Wauwatosa, WI Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must maintain
- Abutting property owner (§ 12.20.090)
- Neglect penalty
- $5 per 3 days plus prosecution costs
- Repair notice period
- 3 days after board of public works notice
- Non-compliance outcome
- City repairs, bills owner via special tax
- Standard sidewalk width
- 5 feet (§ 12.20.050)
- New sidewalk permit
- Required from city engineer (§ 12.20.140)
Summary
In Wauwatosa, the owner of every lot or tract of land adjoining a public sidewalk must keep that sidewalk in good and safe condition. Neglect draws a five-dollar penalty for each three-day period the defect goes unfixed, plus the city's costs of prosecution, under Wauwatosa Municipal Code Section 12.20.090.
The owner of every lot or tract of land in the city of Wauwatosa, adjoining which there is a sidewalk, is required to keep such sidewalk in good and safe condition to prevent accident, and for each three days of neglect so to do shall forfeit and pay penalty of five dollars together with the costs of prosecution. ... Whenever any sidewalk in the city of Wauwatosa is, in the opinion of the board of public works of the city, in such an unsafe condition as to require repairing, it shall be the duty of said officers to notify the owner of the property adjoining such sidewalk, as provided in Section 66.0907 of the Wisconsin Statutes to repair the same in a manner to be approved by the board, within three days, and in case any such owner neglects to do so, the board shall immediately cause the same to be repaired and shall certify and return the expense thereof to the city clerk, and such expense is levied upon the property bounded by such sidewalk as a special tax thereon, and the same shall be collected as is provided in Section 66.615 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Full Breakdown
Wauwatosa places the burden of everyday sidewalk upkeep squarely on the abutting property owner, not the city. 13(1), requires the owner of every lot adjoining a sidewalk to keep it in good and safe condition to prevent accidents. An owner who lets a defect go unrepaired forfeits five dollars for every three days of neglect, on top of whatever it costs the city to prosecute the violation. The city also runs its own enforcement track for sidewalks it judges unsafe. 0907, and give the owner three days to make the repair to the board's satisfaction.
If the owner does nothing, the board sends its own crews to fix the sidewalk and certifies the cost to the city clerk. 615 as cited in the code. 050 fixes the standard width at five feet unless another width has been separately established. 140 requires anyone building a new sidewalk to get a permit from the city engineer first.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring the ordinary maintenance duty under Section 12.20.090 carries a forfeiture of five dollars for each three-day period of neglect plus the costs of prosecution. Ignoring a formal repair notice under Section 12.20.100 is costlier: the board of public works repairs the sidewalk itself and certifies the expense to the city clerk, who levies it as a special tax lien against the property, collected exactly like a delinquent property tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for fixing a broken sidewalk in Wauwatosa?
What happens if I don't fix my sidewalk after the city notifies me?
How much can I be fined for a neglected sidewalk?
Do I need a permit to replace my own sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wauwatosa
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Sidewalk Repair in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle sidewalk repair.