Uniform Numbering System.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 113-1
in effect113-1. Uniform Numbering System.
1. BASE LINES. There is established a uniform numbering system of numbering all houses and buildings fronting on all streets, avenues and highways in the city of Milwaukee. In establishing said system, N. First Street, the Milwaukee River and S. First Street and S. Chase Avenue shall constitute the north and south base line and the Milwaukee River to the Menomonee Canal and the section line in W. Canal Street from the South Menomonee Canal to the west city limits shall constitute the east and west base line.
2. HOUSE NUMBERING. Numbers on all houses and buildings running east and west or north and south from said base lines shall be extended each way, upon the basis of one number for each 15 feet of property frontage, wherever possible, starting at the base line with the number 100 and continuing with consecutive hundreds at each intersection, wherever possible. All even numbers shall be placed upon houses and buildings on the north and east side of said streets, avenues and highways and all odd numbers upon houses and buildings on the south and west side of said streets, avenues and highways.
3. DEFINITION OF STREET. For the purpose of interpretation, application and enforcement of this section and s. 113-2, the term street shall include any private street or way open to public use.
4. STREET NAMES. Before house numbers can be assigned to houses or buildings fronting on private rights-of-way, a street name must be established by the common council. This name shall conform to the existing street names in the area, wherever possible. The owners of the street must supply the city with a legal description of the private street to be named and must place street name signs in a conspicuous place adjacent to the roadway to properly identify the approved street name.
5. PRIVATE ROAD SIGNS. The owner must place street name signs in a conspicuous place adjacent to the roadway to properly identify the approved street name. This sign shall be on brown background with white reflective letters or internally illuminated. It shall be double-faced, a 9 inch blank, with 4 inch letters and shall include the phrase "private road" in 2 inch letters in parenthesis.
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/CH113.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/26/2026