Madison, WI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family default duty
- Occupant exterminates pests/rodents
- Duty shifts to owner if
- Unit unclean at move-in or not rodentproof
- Multi-unit buildings
- Owner responsible for extermination
- Debris definition includes
- Rodent harborage and infestation
- Severe cases
- Building can be placarded unfit
Summary
Madison makes single-family occupants responsible for exterminating pests, vermin, or rodents in their own unit, but shifts that duty to the owner if the unit wasn't clean at move-in or the building isn't rodentproof, under MGO § 27.07(2)(d).
(d)Every occupant of a single-family dwelling shall be responsible for the extermination of any pests, vermin or rodents therein with the following exceptions: when the owner or operator has failed to clean the dwelling prior to occupancy or when the owner or operator is out of compliance with Madison General Ordinances Sec. 27.05(2)(g)2., extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in any residential dwelling other than a single-family dwelling, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 07(2)(d) fixes responsibility for pest control between owners and occupants of residential buildings. The default rule for a single-family dwelling is that the occupant handles extermination of pests, vermin, or rodents. That default flips to the owner in two situations: when the owner or operator failed to clean the dwelling before the tenant moved in, or when the owner is out of compliance with Sec. ' For any residential dwelling other than a single-family home, duplexes, apartment buildings, lodging houses, the ordinance puts extermination squarely on the owner whenever infestation exists, without the occupant-first default.
The code separately defines the trigger for these duties at Sec. ' The related maintenance duty at Sec. ' The Building Inspection Division of the Department of Planning and Community and Economic Development enforces these duties and can issue compliance orders under Sec. 09; a building found 'vermin infested' to the point of creating a serious health hazard can be designated unfit for human habitation under Sec. 08.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with an extermination or debris-removal order from the Building Inspection Division exposes the responsible owner or occupant to a municipal citation under Sec. 27.09's enforcement authority, and a building that is vermin-infested to a degree that creates a serious hazard to occupants or the public can be placarded as unfit for human habitation under Sec. 27.08, requiring the space to be vacated until the condition is corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for pest control in a Madison rental home?
Who handles pest control in a Madison apartment building?
What counts as 'infestation' under Madison's housing code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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How other cities in Dane County handle rodent control.