Wisconsin's littering statute, Wis. Stat. § 287.81, bans depositing solid waste on any public or private property, with forfeitures up to $500 (up to $1,000 for large items). Milwaukee County enforces dumping on its parks and land; municipalities enforce elsewhere.
Illegal dumping across Milwaukee County is prohibited by the statewide littering law, Wis. Stat. § 287.81, which bars any person from depositing or discharging solid waste on or along any highway, in the waters of the state, or on any other public or private property. Enforcement is split by property: municipalities police dumping within their borders — the City of Milwaukee runs a “Report Illegal Dumping” program through the Department of Neighborhood Services with a reward for tips — while Milwaukee County enforces against dumping in county parks, parkways, and other county-owned land, patrolled by Parks Rangers and the Sheriff. Dumping in county parks has been a documented, costly problem prompting county cleanup efforts.
Under Wis. Stat. § 287.81, a person who deposits solid waste on public or private property may forfeit up to $500; a “large item” brings a forfeiture of up to $1,000. Violators may also pay removal costs.
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See how Milwaukee County's illegal dumping rules stack up against other locations.
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