Excavating Methods and Regulations.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 115-8
in effect115-8. Excavating Methods and Regulations.
1. REQUIRED. When it is necessary to excavate in public ways and public places for an installation, the method shall be as prescribed in this section.
2. EXCAVATING METHOD. The excavation shall be of sufficient width and depth to permit the installation, special care being used to avoid damaging existing structures and/or facilities. The work is to be done in compliance with the rules and requirements prescribed by the commissioner.
3. BACKFILLING OF EXCAVATIONS. Backfilling of excavations in public ways and public places shall be done in accordance with the current specifications on file in the office of the commissioner. Whenever any person shall fail to comply with said specifications, the commissioner is authorized and directed to order the permittee to re-excavate and backfill in accordance with said specifications. If the permittee fails to comply with such order within the time set forth in the order, the commissioner shall cause the same to be done and charge the cost thereof to the permittee.
4. OBSTRUCTIONS. Whenever any underground structures and/or facilities are encountered, the work is to be conducted so as not to disturb them, except where the contract specification requires that they be removed or relocated. Such structures and/or facilities which are not to be removed or relocated shall be protected and supported in accordance with the current specifications on file in the office of the commissioner and all other applicable laws.
5. DAMAGE TO UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES. Whenever any permittee, his agents, employees or subcontractors shall damage any underground structure and/or facility, the permittee shall notify the owner of such structure and/or facility immediately, and shall report the same to the owner in writing within 24 hours thereafter. If the owner is the city, such notice and report shall be made to the commissioner.
6. RESTORATION OF PAVEMENTS. Restoration of all types of pavements in any public way or public place shall be done in accordance with the current rules, regulations or specifications on file in the office of the commissioner, or in accordance with the specifications of any contractual agreement entered into with the city.
7. REMOVAL OF REFUSE. All refuse, excess dirt and material shall be removed from the public way or public place as the work progresses or immediately upon its completion where placing of such material on public ways or public places is permitted.
8. SIGNAGE. The permittee shall be required, prior to the start of construction until construction is completed, to prominently display an informational sign at a construction site in the public way. The sign will provide the nature of the construction; the contractor’s name and phone number, and a city of Milwaukee contact Work On Public Ways
phone number. Signage shall conform to and be placed in accordance with the current rules and specification on file in the office of the commissioner.
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/CH115.pdf#page=7Fetched: 10/26/2026