Basements.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 252-70
in effect252-70. Basements.
1. GENERAL REQUIRE-MENT. Any building or structure or part thereof hereafter erected, or any existing building or structure or part thereof shall have underneath such floors either a basement or open space for the entire area of the building or structure, or in lieu thereof, a floor of damp-proof construction.
2. HEIGHT OF BASEMENT. Basement ceiling heights, measured from the top of the basement floor to the bottom of the floor joists, shall be not less than 7 feet; except that for buildings regulated in ch. 257, such height shall be 6 feet 10 inches.
3. OPEN SPACES. All buildings or structures hereafter erected without a basement, or not provided with a damp-proof floor, shall be provided with a ventilated open space conforming to the following:
a. The ground level shall be at least 2 feet below any part of the wood or metal floor construction.
b. In such space all debris, sod, tree stumps and other inorganic material shall be removed and a smooth surface free of pockets shall be provided.
c. Where the ground level in such space is below the outside established grade, approved means to assure drainage at all times shall be provided.
d. When one side of such space, exclusive of structural supports, is open to a ventilated basement, foundation wall vents shall not be required, provided the total area of ventilating openings in the exterior walls of the basement is at least 2% of the combined area of the basement and open space.
e. Where such space is not open to ventilated basement, as regulated in par. d, either:
e-1. At least 4 foundation wall vents shall be provided and located near the corners of such space, having an aggregate free ventilating area equal to 2 square feet per 100 lineal feet of wall enclosing such space plus 1/300 of the ground area of such space; or
e-2. Ground surface treatment in the form of a layer of a minimum of 5 mil. polyurethane or equivalent lapped a minimum of one foot and covered with at least 2 inches of stone plus at least 2 foundation wall vents located for effective cross-ventilation.
f. In each vent opening regulated in par. e, corrosion-resistant screening having a mesh of not less than 8 per inch shall be installed.
4. DAMP-PROOF FLOORS. In all buildings and structures hereafter erected where the lowest or first floor rests directly on the ground, a damp-proof floor shall be provided. In this subsection "damp-proof floor" means a floor construction so erected with a vapor barrier of at least 5 mil. polyurethane or equivalent and lapped at least one foot over which a minimum thickness of 3 inches of concrete shall be spread. Care shall be taken that the vapor barrier used is not pierced during concrete pouring.
5. BASEMENT WALLS. Masonry foundation walls of basements shall be made waterproof by application of a continuous coat of cement mortar at least 1/2 inch in thickness, from the footings to the adjoining finished established grade or lot grade. A heavy coat of undiluted hot tar, hot asphalt or other approved waterproof material shall be applied to foundation walls. Any other method of waterproofing which will assure a damp-proof basement will be accepted if approved by the commissioner.
6. DRAIN TILE. All foundation walls of basements of structures regulated in chs. 240 and 257 shall have drain tiles on each side of such walls. Bleeder tiles shall be placed in foundation footings spaced no farther than 8 feet on center. Drain tile will not be required if engineering data is supplied showing that drain tile is not required. Drain tile placed under the basement floors and around the exterior foundation wall and footings of a building or structure shall be of the approved type, not less than 3 inches in diameter, and shall be covered with crushed rock or washed stone.
7. BASEMENT FLOORS. Basement floors shall be constructed of concrete and shall be designed to withstand the anticipated live load; however, in no case shall the floor be less than 3 inches in depth. The floor shall be pitched to provide positive drainage to the floor drain.
8. FOUNDATION REPAIRS AND DAMP-PROOFING. All foundation repairs and damp-proofing shall be done as provided in s.240-23.
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-2/CH252.pdf#page=2Fetched: 10/26/2026