Number
260556
Version
SUBSTITUTE 3
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. ZAMARRIPA
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to the notification to be provided for the closure of public rights of way and increasing fines if constituents are not properly notified.
Section
115-4-6 am
115-4-6.5 cr
115-47.5 cr
Analysis
This ordinance increases the penalty for failure to notify residents of work closing a public right-of-way from the general penalty of between $25 and $250 to a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. It also requires permit holders to erect digital signage for certain road closures, and requires public utilities to submit annual plans to the department.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 115-4-6 of the code is amended to read:
115-4. Granting of Permits.
6. FAILURE TO NOTIFY. If work is started or the public way occupied without first providing notification as required in sub. 5, >>or if the permit holder fails to provide photographs or video recordings of written notice being served to the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee upon request,<< any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be subject to [[penalties as provided in s. 115-48.]] >>a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, and upon default of payment thereof, be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for a period of not more than 60 days. Each day the work continues or the public right-of-way is closed to public use shall be regarded as a separate offense.<<
Part 2. Section 115-4-6.5 of the code is created to read:
6.5 DIGITAL SIGNS FOR MAJOR ROAD CLOSURES. a. A permit holder shall be required to erect digital signage whenever a permit is granted under this section for work on any roadway where both of the following conditions are met:
a-1. The roadway is determined to have average daily traffic greater than 3,000.
a-2. The work, occupation, or closure of the roadway is expected to last longer than 96 hours.
a-3. The work is expected to fully obstruct traffic in at least one direction on the roadway.
b. The digital sign shall be erected before at least 1 week before work, occupation, or closure commences.
c. Whenever a permit is granted that requires digital signage under this section, the department shall notify the permit holder.
Part 3. Section 115-47.5 of the code is created to read:
115-47.5 Annual Roadwork Plans for Public Utilities.
Any public utility conducting work on public ways within the city shall submit to the department, no later than December 1st of each year, an annual plan. The annual plan shall include a list of all projects they intend to conduct in the following year which will require the obstruction of a public way.
LRB
APPROVED AS TO FORM
K. Broadnax
____________________________
Legislative Reference Bureau
Date: September 10, 2026
______________________
Attorney
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE
IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE
____________________________
Office of the City Attorney
Date: ______________________
Requestor
Department Name
Drafter
LRB181787-2
Gunnar Raasch
9/10/2026