Waukesha County, WI Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Minor curfew hours
- 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Exception
- Accompanied by parent, guardian or adult custodian
- County buildings rule
- Must leave when an officer orders it
- Sec. 13-158 effective date
- June 11, 2024 (Ord. 179-9)
- Minor forfeiture (14-17)
- $10-$25 plus costs
- Adult building-loitering forfeiture
- $25-$200 plus costs
Summary
Waukesha County bars minors under 17 from loitering in public places between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless a parent or guardian is present, under Code Sec. 13-152. A separate, newer rule, Sec. 13-158, lets sheriff's deputies and other officials order anyone loitering in a county building to leave.
Sec. 13-152 Loitering of minors. It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of seventeen (17) years to congregate, loiter, wander, stroll, stand or play in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, public buildings, places of amusement and entertainment, vacant lots, or any public places in the county either on foot or in or upon any conveyance being driven or parked thereon between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day unless accompanied by his parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care, custody, or control of such minor. ... Sec. 13-158 Loitering in County Buildings No person shall loiter, lounge or loaf in any county building, obstruct others from conducting business or authorized use, or continue a presence without having lawful business after being requested to move by any sheriff's deputy, police officer or other person in authority at such building.
Full Breakdown
Sec. , unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or other adult with custody of the minor. Because loitering minors is Division 2's own offense, the general Division 2 penalty in Sec. 13-151 applies: a 14-to-17-year-old faces a forfeiture of $10 to $25 plus costs or referral to juvenile authorities under Wis. Stat. Ch. 48 or 938, while anyone under 14 is referred outright with no forfeiture. Sec. 13-158, created by Enrolled Ordinance 179-9 effective June 11, 2024, separately bars loitering, lounging or loafing in any county building, obstructing others from conducting business, or remaining without lawful business after a sheriff's deputy, police officer or other person in authority asks the person to move.
Because Sec. 13-158 carries no age limit, an adult violator falls under Sec. 13-151(b): a forfeiture of $25 to $200 plus costs, with nonpayment converting to county jail commitment capped at 60 days for a forfeiture up to $200. '), enforced countywide by the sheriff's department per Sec. 13-101, which governs the unincorporated towns; the cities and villages within the county enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Minors 14 to 17 cited under Sec. 13-152 face a $10-$25 forfeiture plus costs or referral to juvenile authorities under Wis. Stat. Ch. 48 or 938; anyone under 14 is referred without a forfeiture. An adult cited for loitering in a county building under Sec. 13-158 faces the Division 2 default penalty of $25 to $200 plus costs under Sec. 13-151(b), with nonpayment converting to county jail time of up to 60 days for a forfeiture in that range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours does Waukesha County's minor loitering rule cover?
Can I be told to leave a county building for loitering?
What penalty does a minor face for violating the curfew?
Does the loitering ordinance apply in the City of Oconomowoc?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
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