Vacant Lots to be Cleaned.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 116-15
in effect116-15. Vacant Lots to be Cleaned.
1. OWNER TO BE NOTIFIED. Whenever an unoccupied or partially unoccupied lot or parcel of land in the city has been left in an unsafe or unsightly condition, or both, because of debris, unsightly materials, or surface irregularities, or unprotected or unfinished excavations, it shall be the duty of the commissioner of public works to notify the owner or person in charge in writing, to clean up and, if necessary, protect the premises. The time in which the owner or person in charge must comply with the aforementioned order shall be in the discretion of the commissioner of public works, but the time given in such order shall not be less than 3 days, nor more than 30 days. In the event such order is not complied with, the commissioner of public works may proceed to clear the premises and assess the cost thereof in the manner provided in s. 11.28 of the city charter against the premises in the manner in which similar assessments are made.
2. PENALTY. Any person, firm or corporation found guilty of violating this section, or who shall fail, omit, neglect or refuse to obey any of the provisions of this section, or any order promulgated therein by the commissioner, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $1 nor more than $100, together with the costs of such action, and every person, firm or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day of such violation, omission, guilt or refusal; provided, however, that such accumulated penalties recoverable in any one action shall not exceed the sum of $1,000, exclusive of the assessment hereinabove referred to.
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/CH116.pdf#page=3Fetched: 10/26/2026