Burlington, WI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

City Code § 181-4A(1), part of the Property Maintenance Code adopted 8-1-2023 by Ord. No. 2099(5), requires every foundation and exterior wall to be reasonably weathertight, rodent-proof and insect-proof and kept in good repair. Section 181-4C(4) adds that every openable basement window must have rodent shields, storm windows or other approved protection against rodent entry, and § 181-4G requires exterior property areas to be kept free of rodent harborage and infestation along with debris and animal feces. Separately, the Nuisances chapter's § 227-3C declares "breeding places for vermin" a specific public health nuisance: accumulations of decayed animal or vegetable matter, trash, rubbish, rotting lumber, bedding, packing material, scrap metal or any material in which rats or other vermin may breed.

A Property Maintenance Code violation is enforced by the Building Inspector or a contracted code enforcement agency under § 181-6, which can issue a citation directly without a prior correction order if warranted, and § 181-9 sets reinspection fees of $75 for the first reinspection and $100 for each additional one per parcel. A property owner can appeal an order to the Common Council within five business days under § 181-10, and unresolved nuisances under Chapter 227 can be abated by City officers under § 227-7, with abatement costs charged back to the owner as a special assessment under § 227-8.