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Racine County, WI Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Scope
Unincorporated county areas only
Penalty
$10-$200 forfeiture
Enforced by
County sheriff's department
Exempt
Enrolled students, parents/guardians

Summary

In unincorporated Racine County, it's illegal to loiter as a visitor in or around a public school without staff permission, or to loiter on private-school grounds anywhere in the county; enrolled students and parents/guardians are exempt.

City-specific rules exist: Burlington has its own loitering rules rules that differ from Racine County's county-level regulations. If you live in Burlington, check the city-specific page instead.

It is unlawful for any person not excluded by subsection (b) below who is present as a visitor to loiter in any public school building or on public school district property or about such school building in unincorporated areas of the county without the permission of the principal, custodian or other person in charge thereof.

(b) Excluded from the provisions of subsection (a) above are students regularly enrolled in the public school who have not been properly ordered by the principal, custodian or other person in charge thereof from the public school building or from public school district property about the school. Excluded from the provisions of subsection (a) above are parents or legal guardians of a student regularly enrolled at said public school. Such parent or legal guardian may be required to register at the office of the school.

(c) As used in this section, the term "loiter" shall mean to stay aimlessly and idly within a public school building or on public school district property about such school building without any purpose at all; or to be in the public school building or on school district property about such school building without proper permission; or to be present in the public school building or on the public school district property about such school building for some illegal purpose.

(d) The penalty for each violation of this section shall be a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00). (Code 1975, § 13.062)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).

Full Breakdown

Sec. 11-4(a) makes it unlawful for a visitor to loiter in or around a public school building or on public school district property in the unincorporated areas of the county without permission from the principal, custodian, or other person in charge. Subsection (c) defines 'loiter' as staying aimlessly and idly, being present without proper permission, or being present for an illegal purpose. Enrolled students not ordered off the property, and parents or guardians of enrolled students, are excluded. A companion provision, Sec. 11-5, separately bars loitering on private-school grounds county-wide.

Violations & Fines

Forfeiture of $10 to $200 per violation, plus costs; the sheriff's department enforces it and may issue citations under Chapter 5's schedule of deposits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply inside the City of Racine or other municipalities?
No. Sec. 11-4 covers only unincorporated areas of the county; cities and villages like Racine, Burlington, and Union Grove set their own school-loitering rules.
Who is exempt from the loitering ban?
Enrolled students who haven't been ordered off the property, and parents or guardians of enrolled students, though guardians may be required to register at the school office.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Racine County

All Racine County rules

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