Neenah, WI Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Building deemed dilapidated, unsafe or unfit
- Immediate danger
- Mayor directs Police Chief to post notice
- No immediate danger
- City sues in Circuit Court instead
- Cost recovery
- Special charge assessed against the property
- Governing chapter
- Neenah Code Chapter 10, Nuisances
Summary
Neenah cites dilapidated, unsafe buildings as a public nuisance and lets the Chief of Police serve notice to abate; if the owner doesn't act, the City removes or repairs the property and bills the cost to them.
Dilapidated buildings. All buildings or structures so old, dilapidated or out of repair or uncompleted as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human use... If the inspecting officer shall determine that a public nuisance exists within the City and that there is immediate danger to the public health, safety, peace, morals or decency, the Mayor may direct the Chief of Police to serve notice on the person causing, permitting or maintaining such nuisance... Such notice shall direct the person... to abate or remove such nuisance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
Neenah's nuisance code lists buildings "so old, dilapidated or out of repair or uncompleted as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human use" as a public nuisance under Sec. 10-5(7). Under Sec. 10-6, when an inspecting officer finds immediate danger to health or safety, the Mayor can direct the Chief of Police to post notice ordering the owner to abate it; if the owner doesn't comply, the City does the work itself. Where there's no immediate danger, the City sues in Circuit Court instead. Either way, Sec. 10-7 makes the abatement cost a debt collectible from the owner, assessed against the property as a special charge.
Violations & Fines
Failure to abate after notice lets the City perform the work itself and bill the owner; unpaid costs become a special charge assessed against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Neenah force me to fix or demolish a dangerous building?
What makes a building a public nuisance in Neenah?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Neenah
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