Sheboygan, WI Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Forfeiture range
- $150.00 to $750.00 plus costs of prosecution
- Continuing violations
- Each day is a separate offense
- Re-letting after notice
- $1,000.00 forfeiture, each rental period separate
- Adopted standard
- International Property Maintenance Code, as modified in Sec. 26-37(a)(2)
- Nuisance notice
- Not less than 24 hours (Sec. 26-703)
- Emergency orders
- Effective immediately, no notice or hearing (Sec. 26-701)
- Gutters
- Required on dwellings nearer than three feet to a property line
Summary
Sheboygan enforces its Property Maintenance Code, which adopts the International Property Maintenance Code with local changes, against every structure and premises in the city, rentals included. A violation costs a forfeiture of $150.00 to $750.00 plus costs under Sec. 26-651, and re-letting a vacant dwelling after a written violation notice costs the owner $1,000.00.
(b) Except as provided in this section, a violation of the Property Maintenance Code or of any lawful order of a code enforcement officer or an inspector issued pursuant to such provisions shall subject the violator to a forfeiture of not less than $150.00 nor more than $750.00, together with the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, to imprisonment in the county jail until the forfeiture and costs are paid, but not exceeding 90 days. Each day that a violation shall continue shall constitute a separate offense. (c) If a vacant dwelling is relet after written notice is given by the a code enforcement officer or an inspector that a vacant dwelling or dwelling unit cannot be relet until all such violations are corrected, the owner shall be subject to a forfeiture of $1,000.00, together with the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, to imprisonment in the county jail until the forfeiture and costs are paid, but not exceeding 60 days. Each rental period shall constitute a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Section 26-651(a) gives one name to Article VII of Chapter 26 together with the International Property Maintenance Code, as adopted and modified in Sec. 26-37(a)(2): the Property Maintenance Code, also called the Housing Maintenance Code. Section 26-37(a)(2) adopts the International code as amended from time to time but excludes Subsection 102.3, Section 103, Section 111, Section 303, Subsection 304.3, Subsection 307.3.1 and Subsection 307.3.2, and rewrites others. Section 301.2 is modified to read that no person shall use, occupy, own, or permit use of any structure or premises that does not comply with the code. Subsection 304.7 is modified so that all roofs must be structurally sound, tight and free of defects that admit rain, existing gutters and downspouts must be kept in good repair and direct water away from all foundations, and all dwellings nearer than three feet to a property line must have gutters and downspouts installed on the entire affected side.
Section 26-652 puts the duty on owners and occupants alike: no person shall use, occupy, own, or permit use of any structure or premises that does not comply with the article, and any such violation is a nuisance. Code enforcement officers or inspectors inspect premises as necessary and can abate the nuisance under Chapter 26 or Chapter 66. In an emergency, Sec. 26-701 lets an officer or inspector issue an order without notice or hearing that is effective immediately, and the person served can petition the zoning board of appeals for a hearing. For other health or safety nuisances, Sec. 26-703 has the director of planning and development, or a designee, serve notice within a reasonable time of not less than 24 hours. Under Sec. 26-702 the director can write enforcement rules, which carry the same force and penalty as the article once a majority of the common council members present approve them. The Municode text is printed current to its 2023-03-08 update.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the Property Maintenance Code or of a lawful order of a code enforcement officer or inspector is a forfeiture of not less than $150.00 nor more than $750.00 plus costs of prosecution, with up to 90 days in the county jail on default, and each day is a separate offense. Re-letting a vacant dwelling after written notice is $1,000.00 plus costs, up to 60 days on default, and each rental period is a separate offense. Defacing or removing a condemnation placard is $1,000.00 plus costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What standards apply to a rental dwelling in Sheboygan?
Can a landlord re-let a unit after Sheboygan cites violations?
Can the city order an immediate fix without a hearing?
How much notice comes before a health or safety nuisance is abated?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sheboygan
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