Code Compliance

Code Compliance seeks compliance with City ordinances pertaining to maintenance, sanitation, rehabilitation, conservation, and safety of existing residential and commercial properties. This can include such things as graffiti, high weeds and grass, junked vehicles, safety concerns, and much more. The City of Waupaca codes are intended to benefit everyone while making our neighborhoods a better place to live, work, and play. Please click on the links below for more information.

Report a Code Violation Concern

Learn more about Code Violations

The City of Waupaca has many written ordinances that are designed to maintain a healthy, safe, and clean environment, carry out land use policy, and preserve the quality-of-life standards that residents and businesses enjoy in our community.

There are many types of codes: Zoning, Fire, Uniform Building, Housing Maintenance, various health, and Safety codes. Code enforcement is a responsibility shared across City departments. To be effective and efficient, code enforcement also needs the cooperation of residents and businesses.

Because there are many codes, many involving complex technical or legal issues, residents frequently have questions about code enforcement and their role in keeping Waupaca a great place to live and work. The following information will answer the most frequently asked questions about code enforcement in our community.

How are codes enforced?

The code enforcement process is typically initiated in several ways:

1. In response to a complaint by an individual; or a neighborhood association
2. Observation of a code violation by City staff as they patrol the community and do their jobs;
3. As a consequence of an action (for example, an application for a building permit or a request for a zoning variance).

The City relies on residents to help identify possible code violations, particularly in these areas:
Snow and ice on public sidewalks
Illegal signs, such as advertising flyers and portable ground signs
Graffiti on public or private property
Long grass and weed violations
Illegal dumping of garbage and debris
Abandoned and/or inoperable vehicles
Illegal dumping of oils and other hazardous materials into storm drains
Overgrown foliage blocking stop signs, impeding sight of driveways or making corners dangerous
Parking regulations in residential neighborhoods – on-street parking and parking on lawns
Overflowing garbage or other garbage problems
Zoning and occupancy issues
Housing maintenance issues

How do I notify the City about possible code violations?

You may file a complaint about a possible code violation in person, in writing, by phone or email. In an average year, the City receives hundreds of complaints related to possible code enforcement violations.

Please be prepared with specific information, such as:

The address of the property,
Detailed description of the situation, and
The length of time you have observed the situation.

You do not have to identify yourself, but having your name will assist us with follow-up and ensure we have all the information we need to resolve the situation.

Here is our code compliance portal to file a complaint online:
https://ci-waupaca-wi.smartgovcommunity.com/CodeEnforcement/ComplaintEntry

What is the procedure for following up on possible code violations?

City staff responds to code enforcement complaints according to the impact of the violation on the community. Situations that appear to pose a serious risk to health and safety are given top priority; others are pursued in the order in which they are received.

For all types of code complaints, the first step in the follow-up procedure is an inspection by a City staff member to see if a code violation exists. In general a notice of violation is issued to the owner/tenant to correct the code violation in a timely manner. The City may also take court action if the situation poses a significant risk to the community or if the individual has ignored the notice of violation.

What penalties result from code violations?

In many cases, the individual responsible for the code violation is given the opportunity to voluntarily correct the situation and comply with current codes without a penalty. If the correction is not made, then the individual may be subject to fines and civil injunctions or other penalties.

Code Enforcement Contact Information

Abandoned vehicles on public streets
Police Department
715.258.4400

Animal control—dogs running at large (daytime), licensing and vaccination of dogs, dead or injured animals
Police Department
715.258.4400

Animal control—barking dogs, poisoning of animals, possession of fighting animals
Police Department
715.258.4400

Animals—too many, unsanitary conditions
Police Department
715.258.4400

Buildings, dangerous or substandard
Code Enforcement
715.942.9908

Fire hazard
Fire Department
715.258.4434
Emergency
Fire (24 hours)
9-1-1

Garbage—overflowing garbage cans or dumpsters
Code Enforcement
715.942.9908

Graffiti – Private Property
Police Department
715.258.4400

Graffiti – Public Property
Public Works
715.258.4420

Hazardous Waste – Residential/Commercial/Industrial
City-County Health/Fire Department
715.258.6409
715.258.4434

Furniture on porches and yard
Code Enforcement
715.942.9908

Noise disturbances
Police Department
715.258.4400

Signs, illegally posted
Code Enforcement
715.942.9908

Snow and ice on public sidewalks
Code Enforcement
715.942.9908

Storm drains—illegal dumping
Public Works
715.839.4934

Street trees—trimming
Forestry Department
715.258.4420

Vegetation blocking sidewalk, obstructing signs or obstructing vehicle sight lines
Streets Division
715.258.4421

Inoperable vehicles parked on private property
Code Enforcement
715.942.9908

Vehicles – parked on unimproved surface
Police Department
715.258.4400

Vehicles illegally parked on public streets
Police Department
715.258.4400

Weed abatement, long grass
Code Enforcement
715.942.9908

Zoning occupancy issues and questions
Community Development
715.258.4404

Common Ordinance Violations

Building Numbering-Chapter 8.10

The owner, occupant or agent shall place, or cause to be placed, upon each house or building controlled by him/her the number or numbers assigned under the uniform system provided for in this section.

The numbers shall be conspicuously placed immediately above, on or at the side of the proper door of each building so that the number can be seen plainly from the street. Whenever any building is situated more than 50 feet from the street line, the number of such building shall be conspicuously displayed in an appropriate place so as to be easily discernible from the sidewalk.

Grass Cutting – Chapter 10.10(10)

(2) Any undeveloped parcel larger than one acre in size shall destroy noxious weeds and cut long grass and vegetation to 12 inches in height within the right of way and within 20 feet of any abutting developed property. (Cr. Ord. #03-17(2017))

(3) Any parcel with improvement upon it or a parcel less than one acre in size shall destroy noxious weeds and cut and maintain long grass and vegetation to a height of 12 inches or less. (Cr. Ord. #03-17(2017))

Off-Premises Signs – Chapter 17.507(2)(c)

Off-premises signs shall be expressly prohibited in all zoning districts

Rummage and Garage Sales – Chapter 12.09

Residents are allowed two rummage/garage sales per year. Additional sales above the two-sale allowance will require a Rummage/Garage Sale Permit ($10). Each such sale may be held for not more than 3 consecutive days and shall not be conducted between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M.

No private signs may be placed in the city boulevard or terrace (area between a sidewalk and street) except rummage sale and open house signs. Anyone placing rummage sale or open house signs in the boulevard must be limited to the days of the event, removed after the sale or open house, and must provide their own poles or stakes. No signs of any kind shall be placed on any utility poles, trees, or street sign posts.

Snow and Ice Removal – Chapter 8.09

The owner or occupant of a lot or parcel abutting on a sidewalk within the City shall clear said sidewalk of snow or ice to the width of the sidewalk within 24 hours of the cessation of any snowfall. If ice forms so that it cannot be removed, such person shall keep the sidewalks sprinkled with a material which will reduce the risk to pedestrians of slipping and falling on such sidewalk. Snow not timely removed and ice not timely removed or sprinkled shall be deemed a public nuisance, as provided in sec. 10.05(13) of this Code.

The owner or lessee of every lot or parcel in the City shall not by himself/herself or his/her agent push, plow or otherwise deposit snow from within his/her lot line onto the public street or alley.

Unlicensed/Inoperable Motor Vehicles, Truck Bodies, Tractors or Trailers – Chapter 9.13

No person shall accumulate, store, or allow any disassembled, unlicensed, inoperable, junked, or wrecked motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors, or trailers in the open upon any public or private property in the City for a period exceeding 72 hours. Garden tractors and mowers may be stored in the rear yard at least 10 feet from the property line.

No person, except a licensed junk dealer, shall accumulate, store, or allow any junk outside of any building or any public or private real estate located in the City. If any residents are in violation of this, a police officer or building inspector will give a 10-day notice to remove such items. If the items are not removed, a citation may be issued.

Visibility and Vision Clearance/Vegetation in Public Areas – Chapters 17.601 and 10.10

No person shall plant any other vegetation, except for grass for lawns, in a public area without the written permission of the Forester. Vegetation planted in public areas shall not exceed a height of 30 inches

There shall be an unoccupied triangular vision clearance space at the street corner of a corner lot which is bounded by the street lines and a setback line connecting points 10 feet from the corner on each street line. In the case of arterial streets intersecting with other arterial streets or railways, the corner cut-off distances establishing the triangular vision clearance space shall be increased to 50 feet. No obstructions such as structures, parking or vegetation, except for necessary highway and traffic signs or public utility lines, shall be permitted in any district between the heights of 2½ feet and 10 feet above the curb level.

No person shall plant, grow or maintain any tree, shrub or other vegetation on any City street corner lot within the clear vision triangle which may obstruct the vision of the operator of any motor vehicle or pedestrian approaching such intersection. Any tree, shrub or other vegetation obstructing such view between the heights of 2½ feet and 10 feet above street grade shall be deemed a public nuisance.

Tenant & Landlord Rights

The complete State of Wisconsin Statute on Landlord and Tenant (Chapter 704) can be found here.

Additional information regarding tenant and landlord rights can be found in the following link:

Consumer Protection Landlord/Tenant Guide

Additional information and questions relating to Consumer Protection in the State of Wisconsin may be directed to:

Bureau of Consumer Protection
2811 Agriculture Drive PO Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708
608.224.5012

Additional information and questions relating to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development may be directed to:

Milwaukee Field Office
310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 950
Milwaukee, WI 53203
414.297.3214

Code Compliance

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Common Ordinance Violations

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