Chapter 349

349.137(3)(c)2.c. c. That the owner, lessee or operator of an immobilized motor vehicle may contest the propriety of the use of an immobilization device on his or her motor vehicle or the validity of a removal fee using the process described in par. (am), and may contest any legal action commenced to collect a removal fee.

349.137(3)(c)2.d. d. That, except for the payment of the removal fee or the signing of a deferral agreement, no person may be required to do anything to have an immobilization device removed.

349.137(3)(c)2.e. e. That, if a parking enforcer uses an immobilization device on a motor vehicle that is not parked in violation of a restriction against unauthorized parking, the owner, lessee or operator shall not be required to pay a removal fee and the parking enforcer shall be liable to the owner, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle for an amount equal to the removal fee.

349.137(3)(d) (d) Require the owner, lessee or operator of a motor vehicle to do any of the following before an immobilization device may be removed:

349.137(3)(d)1. 1. Pay the removal fee.

349.137(3)(d)2. 2. Sign a deferral agreement under which the person signing the agreement agrees to pay the removal fee to the parking enforcer or contest the removal fee, or the propriety of the use of an immobilization device on his or her motor vehicle, using the process described in par. (am) within 14 days after the immobilization device is removed.

349.137(3)(e) (e) Require the parking enforcer to remove the immobilization device without undue delay after receiving a request to remove the device, not to exceed 60 minutes whenever a request for removal is made by telephone.

349.137(3)(f) (f) Require that, whenever a deferral agreement is signed, the parking enforcer provide the owner, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle a copy of the signed deferral agreement.

349.137(3)(g) (g) Require a person who signs a deferral agreement and does not do any of the activities described in par. (d) 2. within 14 days after the removal of the immobilization device to pay an amount not to exceed 3 times the removal fee plus the reasonable costs incurred to collect the removal fee to the parking enforcer within 30 days after the removal of the immobilization device.

349.137(3)(h) (h) Require a parking enforcer who uses an immobilization device on a motor vehicle that is not parked in violation of a restriction against unauthorized parking to pay an amount equal to the removal fee to the owner, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle within 14 days after the determination that the immobilization device was used improperly.

349.137(3)(i) (i) Prohibit a parking enforcer from requiring a person to transfer any goods, perform any services, or waive any available legal rights or remedies, as a condition for removing an immobilization device, except as specified in par. (d).

349.137(3)(j) (j) Specify the maximum removal fee that may be charged.

349.137(4) (4) 

349.137(4)(a) (a) A municipality may enact or enforce any regulation of the use of immobilization devices to enforce parking restrictions that is not contrary to or inconsistent with this section.

349.137(4)(b) (b) A chancellor of a campus of the University of Wisconsin System may adopt or enforce any rule under s. 36.11 (8) regulating the use of immobilization devices to enforce parking restrictions that is not contrary to or inconsistent with this section.

349.137 History History: 1995 a. 434; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 35 s. 437.

349.139 349.139 Authority to immobilize, remove, impound, and dispose of motor vehicles for nonmoving traffic violations.

349.139(1) (1) In this section:

349.139(1)(a) (a) “Habitual parking violator” means a person who has received, more than 60 days previously, 5 or more citations for nonmoving traffic violations that remain unpaid and for which the person has not scheduled an appearance in court in response to the citations.

349.139(1)(b) (b) “Immobilization device” has the meaning given in s. 341.65 (1) (a).

349.139(1)(c) (c) “Nonmoving traffic violation” has the meaning given in s. 345.28 (1) (c).

349.139(1)(d) (d) “Owner” has the meaning given in s. 341.65 (1) (am).

349.139(1)(e) (e) “Parking enforcer” means a traffic officer or any other person who enforces nonmoving traffic violations and who is employed by a municipality or county.

349.139(2) (2) The governing body of any municipality or county may by ordinance provide for the immobilization or removal, impoundment, and disposal of vehicles owned by habitual parking violators as provided in this section. Any ordinance under this section shall do all of the following:

349.139(2)(a) (a) Limit application of the ordinance to those motor vehicles for which all of the following apply:

349.139(2)(a)1. 1. The municipality or county has cited the owner of the motor vehicle for 5 or more nonmoving traffic violations that, at the time of the vehicle’s immobilization or removal, occurred more than 60 days previously and for which the owner has neither paid the forfeiture for each of these violations nor scheduled an appearance in court in response to each of these citations.

349.139(2)(a)2. 2.

349.139(2)(a)2.a. a. The municipality or county has mailed to the last-known address of the owner at least one notice that specifies, for each citation counted under subd. 1., the date on which the citation was issued, the license number or vehicle identification number of the vehicle involved, the place where the citation may be paid, the amount of the forfeiture, and the means by which the citation may be contested.

349.139(2)(a)2.b. b. The notice under subd. 2. a. shall also inform the owner that any motor vehicle owned by him or her may be immobilized with an immobilization device or removed and impounded if, within 60 days after the owner has received 5 or more citations and at the time the vehicle is immobilized or removed and impounded, the owner has neither paid the forfeiture for each violation that occurred more than 60 days previously nor scheduled an appearance in court in response to each citation issued more than 60 days previously for which the forfeiture has not been paid.

349.139(2)(a)2.c. c. The notice under this subdivision may be combined with any other notice provided by the municipality or county to the owner.

349.139(2)(b) (b) Authorize any parking enforcer who discovers any motor vehicle to which par. (a) applies that is legally or illegally parked on any portion of the street, highway, or publicly owned or leased parking facility within the corporate limits of the municipality or county to cause the motor vehicle to be immobilized with an immobilization device or removed to a suitable place of impoundment or both. Upon immobilization or removal of the motor vehicle, the parking enforcer shall follow the notification procedure specified in s. 341.65 (2) (b).

349.139(2)(c) (c) Specify whether the municipality or county may contract with a 3rd party for the performance of services related to immobilization or removal of motor vehicles. The services shall be rendered only at the request of a parking enforcer.

349.139(2)(d) (d) Provide for a reasonable removal fee, if any, that will be charged to remove an immobilization device placed on a vehicle under this section.

349.139(2)(e) (e) Provide for the recovery of reasonable towing or storage charges associated with the removal or impoundment of a vehicle, and of reasonable charges associated with disposal of a vehicle, under this section.

349.139(2)(f) (f) Require that, if the motor vehicle is immobilized, the parking enforcer or a 3rd-party contractor place in a highly visible location and a reasonably secure manner on the vehicle, at the time of immobilization, a written notice that does all of the following:

349.139(2)(f)1. 1. Warns any driver of the vehicle that the immobilization device has been placed on the vehicle.

349.139(2)(f)2. 2. Specifies, for each citation counted under par. (a) 1., the license number or vehicle identification number of the vehicle involved, the place where the citation may be paid, and the means by which the citation may be contested, or provides a telephone number at which an individual is available to provide this information 24 hours a day.

349.139(2)(f)3. 3. States the amount of the removal fee under par. (d), if any, that is in addition to any amount required to be paid as specified in the notice under par. (a) 2. a.

349.139(2)(g) (g) If the motor vehicle is immobilized in a time-limited, legal parking space, prohibit the municipality or county from issuing, after the vehicle’s immobilization, any citation for a time-limited nonmoving traffic violation for the vehicle within the first 4 hours after the vehicle is immobilized.

349.139(2)(h) (h) If the motor vehicle is immobilized, require the municipality or county, or a 3rd-party contractor, to remove, or provide sufficient information to allow the vehicle owner to remove, the immobilization device without undue delay, not to exceed 3 hours, after receiving notice that the person has satisfied the requirements for release of the motor vehicle under sub. (3) (b). The ordinance shall also provide a procedure for the municipality, county, or 3rd-party contractor to promptly receive notice when a person has satisfied the requirements for release of a motor vehicle under sub. (3) (b).

349.139(3) (3) 

349.139(3)(a) (a) Any motor vehicle immobilized or impounded as provided in sub. (2) shall remain immobilized or impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of as provided in this subsection and sub. (5).

349.139(3)(b) (b) The owner of a motor vehicle that is immobilized under sub. (2) may secure release of the motor vehicle by doing all of the following:

349.139(3)(b)1. 1. Paying any removal fee provided in sub. (2) (d).

349.139(3)(b)2. 2. Paying all forfeitures specified in each notice under sub. (2) (a) 2. a. for, or scheduling an appearance in court in response to, or a combination of paying forfeitures and scheduling appearances with respect to, all citations counted under sub. (2) (a) 1.

349.139(3)(c) (c) The owner of a motor vehicle that is removed and impounded under sub. (2) may secure release of the motor vehicle by doing all of the following:

349.139(3)(c)1. 1. Paying any charges provided in sub. (2) (e).

349.139(3)(c)2. 2. Paying all forfeitures specified in each notice under sub. (2) (a) 2. a. for, or scheduling an appearance in court in response to, or a combination of paying forfeitures and scheduling appearances with respect to, all citations counted under sub. (2) (a) 1.

349.139(3)(d) (d) If an owner secures release of a motor vehicle under par. (b) or (c) by scheduling an appearance in court and thereafter fails to appear or fails to comply with any court order with respect to any citation counted under sub. (2) (a) 1. for which the forfeiture has not been fully paid, including failure to satisfy in full any court-ordered payment plan or other agreement approved by the court, the court may order a law enforcement officer, or an authorized employee or contractor of the municipality or county, to immobilize the motor vehicle involved in the nonmoving traffic violations or the municipality or county may cause the motor vehicle to be immobilized or removed and impounded as provided under sub. (2). If the court orders the motor vehicle immobilized, upon compliance with the court order, the court shall order a law enforcement officer, or an authorized employee or contractor of the municipality or county, to remove the immobilization device.

349.139(3)(e) (e) Notwithstanding par. (a), if any motor vehicle immobilized or impounded is an unregistered motor vehicle for purposes of s. 341.65 or an abandoned motor vehicle for purposes of s. 342.40, the municipality or county may take any action authorized under s. 341.65 or 342.40. Any vehicle immobilized under this section for longer than the period specified in s. 342.40 (1m) shall be considered abandoned for purposes of s. 342.40.

349.139(4) (4) The owner of any motor vehicle immobilized or removed and impounded as provided under this section is responsible for all charges associated with immobilizing, removing, impounding, and disposing of the motor vehicle, as provided under sub. (2) (d) and (e). Charges not recovered from the sale of the motor vehicle may be recovered in a civil action by the municipality or county against the owner.

349.139(5) (5) The procedures and provisions of s. 341.65 (2) (f) to (h) shall apply with respect to the impoundment and disposal of motor vehicles authorized to be removed, impounded, and disposed of under this section to the same extent as these provisions apply to the impoundment and disposal of unregistered motor vehicles that are removed under authority of s. 341.65, except that reclamation of the motor vehicle by the owner requires compliance with sub. (3) rather than s. 341.65 (2) (e). The provisions of s. 349.13 (5) (b) shall apply with respect to vehicles removed or stored under this section to the same extent as these provisions apply with respect to vehicles removed or stored under authority of s. 349.13.

349.139(6) (6) Any ordinance enacted under this section permitting immobilization of a motor vehicle may prohibit any person from removing, disconnecting, tampering with, or otherwise circumventing the operation of an immobilization device installed under this section except upon release of the motor vehicle to the owner or to make necessary repairs to a malfunctioning immobilization device.

349.139(7) (7) Section 349.137 does not apply to the use of motor vehicle immobilization devices under this section.

349.139 History History: 2017 a. 286.

349.14 349.14 Authority to use parking meters.

349.14(1) (1) It is the public policy of this state that the use of parking meters by cities, villages, towns and counties to measure the time for parking vehicles is a local matter to be determined by the local authorities.

349.14(2) (2) Cities, villages, towns and counties may by ordinance or resolution provide for the installation and operation of parking meters and may provide for the use of the revenue collected from such meters for general street and highway maintenance, repair and construction, for meeting the cost of traffic and parking regulation, for the purchase and operation of publicly owned off-street parking facilities, and for such other expenses and purposes as the local authority deems reasonably necessary to provide for the convenience, safety and welfare of persons using the streets and highways for vehicular traffic.

349.14 History History: 1993 a. 246.

349.145 349.145 Authority to establish disabled parking enforcement assistance councils. Any city, village or county may by ordinance or resolution establish a disabled parking enforcement assistance council. The majority of such a council shall be appointed by the local authorities from among those residents of the city, village or county to whom or on whose behalf the department has issued a special registration plate under s. 341.14 (1) to (1q) or a special identification card under s. 343.51. Members of such a council may report violations of s. 341.625 (1), 343.52, 346.503 or 346.505 (2) or ordinances in conformity therewith to a traffic officer of the city, village or county as provided in s. 341.625 (2), 343.52 (3), 346.503 (5) or 346.505 (3). If a 1st or 2nd class city has enacted an ordinance under s. 346.50 (3m), the council shall perform any duties required by s. 346.50 (3m).

349.145 History History: 1987 a. 260; 1991 a. 87; 1993 a. 256; 1995 a. 131; 2009 a. 246.

349.15 349.15 Authority to modify weight limitations and classify highways.

349.15(1) (1) The limitations on size and weight imposed by ch. 348 are lawful throughout the state and local authorities may not alter such limitations except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

349.15(2) (2) The county highway committee with respect to the county trunk highway system and the local authorities with respect to highways maintained by them may designate all or parts of such highways to be class “B” highways for the purpose of putting into effect the weight limitations set forth in s. 348.16, except that no portion of any such highway which is a state trunk highway or connecting highway may be so designated.

349.15(3) (3) Any city of the first class may, with respect to the streets of such city, by ordinance increase the maximum weight limitations specified in ss. 348.15 and 348.16.

349.15 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (3).

349.15 Annotation The police power under this section need not be based on the condition of the roadbed, but may be exercised to promote the general welfare of the public. 66 Atty. Gen. 110.

349.16 349.16 Authority to impose special or seasonal weight limitations.

349.16(1) (1) The officer in charge of maintenance in case of highways maintained by a town, city or village, the county highway commissioner or county highway committee in the case of highways maintained by the county and the department in the case of highways maintained by the state may:

349.16(1)(a) (a) Impose special weight limitations on any such highway or portion thereof which, because of weakness of the roadbed due to deterioration or climatic conditions or other special or temporary condition, would likely be seriously damaged or destroyed in the absence of such special limitations;

349.16(1)(b) (b) Impose special weight limitations on bridges or culverts when in its judgment such bridge or culvert cannot safely sustain the maximum weights permitted by statute;

349.16(1)(c) (c) Order the owner or operator of any vehicle being operated on a highway to suspend operation if in its judgment such vehicle is causing or likely to cause injury to such highway or is visibly injuring the permanence thereof or the public investment therein, except when s. 84.20 is applicable or when the vehicle is being operated pursuant to a contract which provides that the governmental unit will be reimbursed for any damage done to the highway. Traffic officers also may order suspension of operation under the circumstances and subject to the limitations stated in this paragraph.

349.16(2) (2) Imposition of the special weight limitations authorized by sub. (1) (a) shall be done by erecting signs on or along the highway on which it is desired to impose the limitation sufficient to give reasonable notice that a special weight limitation is in effect and the nature of that limitation. Imposition of the special weight limitations authorized by sub. (1) (b) shall be done by erecting signs before each end of the bridge or culvert to which the weight limitation applies sufficient to give reasonable notice that a special weight limitation is in effect and the nature of that limitation. All weight limitation signs and their erection shall comply with the rules of the department and shall be standard throughout the state.

349.16(3) (3) 

349.16(3)(a) (a) The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway may exempt vehicles carrying certain commodities specified by the authority or which are used to perform certain services specified by the authority from the special weight limitations which are imposed under sub. (1) (a), or may set different weight limitations than those imposed under sub. (1) (a) for vehicles carrying those commodities or which are used to perform those services, if the exemption or limitation is reasonable and necessary to promote the public health, safety, and welfare.

349.16(3)(b) (b) The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway shall exempt from the special or seasonal weight limitations imposed under sub. (1) (a) a vehicle that is used to transport material pumped from a septic or holding tank if, because of health concerns, material needs to be removed from a septic or holding tank within 24 hours after the vehicle owner or operator is notified and if the vehicle is operated for the purpose of emptying the septic or holding tank and disposing of its contents and is operated on a route that minimizes travel on highways subject to weight limitations imposed under sub. (1) (a). Within 72 hours after operating a vehicle that transported material pumped from a septic or holding tank and that exceeded special or seasonal weight limitations as authorized by this paragraph, the owner or operator of the vehicle shall notify the authority in charge of maintenance of the highways over which the vehicle was operated.

349.16(3)(c) (c) The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway shall exempt from the special or seasonal weight limitations imposed under sub. (1) (a) a vehicle operated by or at the direction of a public utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (5), a telecommunications provider, as defined in s. 196.01 (8p), or a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 for the purpose of producing or furnishing heat, light, power, or water to its members, that is being operated for the purpose of responding to a service interruption.

349.16(3)(d) (d) The authority in charge of the maintenance of the highway shall exempt from the special or seasonal weight limitations imposed under sub. (1) (a) a motor vehicle that is being operated to deliver propane for heating purposes if the gross weight imposed on the highway by the vehicle does not exceed 30,000 pounds, for a vehicle with a single rear axle, or 40,000 pounds, for a vehicle with tandem rear axles, and, if the motor vehicle is a tank vehicle, the tank is loaded to no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the tank. A tank vehicle operated under this paragraph shall be equipped with a gauge on the tank that shows the amount of propane in the tank as a percent of the capacity of the tank and shall carry documentation of the capacity of the tank either on the cargo tank or in the cab of the vehicle. A motor vehicle operated under this paragraph shall, to the extent practicable, make deliveries on seasonally weight-restricted roads at times of the day when the highways used are the least vulnerable.

349.16 History History: 1975 c. 141; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (8) (a); 1977 c. 435; 1983 a. 307; 1999 a. 46; 2015 a. 44; 2017 a. 68.

349.17 349.17 Authority of cities, villages and towns to regulate heavy traffic.

349.17(1) (1) Any city, village or town may by ordinance or resolution designate any street or highway under its jurisdiction as a heavy traffic route and designate the type and character of vehicles which may be operated thereon. A city, village or town may restrict or prohibit heavy traffic from using other streets or highways under its jurisdiction except that it may not place such restrictions on streets or highways over which are routed state trunk highways and may not prohibit heavy traffic from using a street or highway for the purpose of obtaining orders for supplies or moving or delivering supplies or commodities to or from any place of business or residence which has an entrance on such street or highway. Whenever a city, village or town designates any street or highway under its jurisdiction as a heavy traffic route, it shall cause appropriate signs to be erected giving notice thereof.

349.17(2) (2) In this section, “heavy traffic” means all vehicles not operating completely on pneumatic tires and all vehicles or combination of vehicles, other than motor buses, designed or used for transporting property of any nature and having a gross weight of more than 6,000 pounds.

349.17 History History: 1977 c. 116; 1993 a. 246.

349.17 Annotation Legislative Council Note, 1977: Sub. (1) authorizes cities and villages to designate any street as a heavy traffic route. As defined in s. 340.01 (64), the term “street” means every highway within the corporate limits of a city or village except alleys. By adding “or highway” after “street”, s. 349.17 (1) authorizes a city or village to prohibit heavy traffic from using any street or alley which has not been designated as a heavy traffic route unless such street or alley is being used to obtain orders for supplies or to deliver supplies or commodities to or from a place of business or residence with an entrance on such street or alley. “Highway” is defined in s. 340.01 (22), to mean “all public ways and thoroughfares”, including alleys. [Bill 465-A]

349.18 349.18 Additional traffic-control authority of counties and municipalities.

349.18(1) (1) Any city, village or town, by ordinance, may:

349.18(1)(a) (a) Designate the number of persons that may ride on a motor bicycle at any one time and the highways upon which a motor bicycle or moped may or may not be operated.

349.18(1)(b) (b) Establish a golf cart crossing point upon a highway within its limits. An ordinance enacted under this paragraph shall require that a golf cart stop and yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway before crossing the highway. The ordinance may require that a golf cart be equipped with reflective devices as specified in the ordinance. The city, village or town shall place a sign of a type approved by the department to mark the crossing point on both sides of the highway.

349.18(1)(c) (c) Regulate the operation of a golf cart to and from a golf course for a distance not to exceed one mile upon a highway under its exclusive jurisdiction. The city, village or town shall place a sign of a type approved by the department to mark any golf cart travel route designated by the ordinance.