Jefferson County, WI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Under Jefferson County Code § 18-72(5), a public nuisance includes any accumulation of decayed animal or vegetable matter, trash, rubbish, garbage, rotting lumber, bedding, packing material, scrap metal, or animal and human fecal matter in which flies, mosquitoes, disease-carrying insects, rats or other vermin can breed, live, nest or seek shelter. Section 18-70 makes it unlawful to erect, cause, continue or permit any public nuisance in the county, and § 18-71 puts the duty on both tenants and property owners to keep their property nuisance-free and to abate any nuisance found on it.

The county health officer, defined in § 18-69 as the public health department director, or a designated representative investigates every reported nuisance under § 18-75 and issues a written cleanup order specifying the corrective action and a deadline that can run from 24 hours to 30 days or more depending on severity. If the order is ignored, the health officer can issue a citation under Wis. 0113 or refer the matter to the district attorney or corporation counsel for court action seeking a higher forfeiture or an injunction.

In an immediate health hazard, or where the responsible party refuses to comply, the county can abate the condition itself and bill the owner for the cost.