Procedure for payment of withheld funds
Wis. Stat. § 632.103
in effect(1) Release to 1st class city.
(a) To qualify for reimbursement of expenses under sub. (2), the 1st class city must do any of the following:
1. Commence proceedings under s. 66.0413, 254.595 or 823.04 or under a local ordinance relating to demolition or abatement of nuisances, with respect to the building or other structure for which the funds are withheld.
2. Obtain a release signed by the named insured consenting to demolition of the building or other structure with respect to which the funds are withheld.
(b) The 1st class city shall commence proceedings under par. (a) 1. or obtain the release under par. (a) 2. after the occurrence of the loss to the building or other structure by fire or explosion but within 90 days after delivery of the notice of withholding under s. 632.102 (3).
(c) When proceedings described in par. (a) 1. are commenced, the 1st class city shall notify, in writing, the insurer, the named insured and any mortgagee or other lienholder identified in the notice of withholding under s. 632.102 (3) (b) 2. that the proceedings are commenced.
(d) The 1st class city shall release all interest in the amount withheld under s. 632.102 (2) and the insurer shall promptly pay that amount to the named insured and other interests named in the policy if any of the following occurs:
1. The 1st class city fails to commence proceedings described in par. (a) 1. or obtain a release described in par. (a) 2. within the period provided in par. (b).
2. The 1st class city fails to notify the insurer as provided in par. (c).
(2) Reimbursement of expenses.
(a) If the 1st class city satisfies sub. (1) (a) and (b) and, if applicable, notifies the insurer as required in sub. (1) (c), the insurer shall promptly upon receiving the statement under par. (b) deliver to the 1st class city funds withheld from the named insured’s final settlement under s. 632.102 (2), to the extent necessary to reimburse the 1st class city for any of the following expenses:
1. Costs incurred in the course of enforcing ss. 66.0413 and 66.0427 or a local ordinance relating to demolition, with respect to the building or other structure for which the funds are withheld.
2. Costs incurred in acting in accordance with a release signed by the named insured consenting to demolition of the building or other structure with respect to which the funds are withheld.
3. Costs incurred in abating a public nuisance under s. 254.595 or 823.04 or under a local ordinance relating to abating a public nuisance, with respect to the building or other structure for which the funds are withheld.
4. Reasonable administrative expenses incurred in connection with activities described in subds. 1. to 3., including but not limited to expenses for inspection, clerical, supervisory and attorney services.
(b) The insurer may not release any withheld funds to the 1st class city under par. (a) unless the 1st class city delivers to the insurer and the named insured an itemized statement of the actual costs incurred under par. (a) 1. to 4.
(c) The insurer shall promptly deliver to the named insured and other interests named in the policy any portion of the withheld funds that are not released to the 1st class city under par. (a).
(3) Release to named insured. Except as provided in sub. (2), the insurer shall promptly deliver to the named insured and other interests named in the policy the funds withheld from the named insured’s final settlement under s. 632.102 (2) if the 1st class city delivers a notice to the insurer that the building inspection official of the 1st class city, or other person who is authorized by the 1st class city’s governing body to represent the 1st class city, has inspected the insured real property and verifies any of the following:
(a) That the damaged or destroyed portions of the building or other structure with respect to which the funds are withheld have been repaired or replaced in compliance with applicable building and safety standards, except to the extent that the withheld funds are needed to complete repair or replacement.
(b) That the damaged or destroyed building or other structure with respect to which the funds are withheld and all remnants of the building or other structure have been removed from the land on which the building or other structure was situated and the site has been restored to a dust-free and erosion-free condition in compliance with applicable building and safety standards.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/632.103Fetched: 10/7/2026