Permissible Projections and Encroachments.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 245-4
in effect245-4. Permissible Projections and Encroachments.
Projections and encroachments beyond the street line other than those listed in this section may be permitted by special privilege granted by the common council under s. 245-12. Under the conditions prescribed in this chapter and within the Special Privileges limitations regulated herein, the following projections and encroachments beyond a street line are permitted:
1.
Main cornices or roof eaves projecting not more than 3 feet, provided they are a minimum of 14 feet above the adjacent established grade.
2.
Cornices of porches and false mansard-type structures projecting not more than 15 inches, provided they are a minimum of 10 feet above the adjacent established grade.
3.
Pediments, nonstructural columns or pilasters, and similar architectural projections, including bases and capitals, projecting not more than 8 inches.
4.
Masonry projections, including but not limited to quoins, belt courses, lintels, sills, base courses and rustications, projecting not more than 4 inches.
5.
Footings or walls and their supports at street lines projecting not more than one foot, provided the tops of the footings are a minimum of 4 feet below the adjacent established grade. Projections beyond the one-foot line shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of public works.
6.
Emergency exit doors, when open, projecting not more than 48 inches into an alley. All other doors when open may project not more than 36 inches.
7.
Fire escapes and balconies to smoke-proof stair towers or horizontal exits projecting not more than 7 feet. All other balconies may project not more than 6 feet. Fire escapes and balconies shall be a minimum of 10 feet above the adjacent established street walk grade and 14 feet above alley grade.
8.
Oriel or bay windows projecting not more than 24 inches, provided that the lowest portion of the window is a minimum of 10 feet above the adjacent established grade. No oriel or bay window that projects into a public right-of-way shall exceed 10 feet in width. Oriel and bay windows shall not be permitted to project into a public right-of-way which is less than 30 feet in width.
9.
Exterior hose connections for fire protection equipment, in approved locations, projecting not more than 8 inches, provided that such connections are a minimum of 1 1/2 feet but not more than 3 feet above the adjacent established grade.
10.
Street walk basements or sidewalk vaults when constructed and located as regulated in s. 245-5.
11.
Movable awnings when constructed and located as regulated in s. 245-6.
12.
Awnings, canopies and sunshades when constructed and located as regulated in s. 245-7.
13.
Fixed awnings in the Historic Third Ward projecting beyond the street line under s. 245-7-9.
14.
Marquees when constructed and located as regulated in s. 245-10.
15.
Remodeled building facades encroaching a maximum of 6 inches.
16.
Temporary encroachments and use of public thoroughfares during erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, renovation, moving, removing or demolition of buildings and structures when in compliance with the regulations of ch. 228 and s. 245-11.
17.
Signs or advertising devices when constructed as regulated in ch. 244.
18.
Roof gutters and conductors projecting not more than 8 inches into a public alley. Roof gutters and conductors may not project into a public street.
19.
The cutting of street curbs, the installation of driveways and any construction therewith, when in conformity with rules and regulations of the commissioner of public works and permitted by the commissioner of public works.
20.
Electrical or gas lighting fixtures attached to the exterior walls of buildings or structures, in approved locations, projecting not more than one foot, provided that the lowest portion of the fixture is a minimum of 7 feet but not more than 10 feet above the adjacent established grade. The fixtures, when more than 10 feet above grade, may extend 5 feet into the public right-of-way and shall be a minimum of 14 feet above grade when projecting into an alley.
21.
Security cameras attached to the exterior walls of buildings or structures projecting not more than 5 feet into the public right-of-way, provided they are greater than 10 feet above the adjacent established grade. The fixtures shall be a minimum of 14 feet above grade when projecting into an alley.
22.
Sewer sampling manholes, catch basins, water meter pits, sprinkler pits and similar underground structures when in compliance with s. 245-5.
23.
Monitoring wells when associated with a remediation project recognized by the state of Wisconsin.
24.
Flagpoles for the flying of federal, state, county or municipal flags only, attached to the exterior walls of buildings or structures, projecting a distance not closer than 3 feet from the curb line, provided the flag and pole have at least 8 feet clearance above the street walk.
25.
Permissible projections, obstructions and encroachments as provided by s. 115-32.
26.
Items installed in the public right-of-way as part of a streetscape for which a maintenance agreement, approved by the common council, has been fully executed.
27.
Projections and encroachments for one- and 2-family residential properties as provided in s. 245-4.5.
28.
Decorative landscaping edging in the public right-of-way as regulated in s. 116-54.
29.
Approved appliances and devices used in connection with equipment not otherwise regulated herein, in approved locations, projecting not more than one foot, provided the lowest portion thereof is a minimum of 10 feet above the adjacent established grade.
30.
Encroachments to create accessible entrances as provided in s. 245-4.7
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-2/CH245.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/26/2026