-4, of the Municipal Code; paying the forfeiture within 28 days under a stipulation of guilt avoids court costs, while nonpayment brings prosecution or other collection action. Section 293-15D holds both the registered owner and the operator responsible for an unattended vehicle parked illegally, and § 293-17 separately bars tampering with an officer's tire chalk mark or otherwise interfering with parking enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I leave my car parked on a Burlington street?
No more than 24 hours in one spot under § 293-3E. Overnight, additional restrictions apply between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., including alternate-side parking on residential streets and a full ban in the Central Business District and on state or county trunk highways, unless the Chief of Police grants an exception.
Can I stop my car in an alley to unload groceries?
Yes, briefly. Section 293-3F allows stopping, parking or standing in an alley for up to 15 minutes while actually loading, unloading, or picking up or dropping off passengers, provided a licensed operator stays available to move the vehicle immediately if needed for an emergency or to clear traffic.
What happens if I ignore Burlington's parking rules?
Section 293-15C makes the violation a forfeiture under Chapter 1, § 1-4 of the Municipal Code, payable within 28 days to avoid court costs. Under § 293-15D, both the vehicle's registered owner and its operator can be held responsible if it is left unattended in violation, and tampering with an officer's enforcement mark is a separate offense under § 293-17.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Burlington

All Burlington rules

Compare Burlington to another location·View the Wisconsin parking rules overview

Get notified when Street Parking Limits in Burlington, WI changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.