Chapter 62

62.233(3) (3) A city ordinance enacted under this section shall accord and be consistent with the requirements and limitations under s. 59.692 (1d), (1f), and (1k) and shall include at least all of the following provisions:

62.233(3)(a) (a) A provision establishing a shoreland setback area of at least 50 feet from the ordinary high-water mark, except as provided in par. (b).

62.233(3)(b) (b) A provision authorizing construction or placement of a principal building within the shoreland setback area established under par. (a) if all of the following apply:

62.233(3)(b)1. 1. The principal building is constructed or placed on a lot or parcel of land that is immediately adjacent on each side to a lot or parcel of land containing a principal building.

62.233(3)(b)2. 2. The principal building is constructed or placed within a distance equal to the average setback of the principal building on the adjacent lots or 35 feet from the ordinary high-water mark, whichever distance is greater.

62.233(5) (5) Provisions of a county shoreland zoning ordinance under s. 59.692 and any regulations, approvals, and conditions imposed under the ordinance that were applicable, prior to annexation, to any shoreland annexed by a city after May 7, 1982, continue in effect until the effective date of an ordinance enacted by the city under sub. (2).

62.233(6) (6) Provisions of a county shoreland zoning ordinance under s. 59.692 and any regulations, approvals, and conditions imposed under the ordinance that were applicable prior to incorporation to any shoreland that is part of a town that incorporates as a city under s. 66.0203, 66.0211, 66.0213, or 66.0215 after April 30, 1994, continue in effect until the effective date of an ordinance enacted by the city under sub. (2).

62.233(7) (7) An ordinance enacted under sub. (2) does not apply to lands adjacent to an artificially constructed drainage ditch, pond, or stormwater retention basin if the drainage ditch, pond, or retention basin is not hydrologically connected to a natural navigable water body.

62.233 History History: 2013 a. 80, 151; 2015 a. 55; 2023 a. 264.

62.234 62.234 Construction site erosion control and storm water management zoning.

62.234(1) (1) Definition. As used in this section, “department” means the department of natural resources.

62.234(2) (2) Authority to enact ordinance. To effect the purposes of s. 281.33 and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, a city may enact a zoning ordinance, that is applicable to all of its incorporated area, for construction site erosion control at sites described in s. 281.33 (3) (a) 1. a. and b. and for storm water management. This ordinance may be enacted separately from ordinances enacted under s. 62.23. An ordinance enacted under this subsection is subject to the strict conformity requirements under s. 281.33 (3m).

62.234(4) (4) Applicability of city zoning provisions.

62.234(4)(a) (a) Except as otherwise specified in this section, s. 62.23 applies to any ordinance or amendment to an ordinance enacted under this section.

62.234(4)(b) (b) Variances and appeals regarding construction site erosion control or storm water management regulations under this section are to be determined by the board of appeals for that city. Procedures under s. 62.23 (7) (e) apply to these determinations.

62.234(4)(c) (c) An ordinance enacted under this section supersedes all provisions of an ordinance enacted under s. 62.23 that relate to construction site erosion control at sites described in s. 281.33 (3) (a) 1. a. and b. or to storm water management regulation.

62.234(5) (5) Applicability of comprehensive zoning plan or general zoning ordinance. Ordinances enacted under this section shall accord and be consistent with any comprehensive zoning plan or general zoning ordinance applicable to the enacting cities, so far as practicable.

62.234(6) (6) Applicability of local subdivision regulation. All powers granted to a city under s. 236.45 may be exercised by it with respect to construction site erosion control at sites described in s. 281.33 (3) (a) 1. a. and b. or with respect to storm water management regulation, if the city has or provides a planning commission or agency.

62.234(7) (7) Applicability to local governments and agencies. An ordinance enacted under this section is applicable to activities conducted by a unit of local government and an agency of that unit of government. An ordinance enacted under this section is not applicable to activities conducted by an agency, as defined under s. 227.01 (1) but also including the office of district attorney, which is subject to the state plan promulgated or a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 281.33 (2).

62.234(8) (8) Intergovernmental cooperation.

62.234(8)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (c), s. 66.0301 applies to this section, but for the purposes of this section any agreement under s. 66.0301 shall be effected by ordinance.

62.234(8)(b) (b) If a city is served by a regional planning commission under s. 66.0309 and if the commission consents, the city may empower the commission by ordinance to administer the ordinance enacted under this section throughout the city, whether or not the area otherwise served by the commission includes all of that city.

62.234(8)(c) (c) If a city is served by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission, and if the commission consents, the city may empower the commission by ordinance to administer the ordinance enacted under this section throughout the city, whether or not the area otherwise served by the commission includes all of that city. Section 66.0301 does not apply to this paragraph.

62.234 History History: 1983 a. 416; 1983 a. 538 s. 271; 1989 a. 31, 324; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 227; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2013 a. 20.

62.234 Annotation This section contains no prohibition against imposing municipal fees for services in connection with erosion control projects. It does not mandate that fees be listed “within the four corners” of the ordinance. The statute does not mention fees. Sub. (4) (c) states that an ordinance adopted under s. 62.23 that relates to construction site erosion control at sites where the construction activities do not include the construction of a building or to storm water management regulation is superseded by an ordinance adopted under this section. A fee schedule adopted via resolution was not an ordinance enacted under s. 62.23 and was not superseded by the city’s erosion control ordinance. Edgerton Contractors, Inc. v. City of Wauwatosa, 2010 WI App 45, 324 Wis. 2d 256, 781 N.W.2d 228, 09-1042.

62.237 62.237 Municipal mortgage housing assistance.

62.237(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

62.237(1)(a) (a) “Debt service” means the amount due of principal, interest and premium for mortgage revenue bonds or revenue bonds issued under this section.

62.237(1)(b) (b) “Dwelling” means any structure used or intended to be used for habitation with up to 2 separate units certified for occupancy by the city. “Dwelling” also means any housing cooperative incorporated under ch. 185 or 193.

62.237(1)(c) (c) “Lending institution” means any private business issuing home mortgages.

62.237(1)(d) (d) “Municipality” means any city with a population greater than 75,000.

62.237(1)(e) (e) “Owner-occupied dwelling” means a dwelling in which the owner occupies or will occupy any unit.

62.237(2) (2) Issuing loans.

62.237(2)(a) (a) The legislative body of any municipality may adopt a resolution, authorizing the municipality to:

62.237(2)(a)1. 1. Issue mortgage loans with an interest rate less than the lowest rate available at lending institutions within the municipality, for the purchase or construction of any owner-occupied dwelling located within an area described in sub. (3). Financing for rehabilitation or home improvements may be made available as part of these loans.

62.237(2)(a)2. 2. Issue loans to any lending institution within the municipality that agrees to loan the money at designated terms for the purchase, purchase and rehabilitation or construction of any owner-occupied dwelling located within an area described in sub. (3).

62.237(2)(a)3. 3. Foreclose any mortgage and sell the mortgaged property for collection purposes if the mortgagor defaults on the payment of principal and interest of a loan issued under this section.

62.237(2)(b) (b) The resolution shall designate each area in which dwellings are eligible for loans.

62.237(2)(c) (c) No loan may be issued to purchase, purchase and rehabilitate or construct a dwelling that violates applicable provisions of the one- and 2-family dwelling code under ss. 101.60 to 101.66, or that violates any ordinance the municipality adopts regulating the dwelling. If the dwelling is found to be violating the dwelling code or any ordinance after issuance of the loan, the loan shall default. The municipality may require the full loan to become due or may increase the interest rate to the maximum allowable. The municipality may defer imposing a penalty for up to one year after the violation is found to exist.

62.237(3) (3) Eligible areas. Owner-occupied dwellings in any area of the municipality are eligible for loans under this section if any 2 of the following conditions exist:

62.237(3)(a) (a) The median assessed property value of one- and 2-family dwellings in the area is less than or equal to 80 percent of the median assessed property value of one- and 2-family dwellings in the municipality.

62.237(3)(b) (b) The median family income of the area is less than or equal to 80 percent of the median family income of the municipality.

62.237(3)(c) (c) The proportion of owner-occupied dwellings in the area is less than or equal to 80 percent of the proportion of owner-occupied dwellings in the municipality.

62.237(3)(d) (d) The vacancy rate of dwellings in the area is greater than or equal to 120 percent of the vacancy rate of dwellings in the municipality.

62.237(4) (4) Revenue bonding.

62.237(4)(a) (a) The governing body of any municipality may issue revenue bonds by resolution, to finance low-interest mortgage loans under this section. The resolution shall state the maximum dollar amount of authorized bonds and the purpose for which the municipality may issue the bonds. The resolution shall state the terms, form and content of the bonds. These bonds may be registered under s. 67.09.

62.237(4)(b) (b) Debt service is payable solely from revenues received from the loans issued under this section. No mortgage revenue bond or revenue bond issued under this section is a debt of the municipality or a charge against the city’s general credit or taxing powers. The municipality shall plainly state the provisions of this paragraph on the face of each mortgage revenue bond or revenue bond.

62.237(4)(c) (c) The municipality shall use revenues from payment of the principal and interest of loans issued under this section to pay debt service. The municipality shall use any excess revenues to pay other costs accruing from the issuance of the loans. The municipality shall deposit any remaining revenues in a revolving fund of the municipal treasury, to use for additional loans under this section.

62.237(4)(d) (d) The resolution may authorize appointment of a receiver to collect interest and principal on loans issued under this section for paying debt service, if the municipality defaults on paying debt service.

62.237 History History: 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 24, 27, 207; 1999 a. 150 s. 378; Stats. 1999 s. 62.237; 2005 a. 441.

62.25 62.25 Claims and actions.

62.25(1) (1) Claims. No action may be brought or maintained against a city upon a claim or cause of action unless the claimant complies with s. 893.80. This subsection does not apply to actions commenced under s. 19.37, 19.97 or 281.99.

62.25(2) (2) Actions.

62.25(2)(a) (a) Damages, if any, in an action against a city officer in the officer’s official capacity, except the action directly involve the title to the officer’s office, shall not be awarded against such officer, but may be awarded against the city.

62.25(2)(b) (b) In an action to restrain payment by a city for work performed or material furnished, the plaintiff shall give a bond conditioned for payment to the claimant, if the action is finally determined in the claimant’s favor, of damages caused by the delay, including expense incurred in the action, and interest. The bond shall be with 2 sureties to be approved by the court, and in an amount fixed by the court and sufficient to cover all probable damages.

62.25(2)(d) (d) No person shall be ineligible to sit as judge, justice or juror in an action to which the city is a party, by reason of being an inhabitant of the city.

62.25 History History: 1977 c. 285; 1979 c. 323 s. 33; 1991 a. 316; 1995 a. 158, 225; 1997 a. 27.

62.25 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 62.12 (8) as to filing claims and demands against the city.

62.25 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 66.0609 for an alternative system of approving claims.

62.25 Annotation An action against a municipality based on a filed “claim” that did not state a dollar amount must be dismissed. The fact that the city council denied the claim did not bar the defense. By purchasing liability insurance, the city did not waive the protection of the statute. Sambs v. Nowak, 47 Wis. 2d 158, 177 N.W.2d 144 (1970).

62.25 Annotation Sub. (1) is applicable to a counterclaim for money damages in a lawsuit commenced by a city. City of Milwaukee v. Milwaukee Civic Developments, Inc., 71 Wis. 2d 647, 239 N.W.2d 44 (1976).

62.25 Annotation Nothing in either this chapter or ch. 120 precludes a school board from qualifying as a proper “claimant” under this section. Joint School District No. 1 v. City of Chilton, 78 Wis. 2d 52, 253 N.W.2d 879 (1977).

62.25 Annotation This section does not apply to a claim for equitable relief. Kaiser v. City of Mauston, 99 Wis. 2d 345, 299 N.W.2d 259 (Ct. App. 1980).

62.26 62.26 General provisions.

62.26(1) (1) Laws in force. The general laws for the government of cities, villages and towns, the assessment and collection of taxes, the preservation of public and private property, highways, roads and bridges, the punishment of offenders, the collection of penalties and the manner of conducting elections shall be in force in all cities organized under this subchapter except as otherwise provided under this subchapter.

62.26(2) (2) Equity in land. The acquisition or retention by a city of an equity of redemption in lands shall not create any liability on the part of the city to pay any bonds issued or mortgage or trust deed upon such lands executed prior to the acquisition by the city of such equity.

62.26(3) (3) Forms. The use of any forms prescribed by the statutes of this state, as far as the same are applicable, shall be as legal and of the same force and effect as the use of the forms prescribed by this subchapter.

62.26(4) (4) Rewards. When any heinous offense or crime has been committed against life or property within any city the mayor, with the consent of a majority of the alderpersons, may offer a reward for the apprehension of the criminal or perpetrator of such offense.

62.26(6) (6) Cities in more than one county. In cities lying in more than one county the following shall apply:

62.26(6)(b) (b) Accused persons may be put in custody of an officer or committed to the jail of the city or of the county where the offense was committed.

62.26(6)(d) (d) Officers of the city, who by law have the powers of constables in the county in which the city is located, shall have such powers in either county.

62.26(7) (7) Change of city name. The name of any city of the fourth class shall be changed if a majority of the electors shall address a written petition therefor to the council designating the new name, and the council shall by a two-thirds vote of all the members adopt an ordinance changing to such new name. The change shall be in effect upon publication of the ordinance in the official paper, and the filing of a copy thereof with the secretary of administration.

62.26 History History: 1977 c. 151; 1993 a. 184; 2015 a. 55.

subch. II of ch. 62 SUBCHAPTER II

FIRST CLASS CITIES

62.50 62.50 Police and fire departments in 1st class cities.

62.50(1e) (1e) Definition. In this section, “offense” means any felony or Class A or Class B misdemeanor violation of any of the following:

62.50(1e)(a) (a) Chapters 940 and 941.

62.50(1e)(b) (b) Section 942.08.

62.50(1e)(c) (c) Section 942.09.

62.50(1e)(d) (d) Chapters 943 to 948.

62.50(1h) (1h) Organization. In all 1st class cities, however incorporated, there shall be a board of fire and police commissioners, consisting of either 7 or 9 citizens, not more than 3, if the board has 7 members, or 4, if the board has 9 members, of whom shall at any time belong to the same political party. At least one member of the board shall be selected from a list submitted under sub. (1j) by the employee association that represents nonsupervisory law enforcement officers and at least one member shall be selected from a list submitted under sub. (1j) by the employee association that represents fire fighters. For an appointment that is required to be selected from a list under this subsection, the mayor shall make the appointment within 45 days after receiving a list under sub. (1j). The staff and members of the board shall receive the salary or other compensation for their services fixed by the common council. The salary shall be fixed at the same time and in the same manner as the salary of other city officials and employees. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a majority of the members-elect, as that term is used in s. 59.001 (2m), of the board shall constitute a quorum necessary for the transaction of business. A 3-member panel of the board may conduct, and decide by majority vote, a trial described under sub. (12) or may hear and decide, by majority vote, charges filed by an aggrieved person under sub. (19). It shall be the duty of the mayor of the city, on or before the 2nd Monday in July, to appoint 7, or 9, members of the board, designating the term of office of each, one to hold one year, 2 to hold 2 years, 2 to hold 3 years, one to hold 4 years if the board has 7 members, and 2 to hold 4 years if the board has 9 members, and one to hold 5 years if the board has 7 members, and 2 to hold 5 years if the board has 9 members, and until their respective successors shall be appointed and qualified. Thereafter the terms of office shall be 5 years from the 2nd Monday in July, and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The mayor may reduce the size of the board from 9 to 7 members by failing to appoint 2 successors for individuals whose terms expire at the same time. Every person appointed a member of the board shall be subject to confirmation by the common council and every appointed member shall, before entering upon the duties of the office take and subscribe the oath of office prescribed by article IV, section 28, of the constitution, and file the same duly certified by the officer administering it, with the clerk of the city. A member of the board may not continue in office after the expiration of his or her term unless the member is reappointed to the board and confirmed by the common council. Not later than the first day of the 7th month beginning after a member appointed by the mayor is confirmed by the common council, the member shall enroll in a training class that is related to the mission of the board and, not later than the first day of the 13th month beginning after a member appointed by the mayor is confirmed by the common council, the member shall complete the class. The training class shall be conducted by the city. Appointments made prior to the time this subchapter first applies to a 1st class city shall not be subject to confirmation by the common council.

62.50(1j) (1j) Selection of certain board members. Lists of individuals submitted under sub. (1h) by the employee association that represents nonsupervisory law enforcement officers and the employee association that represents fire fighters for selection shall each contain 3 names. Individuals included in a list under this subsection by an employee association that represents nonsupervisory law enforcement officers or fire fighters shall have professional law enforcement experience or professional fire fighting experience, respectively, and shall be at least 5 years removed from service as a professional law enforcement officer or fire fighter, respectively. Individuals included in a list under this subsection shall be residents of the 1st class city and may not be currently employed by the 1st class city. A list under this subsection shall be provided not more than 3 months after the occurrence of a vacancy in a position to be filled by selection from a list under this subsection.

62.50(1m) (1m) Policy review. The board shall conduct at least once each year a policy review of all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments of the city and may advise the common council regarding any recommended policy changes. The board may inspect any property of the departments, including but not limited to books and records, required for a review under this section.

62.50(2) (2) Control of appointments. No person may be appointed to any position either on the police force or in the fire department of the city, except with the approval of the board.

62.50(3) (3) Regulation of the departments.

62.50(3)(a) (a) The chief of each department shall establish policies relating to the control and management of each department.

62.50(3)(am) (am) The common council may suspend or modify any policy established under par. (a) only upon a two-thirds vote of all of the members of the common council.

62.50(3)(b) (b) The board shall adopt rules to govern the selection and appointment of persons employed in the police and fire departments of the city. The rules shall be designed to secure the best service for the public in each department. The rules shall provide for ascertaining, as far as possible, physical qualifications, standing and experience of all applicants for positions, and may provide for the competitive examination of some or all applicants in such subjects as are deemed proper for the purpose of best determining the applicants’ qualifications for the position sought. The rules may provide for the classification of positions in the service and for a special course of inquiry and examination for candidates for each class.