Skip to Content
 

ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT & HOUSING

Safe housing and stable neighborhoods are essential to the health and well-being of Milwaukee residents. The Office of the City Attorney works with City departments to enforce local ordinances and support compliance with housing and property standards.

This page explains how ordinance enforcement works, what legal tools may be used, and where residents can direct concerns.

What Is Ordinance Enforcement?

Ordinance enforcement refers to the legal process used to address violations of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances. These violations may involve:

  • Unsafe or hazardous building conditions
  • Property maintenance issues
  • Public nuisance activity
  • Chronic code violations
  • Health and safety concerns

City departments — such as the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) and the Health Department — investigate complaints and issue orders or citations. When compliance is not achieved, the matter may be referred to the City Attorney’s Office for legal action.

What Role Does the City Attorney’s Office Play?

The Office of the City Attorney:

  • Prosecutes ordinance violations in Milwaukee Municipal Court
  • Files enforcement actions in Circuit Court when authorized
  • Seeks court orders to compel compliance
  • Works with departments to ensure enforcement actions are legally sound

The Office represents the City as an entity. It does not represent tenants, landlords, or private individuals.

Legal Tools Used in Enforcement

Depending on the circumstances, the City may use several legal tools, including:

Citations
Issuance of municipal citations requiring correction of violations or payment of forfeitures.

Court Enforcement Actions
Filing actions in court to compel compliance when violations persist.

Injunctions
Court orders requiring a property owner to correct violations.

Receivership (In Limited Cases)
A court may appoint a receiver to manage or rehabilitate a property when severe, ongoing violations threaten public health or safety.

Each enforcement action follows established legal standards and due process protections.

How the Enforcement Process Works

  • Complaint or Inspection – A City department identifies a potential violation.
  • Notice and Opportunity to Correct – The property owner is notified and given a deadline to comply.
  • Follow-Up Inspection – The department verifies whether corrections were made.
  • Legal Referral (if necessary) – The case may be referred to the City Attorney’s Office.
  • Court Proceedings – The matter proceeds in Municipal or Circuit Court if compliance is not achieved.

The goal of enforcement is compliance — not punishment. Legal action is generally pursued when voluntary correction has not occurred.

Tenant and Landlord Information

The City Attorney’s Office enforces City ordinances. It does not:

  • Provide legal advice to tenants or landlords
  • Represent private parties in eviction or lease disputes
  • Act as a private attorney in housing matters

For landlord-tenant disputes or private legal assistance, residents may wish to contact:

  • Legal Aid organizations
  • The State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral Service
  • Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Reporting Property Concerns

To report unsafe or non-compliant properties, contact:

Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS)
[Insert link]
[Phone number]

For public health concerns:

Milwaukee Health Department
[Insert link]
[Phone number]

For general City service requests:

[Insert link to service request portal]

 

Submitting concerns directly to the appropriate department ensures timely investigation.

Commitment to Safe and Stable Neighborhoods

Ordinance enforcement supports:

  • Safe housing conditions
  • Property value stability
  • Public health protection
  • Fair and consistent application of City standards

The Office of the City Attorney works to ensure that enforcement actions are lawful, consistent, and protective of the public interest.