Number
261052
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
240402, 240999
Sponsor
ALD. CHAMBERS, PEREZ
Title
Resolution relating to Milwaukee Water Works water service piping requirements for accessory dwelling units.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Milwaukee Water Works to amend its Rules and Regulations to exempt accessory dwelling units from separate water service piping requirements. If a property owner seeks to connect a detached accessory dwelling unit to the water service piping of a primary dwelling, the property owner must record a deed restriction prohibiting the separation of the accessory dwelling unit from the primary dwelling by land division or separate ownership.
Body
Whereas, On July 15, 2025, through the passage of Common Council File Number 240402, the Common Council adopted The Housing Element of Milwaukee’s Comprehensive Plan as part of Milwaukee’s Overall Comprehensive Plan, including a variety of strategies and recommendations to increase housing choice and growth within the City through enabling a wider variety of housing types and pursuing complementary strategies to lower the costs of constructing new housing; and
Whereas, On July 15, 2025, through the passage of Common Council File Number 240999, the Common Council updated the zoning ordinance to create a new definition for accessory dwelling units and set zoning standards to permit their construction; and
Whereas, Interest in the construction of new accessory dwelling units is growing in Milwaukee, and the City’s current requirements for a separate water lateral and a separate sewer lateral for each building add significant costs to the construction of a new detached accessory dwelling unit; and
Whereas, City staff have identified a set of policy updates that would preserve health and safety while providing flexibility for homeowners seeking to build detached accessory dwelling units, including through allowing a connection to the existing water service of a primary dwelling in limited circumstances; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Milwaukee Water Works shall modify Chapter 3 of its Rules and Regulations as follows:
Chapter 3 Water Service Piping
3.1.1 General
Each customer >>except for accessory dwelling units,<< shall be served through separate water service piping. >>For the purposes of this rule, “accessory dwelling unit” has the meaning given in s. 295-201 of the City of Milwaukee Code of Ordinances.<<
Each building >>except for accessory dwelling units,<< shall be served through separate water service piping unless the utility, in its sole discretion, grants permission in unusual circumstances.
>>If a detached accessory dwelling unit seeks to connect to the existing water service piping of the primary dwelling, the property owner is required to record a deed restriction with the Register of Deeds that prohibits a future land division or the filing of a condominium declaration or condominium plat that would separate the accessory dwelling unit from the primary dwelling by land division or separate ownership. A copy of this deed restriction shall be submitted to the commissioner of neighborhood services along with any required permit applications.<<
Requestor
Water Works
Drafter
LRB181991-1
Dave Gelting
November 2, 2026