Outagamie County, WI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Duty holder
- Property owner, not tenant
- Governing section
- Sec. 28-22(3)
- Enforced by
- County environmental health sanitarians
- Enforcement tool
- Notice of violation, Sec. 28-26
Summary
Outagamie County's minimum housing code makes the owner of a dwelling responsible for exterminating pest infestations, enforced through inspections by the county's environmental health sanitarians.
Sec. 28-22. - Sanitation requirements. Sanitation requirements are as follows:
(1)Every dwelling or dwelling unit shall contain:a.A plumbing system that complies with the appropriate Wisconsin Administrative Codes governing plumbing. A water heating system shall be supplied that is capable of providing an adequate amount of heated water.b.Drinking water that meets the standards set forth by the appropriate Wisconsin Administrative Codes governing drinking water quality.c.A flush water closet or other approved toilet facilities, a lavatory with water, and a bathtub or shower in good working condition.d.A kitchen sink in good operating condition with running water.(2)Every dwelling shall have adequate removal of garbage and rubbish from the interior and exterior of the dwelling. Garbage and rubbish shall not be allowed to cause a nuisance or human health hazard. The owner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that rubbish and garbage is removed from the interior and exterior of the dwelling.(3)The owner shall provide for the extermination of any pest infestations.(4)Every habitable room shall have at least one opening that can be opened to ventilate the room. (Ord. No. G-1999-2000, § 11.06(3), 9-28-1999)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).
Full Breakdown
Section 28-22(3) of the county's minimum housing standards requires that 'the owner shall provide for the extermination of any pest infestations' in any dwelling or dwelling unit; the same section makes the owner responsible for removing garbage and rubbish so it doesn't become a nuisance or health hazard. County environmental health sanitarians enforce Article II and may inspect a dwelling under section 28-25, then issue a written notice of violation under section 28-26. Appleton and other incorporated cities that run their own health department enforce housing sanitation under their own municipal code instead.
Violations & Fines
Violating the sanitation article triggers a written notice of violation and repair order under section 28-26; noncompliance is subject to the general penalty provisions of section 1-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the county exterminate pests for me?
Does this rule apply inside Appleton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Outagamie County
Compare Outagamie County to another location·View the Wisconsin public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.