Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Wisconsin (2026)
11 rules on the books across Wisconsin, 10 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Sit-Lie Rules
Citywide rules against sitting or lying on public sidewalks during specified daytime hours in commercial corridors, including how courts have constrained enforcement.
New Berlin
Significant RestrictionsNew Berlin bars standing, sitting, loafing, or loitering on any public street, sidewalk, bridge, or public ground when…
Read full rule →Ashwaubenon
Some RestrictionsAshwaubenon bars standing, sitting, loafing or loitering on a public street, sidewalk, bridge or public ground where it…
Read full rule →Burlington
Some RestrictionsBurlington bans lounging or loitering that blocks a street, bridge, sidewalk or crossing once a police officer tells…
Read full rule →Middleton
Some RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 16.04(9) bars obstructing, loitering on, or causing a nuisance on public streets…
Read full rule →Fitchburg
Light RestrictionsFitchburg, Wisconsin has no ordinance that singles out sitting or lying on a sidewalk. Instead, Fitchburg City Code §…
Read full rule →Encampment Sanitation
How cities provide trash, hygiene, and bulky-item pickup at encampments, the CARE/CARE+ cleanups in LA, and the storage-of-belongings rules from Lavan v. LA.
Janesville
Heavy RestrictionsIn the City of Janesville it is unlawful to camp on city park property, any public parking ramp, or other city-owned…
Read full rule →Rock County
Heavy RestrictionsRock County bans overnight sleeping, camping or lodging on any park, recreational trail or other county property under…
Read full rule →Waukesha
Heavy RestrictionsWaukesha makes it unlawful to lodge, camp or use as a temporary residence any City park, plaza area or municipal…
Read full rule →Grant County
Significant RestrictionsGrant County Code § 200-12 bars sleeping, camping or lodging in any county park except in places designated as…
Read full rule →Middleton
Significant RestrictionsCity of Middleton Municipal Code § 16.04(11) bans camping on any City-owned land, including public rights of way…
Read full rule →Neenah
Significant RestrictionsNeenah bans camping on any city right-of-way or other city property, but requires police to give a warning and a…
Read full rule →