Capital Improvement Special Assessments

Please call (414)286-3316 before sending in your check for capital improvement special assessments!

The Common Council of the City of Milwaukee approves projects for the improvement of streets, alleys and public walks each year. A portion of the total construction cost is assessed to the abutting property owners. The balance of the costs is covered by general city funds budgeted for public improvements. The first time installation of sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water mains are assessable to abutting properties. Building sewer and water laterals and special street lighting (i.e. harp lighting) are typically funded entirely by the abutting property owners.

The information provided on this site is limited to contemplated street and alley paving, sidewalk repair, sewer, water, lateral and special lighting assessments. For other information, please contact the appropriate department.

An estimated assessment in whole dollars, based upon proposed work, is herein provided for each property affected by approved projects. Upon completion of the special improvement project, a final bill is generated using actual quantities for the various types of work undertaken abutting each property. At that time the final billing amount is posted to this site with a billing date. Once the billing date has passed, the contemplated Special Assessment will no longer appear on this site. The Office of the City Treasurer should be contacted for payoff amounts.

Police-Ordered Board-ups

In accordance with City of Milwaukee Ordinance No. 218-7, the Milwaukee Police Department may order a premises boarded up. An owner of a boarded-up property has thirty (30) days from date of notice to appeal the necessity of and/or the amount of the special charge to the Administrative Review Appeals Board under the provisions of City Ordinance Section 309-72. Upon the expiration of the appeal period or the affirmation of the charge by the Administrative Review Appeals Board, the charged amount shall be due. Failure to pay for the special charge shall result in the charge being placed on the property's tax statement for next year.

For more information call (414) 286-3315, write or visit us at
841 N. Broadway
Room 519
Milwaukee, WI 53202
8:00am to 4:30pm Monday - Friday

Tree Encroachments

Sections 116-55 and 116-56 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances state that the commissioner of Public Works is authorized to notify the property owner to trim tree(s) and/or shrub(s) that interfere with vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic or encroach upon the public right of way. Plant material encroaching any part of the public right of way will be pruned or removed at least to the edge of the alley, street, or sidewalk where the encroachment exists. If such tree(s) and/or shrub(s) are not trimmed within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice, the Commissioner may cause the branches of such tree(s) and/or shrub(s) to be trimmed and charge the cost of the work, plus a $50 administrative and inspection fee, against the property owner with special assessment. Charges not paid within 45 days of billing will be assessed against the property owner in accordance with section 116-56 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. This charge may be appealed through the Administrative Review Appeals Board, 200 East Wells Street, Room 205, within five (5) days of notice.

Weed Removals

Section 80-17 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances states that "no weeds of any kind shall be permitted to grow or stand more than 9 inches on any property in the city." By state law, written notification to property owners/tenants in violation of this ordinance is not required. As a courtesy, a Weed Destruction Notice is posted on the property (unless that property is a vacant lot) for compliance. If such weeds are not cut within three (3) days of the courtesy posting, the Commissioner of Public Works may cause the weeds to be cut and shall charge the cost of the work, plus a $50 administrative and inspection fee, against the property owner (subsequent violations include a $75 special charge). Charges not paid within 45 days of billing will be assessed against the property owner in accordance with section 80-17 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. This charge may be appealed through the Administrative Review Appeals Board, 200 East Wells Street, Room 205, within thirty (30) days of notice (there is a $25 filing fee for all appeals).

Skid Referral / Bulky Waste Collection

Section 79-6.5-3c1 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances states bulky waste exceeding one cubic yard shall be tagged by the Commissioner of Public Works. The City of Milwaukee will remove the bulky waste and charge the owner for the collection (the charge is $50 (+ $10 late fee if not paid within 30 days of bill)).

All Skid Referral Charges not paid within 30 days of billing will incur an additional $10 administrative fee and the total amount due will be added to the current property tax bill as a Special Assessment.

Include the Assessment ID and tax key on the check:

Payable to: CITY OF MILWAUKEE
Mail to: DPW Sanitation
841 N Broadway Rm 620
Milwaukee WI 53202

All Skid Referrals may be appealed within 30 days of the invoice letter through the Administrative Review Appeals Board (ARAB). To request an appeal application, call the City Clerk’s office at 414 286-2221. The appeal application is also available online at http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/CityClerksOffice301.htm The appeal application and the $25 appeal filing fee can be returned to the Administrative Review Appeals Board, 200 E Wells St, Rm 205, Milwaukee WI 53202.

To request a copy of the invoice letter or to speak with someone regarding the charge, call 414 286-CITY and your call will be transferred to the appropriate person.

Snow Removal

Section 116-8 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances states that snow and ice must be removed or prevented from posing a hazard on sidewalks within twenty-four hours after the snow and ice has ceased to fall. If the property owner does not comply with this ordinance, the City of Milwaukee will perform the work and charge the property owner for providing the service.

Charges not paid to the City within 45 days of billing will be added to the property tax bill.

All Snow Removal Charges may be appealed within 30 days of the invoice letter through the Administrative Review Appeals Board (ARAB). To request an appeal application, call the City Clerk's office at 414 286-2221. The appeal application is also available online at http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/CityClerksOffice301.htm. The appeal application and the $25 appeal filing fee can be returned to the Administrative Review Appeals Board, 200 E Wells St, Room 205, Milwaukee WI 53202.

To request a copy of the invoice letter or to speak with someone regarding the charge, call 414 286-CITY and your call will be transferred to the appropriate person.

* Sidewalk Snow Hardships are also displayed under the Snow Removal Assessment Type. Hardships are only offered to physically disabled property owners that reside in the single family home they own and no one living in the home is physically able to shovel. The City plows the public sidewalk only and only plows after a city-wide street plowing operation. The charge is $10.00 for each time the public sidewalk is plowed and is added to the property tax bill. The property owner's application must be approved before the sidewalk is cleared as a hardship. Applications can be requested by calling 414 286-2489.

Hazardous Trees

Section 116-53 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances states that "The planting, preserving and maintaining of trees which are injurious and detrimental to the community, and all such trees as may be liable to fall upon any sidewalk, street or building, or which are hazardous or may result in injury to person or property because of a defective or diseased condition, or contagiously diseased trees, or the storage of cut elm wood, unless debarked or treated with a proper insecticide, shall be deemed a public nuisance and are prohibited." If after proper notification is provided to the property owner, the hazardous tree is not removed, the Commissioner of Public Works, in accordance with Sections 116-67 and 116-68, may cause the tree to be removed, pruned or treated at the expense of the property owner. Subsequent charges not paid will be assessed against the property on a future tax bill. This charge may be appealed through the Administrative Review Appeals Board, 200 East Wells Street, Room 205, within thirty (30) days of notice (there is a $25 filing fee for all appeals).

Solid Waste & Recycling

Section 79-5-5 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances states that garbage containers must be returned to their storage area no later than 10 p.m. on the day of collection. A violation notice is posted on the property and the occupants are given 24 hours to comply. Failure to comply with ordinance 79-5-5 will cause the City of Milwaukee to charge the property owner a special charge of $40.00 for the first violation or a special charge of $70.00 for subsequent violations. A posted violation notice is valid for the entire calendar year. If the property is in violation again in the same calendar year, a notice will be posted on the property and a special charge will be assessed without the opportunity to correct the violation.

Section 79-5-2 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances requires that containers are stored at the proper storage location (alley, rear or side yard in the absence of an alley). A violation notice is posted on the property and the occupants are given 24 hours to comply. Failure to comply with ordinance 79-5-2 will cause the City of Milwaukee to charge the property owner a special charge of $25.00 for the first violation or a special charge of $60.00 for subsequent violations. A posted violation notice is valid for the entire calendar year. If the property is in violation again in the same calendar year, a notice will be posted on the property and a special charge will be assessed without the opportunity to correct the violation.

Section 79-25 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances requires that recyclable materials, grass, brush, or leaves must be removed from your garbage containers within 24 hours of issuance of a correction order. A violation notice is posted on the property and the occupants are given 24 hours to comply. Failure to comply with ordinance 79-25 will cause the City of Milwaukee to charge the property a special charge of $10.00 for the first violation or a special charge of $25.00 for subsequent violations.

Section 79-5-3 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances requires ice and/or snow be cleared to provide a clear and unhindered path to garbage and recycling containers. A violation notice is posted on the property and the occupants are given 24 hours to comply. Failure to comply with ordinance 79-5-3 will cause the City of Milwaukee to charge the property owner a special charge of $25.00 for the first violation or a special charge of $50.00 for subsequent violations. A posted violation notice is valid for the entire calendar year. If the property is in violation again in the same calendar year, a notice will be posted on the property and a special charge will be assessed without the opportunity to correct the violation.

Section 79-29 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances requires that garbage material must be removed from your recyclable containers within 72 hours of issuance of a correction order. A violation notice is posted on the property and the occupants are given 72 hours to comply. Failure to comply with ordinance 79-29 will cause the City of Milwaukee to charge the property owner a special charge of $25.00 for the first violation or a special charge of $50.00 for subsequent violations.

Section 79-32 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances states that recycling containers must be returned to their storage area no later than 10 p.m. on the day of collection. A violation notice is posted on the property and the occupants are given 24 hours to comply. Failure to comply with ordinance 79-32 will cause the City of Milwaukee to charge the property owner a special charge of $35.00 for the first violation or a special charge of $60.00 for subsequent violations. A posted violation notice is valid for the entire calendar year. If the property is in violation again in the same calendar year, a notice will be posted on the property and a special charge will be assessed without the opportunity to correct the violation.

Section 79-33 (multi-family dwellings) and 79-35 (non-residential facilities and properties) of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances requires that the owner or designated agent is responsible for providing separate containers for the deposit of recyclables, informing tenants/occupants of the recycling program and providing for collection of the segregated recyclables. A request for compliance letter is mailed to the owner. Failure to comply with this ordinance causes the City of Milwaukee to charge the property owner $50.00 to $200.00 for the first and second violation and $100.00 to $500.00 for the third and each subsequent violation, plus the costs and disbursements of such action.

All Solid Waste & Recycling Charges not paid within 30 days of billing will be assessed on the property tax bill and a $10.00 administrative fee will be added to the total amount due for each charge.

All Solid Waste & Recycling Charges may be appealed within 30 days of the invoice letter through the Administrative Review Appeals Board (ARAB). To request an appeal application, call the City Clerk's office at 414 286-2221. The appeal application is also available online at http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/CityClerksOffice301.htm. The appeal application and the $25 appeal filing fee can be returned to the Administrative Review Appeals Board, 200 E Wells St, Room 205, Milwaukee WI 53202.

To request a copy of the invoice letter or to speak with someone regarding the charge, call 414 286-CITY and your call will be transferred to the appropriate person. 

Apartment Garbage Collection

The property owner/manager has elected the City of Milwaukee for trash removal services at a multi-unit property with five or more dwelling units.

Section 79-2 b of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances states a fee shall be charged for this garbage collection service. Section 79-6.5-8 states the charge shall be billed in advance. Charges are billed quarterly and the charges are based on the type, size, and number of containers at the property. A late fee of 3% is charged on all past due accounts each quarter. Charges that remain unpaid for 2 quarters will be charged a 10% late fee and placed on the property taxes.

Section 79-4-am-2 states owners of multi-unit dwellings of 5 or more units in the same structure with City collection service shall provide, at their cost, containers of a type specified by the operations division.

Section 79-2 C states owners who choose not to have city services are required to provide for removal of solid waste on a weekly basis. Section 79-33-1a&c states owners of multi-unit dwellings of 5 or more are required to provide, at owner’s cost, recycling collection services.

Notice to cancel must be sent in writing.

Please fax invoice or charge search requests to 414 286-3344 .

Write or visit us at
City of Milwaukee
841 N. Broadway
Room 620
Milwaukee, WI 53202

To speak with someone regarding an apartment garbage account or invoice call 414 286-3723.