Rock County, WI Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing provision
- Rock County Code § 6.112(3)(F)
- Enforcing agency
- Rock County Health Officer / Public Health Dept.
- Owner duty
- Abate breeding conditions per § 6.112(2)
- Order deadline
- 24 hours to 30+ days
- Penalty basis
- Forfeiture per Resolution 08-8A-054
- Repeat offense window
- Every 10 days (24 hrs if urgent)
Summary
Rock County treats any accumulation that lets flies, rats or other vermin breed, live, nest or shelter as a public health nuisance. The Health Officer can order property owners to clear rotting matter, trash and similar debris, with citations and forfeitures for anyone who ignores the order.
(F) Food or Breeding Places for Vermin, Insects, etc. - Accumulations of decayed animal or vegetable matter, trash, rubbish, garbage, rotting lumber bedding, packing material, scrap metal, animal and human fecal matter, or any substance in which flies, mosquitoes, disease-carrying insects, rats or other vermin can breed, live, nest or seek shelter.
Full Breakdown
112(2), it is the property owner's responsibility to keep the property nuisance-free and to abate or correct any such condition once it is found to exist. 112(4) directs the Health Officer or a designated representative to investigate every reported nuisance and determine whether it meets that definition. 112(5)(A) requires a written cleanup order specifying the corrective steps and a deadline of 24 hours up to 30 or more days, along with the penalty for non-compliance. 111(3)(A) and Wis. 112(5)(D) can bypass the written-order step and move straight to a citation or legal action.
112(6)(A) requires the Health Officer to first refer it to the appropriate state agency before acting locally, unless the state agency does not adequately address it.
Violations & Fines
Forfeitures follow the schedule adopted by County Resolution 08-8A-054, with jail of up to 60 days in Rock County Jail if a forfeiture judgment goes unpaid, per Section 6.111(5)(A). A separate offense is charged for each 10-day period the vermin-breeding condition continues uncorrected, shortened to 24 hours if the Health Officer determines it is an immediate health hazard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a rodent or vermin nuisance in Rock County?
Does the county inspect before issuing an order?
What happens if I don't clean up after being ordered to?
Can the county act immediately without a written warning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock County
Compare Rock County to another location·View the Wisconsin public health rules overview
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