Janesville, WI Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 10-241(a) lets the Building Official issue a raze or repair order for any building or structure, including a fence, billboard or sign, found to be so old, dilapidated, damaged or out of repair that it is dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or unfit for habitation, or where construction has stalled for more than two years. If repair is unreasonable or the structure is a public safety hazard, the Building Official instead issues a condemnation order. An owner who wants to repair rather than lose the building must submit a signed compliance agreement itemizing every repair and a work schedule within 30 days of the order or the damaging event, per § 10-241(a)(1)e; the Building Official can extend that filing window for good cause but never past 90 days, and the whole repair job must finish within one year, a deadline that cannot be extended for any reason.

The agreement must be backed by contractor bids and proof the owner can pay for the work. Under § 10-241(b), if repair costs would exceed 50 percent of the building's equalized assessed value and the structure endangers the public, condemnation follows under Wis. Stats. § 66.0413. A lesser hazard, such as a building lacking maintenance or sanitary facilities, instead gets a vacate order under § 10-242, and any violation not requiring condemnation or vacation gets a correction order under § 10-243, typically with at least 30 days to comply. Orders are served by mail or personal delivery, or posted on the structure, § 10-244.