Sauk County, WI Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger (a)
- Waste/garbage not in enclosed container
- Trigger (e)
- Unreasonable trash/rubbish accumulation breeding vermin
- Responsible party
- Owner, agent or occupant of property
- Enforcement
- Sauk County Health Department / health officer
- Penalty
- $50-$200 forfeiture per day, plus costs
Summary
Dumping or accumulating waste, garbage, trash or scrap outside a closed container in unincorporated Sauk County is declared a 'human health hazard' under Sec. 28.011(3)(a) and (e), giving the Health Department abatement and forfeiture authority over the property.
(3)Human health hazards enumerated. The following, except to the extent as incorporated into approved agricultural practices, it not being the intent of this ordinance to regulate approved agricultural practices, are hereby expressly declared to be human health hazards without limitation by reason of such enumeration:(a)Failure to keep waste, refuse, or garbage in an enclosed building or properly contained in a closed container designed or reasonably adapted for such purpose. ... (e)Causing or allowing unreasonable accumulation of decayed animal or vegetable matter, trash, rubbish, garbage, rotting lumber, packing material, scrap metal, tires, or any other substances in which flies, mosquitoes, disease, carrying insects, rats, or other vermin can breed, live, nest, or seek shelter.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 28.011(3)(a) declares it a hazard to fail to keep 'waste, refuse, or garbage' enclosed in a building or in a closed container designed for that purpose, and Sec. 28.011(3)(e) separately reaches an 'unreasonable accumulation' of decayed matter, trash, rubbish, garbage, rotting lumber, packing material, scrap metal or tires that lets flies, mosquitoes, disease-carrying insects or rats breed and nest. The general prohibition in Sec. 28.011(1) bars anyone from causing, continuing or permitting any human health hazard and makes the responsible person liable for removal costs and the ordinance's penalty.
Sec. 28.011(2) puts abatement responsibility on the property owner, agent or occupant, shifting it to the owner if a tenant refuses to correct it. Enforcement runs through the Sauk County Health Department under Sec. 28.004, which can investigate, order abatement or prohibit use of the affected property under Sec. 28.013(2). Sec. 28.015(1) requires a written order naming the violation and the correction deadline before penalties attach, and Sec. 28.015(5) lets the health officer obtain a special exception warrant from the Sauk County Circuit Court under Wis.
Stats. § 66.0119 to inspect property when consent to enter is refused. An aggrieved property owner may appeal the health officer's determination under Sauk County Code Chapter 33, per Sec. 28.016, before any forfeiture becomes final.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 28.015(3) authorizes a citation and forfeiture under Chapter 20, a court action for forfeiture or an injunction, or direct county abatement billed to the property's tax roll under Sec. 28.015(4). Sec. 28.015(6) sets the forfeiture at $50.00 to $200.00 per day plus penalty assessments and prosecution costs, with jail possible if the forfeiture goes unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is illegal dumping or trash accumulation regulated in unincorporated Sauk County?
Who enforces it and how?
What's the penalty for not cleaning it up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sauk County
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