Milwaukee, WI Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 116-15, Milwaukee Code of Ordinances
- Compliance window
- 3 to 30 days after written notice
- Daily fine
- $1 to $100 per day of violation
- Cap on accumulated penalties
- $1,000 per enforcement action
- Enforcing agency
- Commissioner of Public Works
Summary
The city can order owners of unsafe or unsightly vacant lots to clear debris, surface irregularities, and unfinished excavations within 3 to 30 days, or crews will do the work and bill the owner.
Whenever an unoccupied or partially unoccupied
lot or parcel of land in the city has been left in an
unsafe or unsightly condition, or both, because
of debris, unsightly materials, or surface
irregularities, or unprotected or unfinished
excavations, it shall be the duty of the
commissioner of public works to notify the owner
or person in charge in writing, to clean up and, if
necessary, protect the premises. The time in
which the owner or person in charge must
comply with the aforementioned order shall be in
the discretion of the commissioner of public
works, but the time given in such order shall not
be less than 3 days, nor more than 30 days. In
the event such order is not complied with, the
-765-
11/7/2025
Full Breakdown
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 116-15 lets the commissioner of public works order cleanup of any unoccupied or partially unoccupied lot left unsafe or unsightly by debris, unsightly materials, surface irregularities, or unprotected excavations. The commissioner notifies the owner or person in charge in writing and sets a compliance deadline of not less than 3 days nor more than 30 days. If the owner ignores the order, the commissioner can send city crews to clear the lot and assess the cost against the property under the city charter's special-assessment procedure, the same way similar public-improvement charges are billed.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring the cleanup order risks a fine of $1 to $100 per day, with total accumulated penalties in one action capped at $1,000, plus the city's cleanup costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an unsafe or unsightly vacant lot in Milwaukee?
What happens if the owner doesn't clean up the vacant lot in time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
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