Milwaukee County, WI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval needed
- County board special privilege
- Plus
- Director of Public Works permit
- Sign projection limit
- 4 feet, 10 feet high
- Liability insurance
- $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 coverage
- Removal notice
- 30 days after written notice
Summary
Milwaukee County requires a special privilege from the county board plus a director-of-public-works permit before any building, structure, sign, flagpole, or retaining wall may permanently project into a public way, per § 67.07.
Except as otherwise regulated in this chapter, no part of any building, structure, addition, alteration, or construction hereafter erected shall project into the public ways without first obtaining a special privilege granted by the county board and a permit therefor from the director of public works.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 112).
Full Breakdown
Section 67.07 covers permanent projections into the public way -- signs, flagpoles, retaining walls and fences. Anything not on the chapter's short pre-approved list needs a special privilege granted by the county board itself, plus a director-of-public-works permit. Wall-mounted signs may project up to 4 feet if at least 10 feet above the sidewalk; flagpoles must clear 3 feet from the curb with 10 feet of vertical clearance. Retaining walls and fences require a recorded agreement, can't sit closer than 6 inches to the sidewalk, and the owner must carry liability insurance naming the county as insured (§ 67.07(8), (10)).
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted encroachments violate Chapter 67 and can be ordered removed at the owner's expense; retaining walls/fences must come out within 30 days of notice or the county removes them and charges the property, per §§ 67.07(9), 67.03.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a retaining wall or fence in the public right-of-way?
What insurance do I need for an encroachment permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee County
Compare Milwaukee County to another location·View the Wisconsin sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.