Legislation Details

File #: 261050    Version: 0
Type: Ordinance Status: In Committee
File created: 11/4/2026 In control: ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
On agenda: Final action:
Effective date:    
Title: An ordinance relating to plumbing and drainage systems for accessory dwelling units.
Sponsors: ALD. CHAMBERS JR., ALD. PEREZ
Attachments: 1. Deed restriction template - Accessory Dwelling Unit - FINAL.pdf
Number
261050
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
240402, 240999
Sponsor
ALD. CHAMBERS, PEREZ
Title
An ordinance relating to plumbing and drainage systems for accessory dwelling units.
Section
225-17-1 am
225-17-3 cr
Analysis
This ordinance exempts accessory dwelling units from requirements that the plumbing and drainage system of a building or structure be separate and independent from that of another building or structure and that each building or structure have an independent connection to a public or private main sewer. If a property owner seeks to connect a detached accessory dwelling unit to the plumbing and drainage system 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 homeo...

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