Sheboygan, WI Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sheboygan Municipal Code § 26-653 (Property Maintenance Code)
- Forfeiture
- $150 to $750 plus costs of prosecution (§ 26-651(b))
- Continuing violations
- Each day is a separate offense
- Abatement notice
- Not less than 24 hours for a health or safety nuisance (§ 26-703(b))
- City abatement cost
- Cost plus 50 percent plus sales tax, $25.00 minimum (§ 26-703(e))
- Enforcer
- Code enforcement officers, inspectors, director of planning and development
- Appeal
- Petition to the zoning board of appeals under § 26-869
Summary
In Sheboygan, no one can use or maintain building exteriors or surrounding premises in a way that limits neighbors' use of their property or lowers neighborhood values. Section 26-653 names exterior junk, trash, discarded vehicles and appliances, mismatched patchwork repairs, and accumulated rubbish as violations. Code enforcement officers and inspectors enforce it, with forfeitures of $150 to $750.
(a) Exteriors and premises. No person shall use or maintain building exteriors or surrounding premises in a manner that limits the use or enjoyment of neighboring property or which causes or tends to cause diminution of the value of the property of others in the neighborhood in which such premises is located by reason of: (1) Exterior storage of scrap lumber, junk, trash, or other debris, including, without limitation of enumeration, discarded objects or equipment such as motor vehicles, furniture, appliances, farm or manufacturing equipment, building materials, or litter. (2) Exterior patchwork, repair, or reconstruction that results in a multi-textured or multi-colored effect or appearance not consonant with the decor, architectural design, or aesthetics of the rest of such building. (b) Sanitation. All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish, garbage or debris.
Full Breakdown
Section 26-653 of the Sheboygan Municipal Code sits in the Property Maintenance Code, which section 26-651(a) defines as Article VII of Chapter 26 together with the International Property Maintenance Code as adopted and modified in section 26-37(a)(2). Subsection (a) bars using or maintaining building exteriors or surrounding premises in a manner that limits the use or enjoyment of neighboring property or tends to cause diminution of the value of the property of others in the neighborhood. Two triggers are listed: exterior storage of scrap lumber, junk, trash or other debris, expressly including discarded motor vehicles, furniture, appliances, farm or manufacturing equipment, building materials and litter; and exterior patchwork, repair or reconstruction that produces a multi-textured or multi-colored appearance out of step with the rest of the building.
Subsection (b) requires all exterior property areas to stay clean and sanitary and free of rubbish, garbage or debris. Subsection (c) requires grading so that no stagnant water stands on the premises. Subsection (d) puts extermination of insects, rodents and vermin in exterior areas on the owner, except that the occupant of a single-family dwelling carries it. Subsection (e) requires accessory structures, including detached garages, to be kept structurally sound and in good repair. Section 26-652 declares any noncompliant structure or premises a nuisance and directs code enforcement officers or inspectors to inspect as necessary and abate under Chapter 26 or Chapter 66.
Under section 26-703, the director of planning and development, or a designee, orders abatement of a health or safety nuisance on notice of not less than 24 hours, and the person ordered can petition the zoning board of appeals for a hearing under section 26-869. If the owner does not comply, the director causes the abatement, and the cost plus 50 percent plus applicable sales tax, with a minimum fee of $25.00, is collected from the owner or assessed against the real estate. Section 66-13 separately declares it a nuisance to keep any property in the city with rubbish, debris or stagnant water. The text is as printed in the Municode edition current to March 8, 2023.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the Property Maintenance Code, or of a lawful order of a code enforcement officer or inspector, carries a forfeiture of $150 to $750 plus costs of prosecution under section 26-651(b), with up to 90 days in the county jail on default of payment. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense. Reletting a vacant dwelling after written notice that it cannot be relet draws $1,000 under section 26-651(c), and removing a condemnation placard draws $1,000 under section 26-651(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
What exterior conditions count as blight in Sheboygan?
Who must exterminate pests outside a building?
What happens if I ignore an abatement notice?
Can I challenge an order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sheboygan
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