Turf Grass and Weeds.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 80-17
in effect80-17. Turf Grass and Weeds.
1. DEFINITION. In this section, “Turf grass” means annual bluegrass, annual ryegrass, bahiagrass, bermudagrass, buffalograss, carpetgrass, centipedegrass, colonial bentgrass, creeping bentgrass, fine fescue, hybrid bermudagrass, kentucky bluegrass, kikuyugrass, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, quackgrass, rough bluegrass, seashore paspalum, St. Augustinegrass, tall fescue and zoysiagrass.
2. TO BE CUT. a. No turf grass or weeds of any kind shall be permitted to grow or stand more than 7 inches on any property in the city.
b. The city shall enforce par. a year-round.
2.5. EXCEPTIONS. a. “No mow May.” The provisions of sub. 2 shall not apply during the month of May for any property owner participating in “no mow May.” A participating property owner shall provide signage identifying the property as a “no mow May” participant. Signage shall be displayed in a manner and location so as to be easily visible from the public sidewalk or roadway abutting the property.
b. Native Plantings. The provisions of sub. 2 shall not apply to native plant landscaping, provided:
b-1. The plants used in the landscaping are native to, or cultivars of plants that are native to, the midwestern United States.
b-2. The landscaping is done intentionally as part of a deliberate design.
b-3. The landscaping is free of invasive or noxious weeds in accordance with s. NR 40.05, Wis. Adm. Code.
b-4. The landscaping does not encroach on or obstruct the visibility of any sidewalk or other public right-of-way.
b-5. The property owner completes an annual registration identifying the landscaping as an exempt native planting.
3. BY OWNER OR OCCUPANT. It shall be the duty of the owner and the tenant, or occupant of any leased or occupied premises, and the duty of the owner of any vacant or unoccupied premises within the city to comply with this section both as to the premises owned or occupied and as to public sidewalks on which such premises abut.
4. BY FRANCHISE HOLDER. It shall be the duty of every holder or owner of a public franchise to comply with this section as to portion of highways in the city which such holder or owner is required to keep in repair.
5. BY AGENT OR EMPLOYEE. It shall be the duty of every agent or employee in charge of any premises in the city to comply with the provisions of this section as to premises in his charge.
6. CHARGES AND COSTS. a. Any person who fails to cut turf grasses or weeds as required in sub. 2 shall be subject to a special charge of $75 for a first violation in a calendar year, if the violation is not abated within 72 hours of initial inspection and photographic verification by the department.
b. The amount of the special charge for any second and each subsequent violation in the same calendar year shall increase by $125 from the amount of the special charge imposed for the previous violation, not to exceed $750 for 6 or more violations in the same calendar year, and shall be assessed upon initial inspection and photographic verification by the department.
c. There shall be an additional special charge of $100 for failure to mow or otherwise abate any condition that remains in violation of this section. Upon a subsequent failure to comply with this section in the same calendar year, the person shall be subject to a special charge of $150.
d. Any costs incurred by the city in abatement or remediation shall constitute additional special charges.
e. Special charges made under this subsection shall be due and payable 30 days after billing or, if not paid within that time, become a lien on the subject property as provided in s. 66.0627, Wis. Stats. The lien shall take effect as of the date of delinquency and shall include an administrative charge of $25. The lien shall automatically be extended upon the current or next tax roll as a delinquent tax against the property, and all proceedings in relation to the collection, return and sale of the property for delinquent real estate taxes shall apply to such charge.
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/CH80.pdf#page=11Fetched: 10/26/2026