Selling Articles from Parked Vehicles.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 115-45
in effect115-45. Selling Articles from Parked Vehicles.
1. REGULATIONS. a. Findings. To help protect the safety of pedestrians and drivers, to help relieve traffic congestion on certain public highways and sidewalks within the city and to provide for the freer flow of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, on such highways and sidewalks, it is declared to be unlawful for any operator to park any vehicle on any public highway or sidewalk enumerated specifically or by area or classification in this section during the periods specified, or on any public highway or sidewalk within 300 feet thereof, during such periods for the purpose of offering for sale or selling any articles of any nature whatsoever in a public manner from such vehicle.
b. Specific Streets and Highways Where Selling Prohibited. The public highways, sidewalks and areas to which this section applies may be found in the common council proceedings, the official record on file in the city clerk's office, and the code on file in the legislative reference bureau.
c. Exemption. At a special event for which the department of public works has issued a special event permit, a vendor who has been granted permission by the organizers of the event to sell articles on the public highway or sidewalk encompassed by the footprint of the event shall be exempt from the regulations of this subsection for the duration of the event.
2. LOCATIONS WHERE SELLING PROHIBITED. a. Near Schools or Residences
a-1. Within 300 feet of any entrance to any grade, junior high or high school or combination thereof while such school is open to students.
a-2. Adjacent to blocks containing residential premises; provided, however, that vehicles shall not be considered in violation of this provision if:
a-2-a. They stop for no more than 2 hours in any single block and such stops are otherwise in compliance with posted time limits and are separated by a 6 hour period, nor
a-2-b. If special permission is granted (which special permission shall not be unreasonably withheld) in writing for a specified vehicle for a specific location, date and time period by the public safety and health committee of the common council.
b. From the Median or Safety Island. Except when the roadway has been closed to traffic by common council resolution and the vehicle is otherwise in compliance with this section.
c. Near Restaurants.
c-1. Within 50 feet of a restaurant without drive-through facility, as defined in s. 295-201-501.
c-2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subd. 1 may be waived by the common council.
3. TIMES WHEN SELLING PROHIBITED. a. The sale of items from parked vehicles shall be prohibited as follows:
a-1. Between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.
a-2. Between the hours of 3:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
a-3. As established by a plan of operation approved by the common council.
b. This prohibition shall not apply on January 1, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the 3rd and 4th of July, Labor Day, on city streets adjacent to State Fair Park during the run of the Wisconsin State Fair or during any other specific dates specified by the common council by resolution.
4. PENALTY. Any person violating this section shall upon conviction forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $500 and in default of payment shall be imprisoned as provided by law.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-1/CH115.pdf#page=28Fetched: 10/26/2026