Conduit System Occupancy Fees.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 98-15
in effect98-15. Conduit System Occupancy Fees.
1. A use and occupancy fee shall be paid on a per-linear-foot basis on the share of occupiable space, according to the following use classes:
a. CLASS 1: The minimum fee for conduit occupancy shall be:
a-1. $2.15 per foot per year for occupancy of up to one-third of the occupiable space.
a-2. $2.48 per foot per year for occupancy of more than one-third but less than two-thirds of the occupiable space.
a-3. $2.81 per foot per year for occupancy of two-thirds or more of the occupiable space.
b. CLASS 2: The minimum fee for conduit duct occupancy for transmission facilities within any conduit duct that crosses under any river, railroad, freeway or other obstruction or is attached to a bridge, with measurement of such class 2 conduit occupancy being made from manhole to manhole on each side of the river or other obstruction, shall be as follows:
b-1. $8,250 for up to one-third of the occupiable space plus $16.50 per foot per year for the first 200 feet, then $8.25 per foot per year for the next 300 feet, then $2.20 per foot per year for any additional linear footage.
b-2. $16,500 for up to two-thirds of the occupiable space plus $22 per foot per year for the first 200 feet, then $11 per foot per year for the next 300 feet, then $2.75 per foot per year for any additional linear footage.
b-3. $19,250 for two-thirds or more of the occupiable space plus $27.50 per foot per year for the first 200 feet, then $13.75 per foot per year for the next 300 feet, then $3.30 per foot per year for any additional linear footage.
2. Class 1 occupancy fees shall not be applicable to any transmission facilities within any portion of the conduit system that is identified in sub. 1-b.
3. The occupancy fee shall be paid to the city on January 31 and July 31 of each calendar year in advance for the succeeding 6-month period. The fee shall be based upon the total linear distance of conduit then used or occupied with a back payment, prorated on a daily basis, made for conduit used or occupied since the last billing period. No new conduit occupancy permit shall be issued under s. 98-21 if there is any outstanding balance on conduit occupancy fees. Unpaid conduit occupancy bill balances shall incur a 1% monthly charge and any bill outstanding after 90 days shall be referred to an authorized party for collection.
4. Beginning January 1, 2027, the fees specified in sub. 1 shall be subject to an annual inflationary adjustment. This adjustment shall occur on the first calendar day of each subsequent year based on the prior year’s consumer price index, Midwest region, issued by the U.S. bureau of labor statistics.
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/CH98.pdf#page=3Fetched: 10/26/2026