Racine County, WI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Default duty
- Occupant of infested unit
- Shifts to owner
- If building isn't rodent-proof
- Vacant units
- Always owner's responsibility
- Who may treat
- Licensed exterminator only
Summary
Racine County places extermination duty on the occupant of an infested dwelling, but shifts it to the owner when the property itself isn't rodent-proof.
Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any vermin in or on the premises... Notwithstanding such provisions, whenever an infestation is caused by the failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a reasonably rodent-proof or insect-proof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. All extermination services shall be performed by a licensed exterminator.
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
The county's habitability chapter makes each occupant responsible for exterminating vermin in a single-unit dwelling, and each occupant of a multi-unit dwelling responsible within their own unit when theirs is the only one infested. That duty shifts to the owner whenever the infestation traces to the owner's failure to keep the dwelling reasonably rodent- or insect-proof, and always falls on the owner for a vacant unit. The code further requires that extermination be performed by a licensed exterminator, with reports submitted to the code official on request.
Violations & Fines
Forfeiture of $300 to $1,000 per violation, plus prosecution costs; each day of continued violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays to exterminate vermin in a Racine County rental?
Can a tenant do their own pest control?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Racine County
Compare Racine County to another location·View the Wisconsin public health rules overview
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