Waste Containers Required.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 79-3
in effect79-3. Waste Containers Required.
1. RESIDENTIAL PREMISES. Containers as specified under s. 79-4 or as otherwise approved by the commissioner shall be provided by the owner for each dwelling unit. Containers shall be kept clean and maintained in good repair and shall be free and fully accessible at all times for handling for collection. Sufficient containers for not less than 2 weeks' accumulation shall be required for each dwelling unit. For purposes of this section, the minimum of containers shall be determined on the basis of one can for each resident person in the dwelling unit.
2. NUISANCE ABATEMENT. Where a nuisance is found to exist due to insufficient containers, an order shall be directed to the property owner, where practical, to furnish sufficient approved containers as required in this section. Except for receptacles required in sub. 4-a-1 where the owner fails to provide such containers or where it is impractical to serve such an order, the city shall furnish the required containers and assess the cost thereof as a lien upon the lot or premises involved in the same manner as any tax on real estate.
3. FOR COMMERCIAL OFF-STREET PARKING AREAS. Owners or operators of commercial or business establishments which have off-street parking areas available for their patrons shall provide approved waste receptacles in such parking areas for the use of patrons of such establishments sufficient to receive and store solid waste discarded by such patrons; such receptacles to be serviced by said owners or operators or their private hauler.
4. FOR COMMERCIAL AREAS.
a-1. Receptacles Required. Containers as specified under s. 79-4 or as otherwise approved by the commissioner shall be provided by the property owner or operator. Containers shall be maintained in good repair. Sufficient containers for not less than 2 weeks' accumulation shall be required for the property or business, and collection shall be made at least weekly unless arrangements are made for more frequent collection as required by the department. The property owner or operator shall ensure the waste is removed by a private entity.
a-2. Receptacles to be Secured. The owners or operators of shopping centers, commercial or business establishments are to secure all of their solid waste receptacles not meant for public or their patrons' use and which are located on their premises but outside of any building. If such solid waste receptacles are not secured, the owners or operators of such shopping centers, commercial or business establishments shall provide enclosures constructed so as to prevent ready access to such receptacles. Such enclosures located on the property shall further be constructed so that they shall provide a compatible and practical arrangement on the premises and surrounding area.
a-3. Receptacle Lids to be Closed. The owners or operators of shopping centers, commercial or business establishments are to ensure that the lids of solid waste containers are kept closed and that garbage remains inside the containers and does not overflow the containers. A property owner who permits a quantity of garbage on their property that exceeds the space available in their waste container or containers shall acquire additional receptacles or increase the frequency of garbage collection, or shall be subject to the penalties of s. 79-16.
b. Large Appliances to be Enclosed. Owners or operators of business and commercial establishments storing large appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washing machines and other similar items outside of the building structure, shall provide enclosures of the area wherein such items are stored in the same manner and as provided in par a.
c. Definitions. For the purpose of subs. 3 and 4, the following terms therein are defined as follows:
c-1. "Approved waste receptacles" shall mean those as provided and defined in s. 79-4.
c-2. "Secure "shall mean to be locked or closed in such a manner so as to prevent ready access to contents thereof.
c-3. "Shopping center" shall mean a group of commercial establishments planned and developed generally as a unit with off-street parking facilities provided on the property for patrons of said establishments.
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/CH79.pdf#page=4Fetched: 10/26/2026