City of Milwaukee - File #: 250454

• File #: 250454
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: In Council-Passage
• File created: 6/24/2025
• In control: PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE
• Title: A substitute ordinance relating to ultrasonic repellent devices.
• Sponsors: ALD. BAUMAN

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
7/24/2025	1	PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR PASSAGE; Minutes note: Appearing: Sponsor Ald. Bauman Public Testimony from Ermerson Sellhausen & Marianne Peterson DNS Mike Mazmanian LRB Chris Hillard	Pass	5:0
6/24/2025	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number
250454
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference

Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to ultrasonic repellent devices.
Sections
80-62.5 cr
80-65-1 am
80-65-2 am
Analysis
Currently, there are no provisions in the code banning the use of ultrasonic pest repellent devices. This ordinance bans the use of ultrasonic pest repellent devices by adding them to the city’s noise ordinance. In addition, the ordinance specifies that measurements for ultrasonic devices shall be made using an ultrasonic analyzer capable of measuring frequencies between 20 to 80 kilohertz from within 20 feet of the original source. Finally, any measurement to determine compliance shall be made using an ultrasonic analyzer from the nearest lot line of the complainant or outside of the lot line of the operator.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section 80-62.5 of the code is created to read:

80-62.5. Ultrasonic Repellent Devices Prohibited. No person shall operate any device designed to emit a constant or intermittent ultrasonic frequency or frequencies for the purpose of repelling animals where such frequencies can be detected beyond the property line of the operator.

Part 2. Section 80-65-1 and 2 of the code is amended to read:

80-65. Method of Measuring Noise.
1. EQUIPMENT. [[Noise]] >>Decibel<< measurements shall be made with a sound level meter and compatible octave band analyzer manufactured according to the specifications of the American National Standards Institute, USA Standard Specification for General Purpose Sound Level Meters (S1.4-1971) and Preferred Center Frequencies for Acoustical Measurements (S1.6-1960) or any other subsequent nationally adopted standard superseding the above standards. >>Ultrasonic measurements shall be made using an ultrasonic analyzer capable of detecting ultrasonic frequencies between 20 to 80 kilohertz within 20 feet of the originating source.<<

2. LOCATION AND INTE...