Definitions.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 79-1
in effect79-1. Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this subchapter.
1. APPROVED shall mean approved by the commissioner of public works.
2. COMMISSIONER shall mean the commissioner of public works and such supervisory employees of the department to whom his or her authority may be delegated.
2.5. COMPOSTING means the controlled biological reduction of organics to humus.
3. DEPARTMENT shall mean the department of public works.
4. DWELLING UNIT shall mean any habitable room or group of adjoining habitable rooms located within a dwelling and forming a single unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating of meals.
4.3. ELECTRONIC DEVICE has the meaning given in s. 287.17(1)(gm), Wis. Stats.
4.5. EXTRA GARBAGE CART means any city-issued garbage cart in excess of one garbage cart per dwelling unit provided for the collection of solid waste pursuant to s. 79-4-1.3.
5. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE means any substance or combination of substances including any waste of a solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous form which may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness or which may pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical or infectious characteristics. This term includes, but is not limited to, substances which are toxic, corrosive, flammable, irritants, strong sensitizers or explosives.
5.5. LANDFILL MATERIAL means material that is neither recyclable material nor suitable for composting.
6. LIQUID WASTE shall include drain oil, dirty or waste grease, paints, lacquers, varnishes, thinners, cleaning agents or solvents, and other similar waste materials.
7. LITTER shall include any waste or other things, substances or materials such as garbage, rubbish, used tires, manure, stones, gravel, sand, earth, grass, hay, leaves, twigs, shrubs, branches, ashes, cinders, sawdust, sweepings, dirt, glass, earthenware, wire, nails, construction waste, liquid waste, ice, snow, paper, electronic devices, oil filters, oil absorbent materials and all other debris and discarded materials of similar nature.
7.5. MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING means a property containing 5 or more dwelling units, including those which are occupied seasonally.
8. NAUSEOUS OR OFFENSIVE MATERIALS are those which are unwholesome in nature or have an unpleasant smell or are otherwise nauseous or offensive, such as manure, filth, slops, carcasses, carrion, meat, fish, entrails, hides and hide scrapings, paint, kerosene, oily or greasy substances, and also objects that may cause injury to any person or animal, or damage to vehicle tires such as nails, tacks, pieces of metal, wire, briar thorns, broken glass, and other similar materials or substances.
8.5. OIL ABSORBENT MATERIALS means materials that are used to absorb waste oil.
8.7. OIL FILTER means a filter for motor vehicle engine oil.
8.13. WASTE OIL means any petroleum-derived or synthetic oil that has been used or spilled.
9. PERSON includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, local government unit, as defined in s. 66.0131(1)(a), Wis. Stats., or state agency or authority or federal agency.
10. PREMISES shall mean a platted lot or part thereof or unplatted lot or parcel of land or plot of land, either occupied or unoccupied by any dwelling or nondwelling structure.
11. RECYCLABLE MATERIAL has the meaning specified in s. 79-23-23.
11.5. RESIDENTIAL DWELLING means a property containing 4 or fewer dwelling units.
12. SOLID WASTE consists of the following categories:
a. Bulky waste is discarded articles, including, but not limited to, furniture designed or manufactured for indoor use, including, but not limited to, upholstered furniture, that has been left exposed in an outdoor area, including an unenclosed porch. The term does not include electronic devices as defined in sub. 4.3 or major appliances as defined in s. 79-23-10.
b. Commercial waste is garbage, rubbish, tree waste, bulky waste, liquid waste, or nauseous or offensive materials resulting from the operation of business enterprises, including, but not limited to, factories, offices, stores or restaurants.
c. Construction waste is waste resulting from construction, demolition, alteration or repair, including excavated material. This includes, but is not limited to, roofing material, brick, stones, concrete, lumber, drywall, paneling and other construction material and is exclusive of any waste resulting from a fire, any painted bricks, blocks or concrete, any asphalt, or any concrete containing iron rods.
d. Domestic waste is garbage, rubbish, tree waste, or certain liquid waste or nauseous or offensive materials resulting from human habitation and the usual routine of housekeeping of residential or multiple-family dwelling units, churches, charitable educational institutions, charitable organizations or residence buildings used by such charitable organizations incident to their operation.
e. Garbage is all waste, animal, fish, fowl, fruit, or vegetable matter incident to and resulting from the use, preparation or storage of food for human consumption, including spoiled food.
f. Manufacturing waste is waste resulting from manufacturing or industrial processes, but shall not include waste generated by human habitation of the manufacturing or industrial premises.
g. Organics is compostable garbage and yard waste.
h. Rubbish is miscellaneous waste material resulting from housekeeping or ordinary mercantile enterprises, including boxes, cartons, excelsior, paper, ashes, cinders, tin cans, bottles, broken glass, metals, rubber, packaging, including flexible packaging or multi-layer containers, plastics, lawn or garden waste or similar materials.
i. Tree Waste is domestic or commercial waste resulting from the removal, pruning or trimming of trees, including branches, limbs, trunks and stumps having a diameter of greater than 6 inches.
j. Yard waste is leaves, grass clippings, garden debris and brush. Brush includes branches and tree limbs having a diameter of less than 6 inches.
13. WASTE TIRE means a tire that is no longer suitable for its original purpose because of wear, damage or defect.
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=1Fetched: 10/26/2026