Vehicle Identification Numbers.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 101-24.5
in effect101-24.5. Vehicle Identification Numbers.
1. DEFINITION. In this section:
a. “Chief of police” means the police chief or any employee of the police department acting on the chief’s behalf.
b. “Commissioner of public works” means the commissioner of public works or any employee of the department of public works acting on the commissioner’s behalf.
c. “Identification number” means the numbers, letters or combination of numbers and letters assigned by the manufacturer of a vehicle or vehicle part or by the Wisconsin department of transportation and stamped upon or affixed to a vehicle or vehicle part for the purpose of identification. This term does not include the letters, numbers or combination thereof on vehicle license plates.
d. “Owner” shall include the lessee of a vehicle if the vehicle is registered or required to be registered by the lessee pursuant to ch. 341, Wis. Stats.
2. PROHIBITED.
a. No person may remove, alter or obliterate an identification number.
b. No person may make it impossible to read a motor vehicle’s identification number from outside the vehicle.
3. REMOVAL OF VEHICLE. If the chief of police or commissioner of public works finds, on any alley, street, highway or public place within the city, any vehicle on which the identification number has been removed, altered, obliterated or made impossible to read, including any vehicle on which the identification number is not readily visible when observed from outside the vehicle, the chief or commissioner may have the vehicle immediately removed to a suitable place of impoundment. If the identification number cannot be identified, the impounded vehicle shall be presumed to be contraband. If the identification number can be identified, a notice informing the registered owner of the location of the vehicle, the procedure for reclaiming the vehicle and the availability of an informal hearing before the city attorney shall be sent to the registered owner’s last known address as registered by the owner with the state department of motor vehicles within 72 hours after removal.
4. DISPOSAL OF UNCLAIMED VEHICLES. As soon as practical after removal and impoundment of a vehicle under sub. 3, a duly authorized representative of the commissioner of public works shall appraise the value of such motor vehicle based on the prevailing market. Such vehicle shall be disposed of according to s. 105-65.
5. OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS. The owner of any motor vehicle on which the identification number has been removed, altered, obliterated or made impossible to read, or is not readily visible from outside the vehicle, is responsible for all costs of impounding and disposing of the vehicle. Costs not recovered from the sale of the motor vehicle may be recovered in a civil action by the city against the owner.
6. RELEASE OF VEHICLE; CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding sub. 4, the owner of a vehicle that is impounded under this section may secure release of the vehicle by doing all of the following:
a. Paying any forfeiture imposed for violation of this section established pursuant to s.101-34 and the reasonable costs of impounding the motor vehicle.
b. Providing satisfactory evidence that the motor vehicle is currently registered in the state of Wisconsin or that, at the time of impoundment, a complete application for registration of the vehicle, including evidence of inspection under s. 110.20, Wis. Stats., when required, accompanied by the required fee had been delivered to the Wisconsin department of transportation or deposited in the mail properly addressed with prepaid postage, or the vehicle is exempt from registration under ch. 341, Wis. Stats.
c. Providing a current, valid driver’s license and current certificate of title for the vehicle. If the vehicle’s owner does not have a valid driver’s license, the vehicle may be released to another person with a valid driver’s license provided the licensed individual is accompanied by the vehicle’s owner or can present a signed affidavit from the vehicle’s owner authorizing the vehicle’s release to the licensed individual.
d. If the vehicle’s identification number was removed, altered, obliterated or otherwise made impossible to read, even from inside the vehicle, providing satisfactory evidence that an application to replace the identification number has been made to the Wisconsin department of transportation pursuant to s. 342.30(1m), Wis. Stats.
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/CH101.pdf#page=21Fetched: 10/26/2026