Chapter 66

66.0409(1) (1) In this section:

66.0409(1)(a) (a) “Firearm” has the meaning given in s. 167.31 (1) (c) and includes an airgun, as defined in s. 29.001 (7).

66.0409(1)(b) (b) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town or county.

66.0409(1)(c) (c) “Sport shooting range” means an area designed and operated for the practice of weapons used in hunting, skeet shooting and similar sport shooting.

66.0409(2) (2) Except as provided in subs. (3) and (4), no political subdivision may enact or enforce an ordinance or adopt a resolution that regulates the sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer, ownership, use, keeping, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration, or taxation of any knife or any firearm or part of a firearm, including ammunition and reloader components, unless the ordinance or resolution is the same as or similar to, and no more stringent than, a state statute.

66.0409(3) (3) 

66.0409(3)(a) (a) Nothing in this section prohibits a county from imposing a sales tax or use tax under subch. V of ch. 77 on any knife or any firearm or part of a firearm, including ammunition and reloader components, sold in the county.

66.0409(3)(b) (b)

66.0409(3)(b)1. 1. Nothing in this section prohibits a city, village or town that is authorized to exercise village powers under s. 60.22 (3) from enacting an ordinance or adopting a resolution that restricts the discharge of a firearm.

66.0409(3)(b)2. 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., any ordinance or resolution that restricts the discharge of a firearm does not apply and may not be enforced if the actor’s conduct is justified or, had it been subject to a criminal penalty, would have been subject to a defense described in s. 939.45.

66.0409(3)(b)3. 3. Notwithstanding subd. 1., any ordinance or resolution that restricts the honorary discharge of a firearm that involves the use of only blanks and that is part of any of the following does not apply and may not be enforced:

66.0409(3)(b)3.a. a. An event, including a funeral, honoring a current or former member of the military, law enforcement officer, or professional fire fighter.

66.0409(3)(b)3.b. b. Military honors provided at a cemetery on Memorial Day or Veterans Day.

66.0409(3)(b)3.c. c. Military honors provided at a veterans memorial site.

66.0409(3)(c) (c) Nothing in this section prohibits a political subdivision from enacting or enforcing an ordinance or adopting a resolution that prohibits the possession of a knife in a building, or part of a building, that is owned, occupied, or controlled by the political subdivision.

66.0409(4) (4) 

66.0409(4)(a) (a) Nothing in this section prohibits a political subdivision from continuing to enforce an ordinance or resolution that is in effect on November 18, 1995, and that regulates the sale, purchase, transfer, ownership, use, keeping, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration or taxation of any firearm or part of a firearm, including ammunition and reloader components, if the ordinance or resolution is the same as or similar to, and no more stringent than, a state statute.

66.0409(4)(am) (am) Nothing in this section prohibits a political subdivision from continuing to enforce until November 30, 1998, an ordinance or resolution that is in effect on November 18, 1995, and that requires a waiting period of not more than 7 days for the purchase of a handgun.

66.0409(4)(b) (b) If a political subdivision has in effect on November 17, 1995, an ordinance or resolution that regulates the sale, purchase, transfer, ownership, use, keeping, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permitting, registration or taxation of any firearm or part of a firearm, including ammunition and reloader components, and the ordinance or resolution is not the same as or similar to a state statute, the ordinance or resolution shall have no legal effect and the political subdivision may not enforce the ordinance or resolution on or after November 18, 1995.

66.0409(4)(c) (c) Nothing in this section prohibits a political subdivision from enacting and enforcing a zoning ordinance that regulates the new construction of a sport shooting range or when the expansion of an existing sport shooting range would impact public health and safety.

66.0409(5) (5) A county ordinance that is enacted or a county resolution that is adopted by a county under sub. (2) or a county ordinance or resolution that remains in effect under sub. (4) (a) or (am) applies only in those towns in the county that have not enacted an ordinance or adopted a resolution under sub. (2) or that continue to enforce an ordinance or resolution under sub. (4) (a) or (am), except that this subsection does not apply to a sales or use tax that is imposed under subch. V of ch. 77.

66.0409(6) (6) Unless other facts and circumstances that indicate a criminal or malicious intent on the part of the person apply, no person may be in violation of, or be charged with a violation of, an ordinance of a political subdivision relating to disorderly conduct or other inappropriate behavior for loading a firearm, or for carrying or going armed with a firearm or a knife, without regard to whether the firearm is loaded or the firearm or the knife is concealed or openly carried. Any ordinance in violation of this subsection does not apply and may not be enforced.

66.0409 History History: 1995 a. 72; 1999 a. 150 s. 260; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0409; 2011 a. 35; 2015 a. 149; 2019 a. 124; 2023 a. 115.

66.0409 Annotation This section does not prohibit municipalities from enacting and enforcing zoning ordinances that apply to sport shooting ranges. Town of Avon v. Oliver, 2002 WI App 97, 253 Wis. 2d 647, 644 N.W.2d 260, 01-1851.

66.0409 Annotation The scope of legislative activity covered by “ordinances” and “resolutions” extends to formal and informal enactments that address matters both general and specific in a manner meant to be either temporary or permanent and that can be characterized as administrative or otherwise, regardless of how they may be denominated. There is no legislative action a municipality could take that would not come within the ambit of ordinance or resolution. If a statute removes the authority of a municipality’s governing body to adopt an ordinance or resolution on a particular subject, the governing body loses all legislative authority on that subject. Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2017 WI 19, 373 Wis. 2d 543, 892 N.W.2d 233, 15-0146.

66.0409 Annotation Under sub. (2), the legislature has withdrawn from municipalities all authority to legislate on the possession, bearing, or transportation of any knife or any firearm unless the legislation is the same as or similar to, and no more stringent than, a state statute. Because a municipality cannot delegate what it does not have, a municipality is entirely powerless to authorize any of its subunits to legislate on this subject. Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2017 WI 19, 373 Wis. 2d 543, 892 N.W.2d 233, 15-0146.

66.0409 Annotation This section forbids a municipality from forbidding weapons on its buses when otherwise carried in conformance with the law. To the extent that a municipality previously had a property-based right to exclude riders in possession of weapons, that right ceased with the advent of this section. Wisconsin Carry, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2017 WI 19, 373 Wis. 2d 543, 892 N.W.2d 233, 15-0146.

66.0410 66.0410 Local regulation of ticket reselling.

66.0410(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

66.0410(1)(a) (a) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town, or county.

66.0410(1)(b) (b) “Ticket” means a ticket that is sold to an entertainment or sporting event.

66.0410(2) (2) Reselling of tickets.

66.0410(2)(a) (a) A political subdivision may not enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution and the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System may not promulgate a rule or adopt a resolution prohibiting the resale of any ticket for an amount that is equal to or less than the ticket’s face value.

66.0410(2)(b) (b) If a political subdivision or the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System has in effect on April 22, 2004 an ordinance, rule, or resolution that is inconsistent with par. (a), the ordinance, rule, or resolution does not apply and may not be enforced.

66.0410 History History: 2003 a. 191.

66.0411 66.0411 Sound-producing devices; impoundment; seizure and forfeiture.

66.0411(1) (1) In this section, “sound-producing device” does not include a piece of equipment or machinery that is designed for agricultural purposes and that is being used in the conduct of agricultural operations.

66.0411(1m) (1m) 

66.0411(1m)(a) (a) Any city, village, town or county may, by ordinance, authorize a law enforcement officer, at the time of issuing a citation for a violation of s. 346.94 (16) or a local ordinance in strict conformity with s. 346.94 (16) or any other local ordinance prohibiting excessive noise, to impound any radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device used in the commission of the violation if the person charged with such violation is the owner of the radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device and has 2 or more prior convictions within a 3-year period of s. 346.94 (16) or a local ordinance in strict conformity with s. 346.94 (16) or any other local ordinance prohibiting excessive noise. The ordinance may provide for impoundment of a vehicle for not more than 5 working days to permit the city, village, town or county or its authorized agent to remove the radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device if the vehicle is owned by the person charged with the violation and the sound-producing device may not be easily removed from the vehicle. Upon removal of the sound-producing device, an impounded vehicle shall be returned to its rightful owner.

66.0411(1m)(b) (b) The ordinance under par. (a) may provide for recovery by the city, village, town or county of the cost of impounding the sound-producing device and, if a vehicle is impounded, the cost of impounding the vehicle and removing the sound-producing device. The ordinance under par. (a) shall provide that, upon disposition of the forfeiture action for the violation of s. 346.94 (16) or a local ordinance in strict conformity with s. 346.94 (16) or any other local ordinance prohibiting excessive noise and payment of any forfeiture imposed, the sound-producing device shall be returned to its rightful owner.

66.0411(1m)(c) (c) The city, village, town or county may dispose of any impounded sound-producing device or, following the procedure for an abandoned vehicle under s. 342.40, any impounded vehicle which has remained unclaimed for a period of 90 days after disposition of the forfeiture action.

66.0411(1m)(d) (d) This subsection does not apply to a radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device on a motorcycle.

66.0411(2) (2) 

66.0411(2)(a) (a) Notwithstanding sub. (1m), any city, village, town or county may, by ordinance, authorize a law enforcement officer, at the time of issuing a citation for a violation of s. 346.94 (16) or a local ordinance in strict conformity with s. 346.94 (16) or any other local ordinance prohibiting excessive noise, to seize any radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device used in the commission of the violation if the person charged with such violation is the owner of the radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device and has 3 or more prior convictions within a 3-year period of s. 346.94 (16) or a local ordinance in strict conformity with s. 346.94 (16) or any other local ordinance prohibiting excessive noise.

66.0411(2)(b) (b) The ordinance under par. (a) may provide for impoundment of a vehicle for not more than 5 working days to permit the city, village, town or county or its authorized agent to remove the radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device if the vehicle is owned by the person charged with the violation and the sound-producing device may not be easily removed from the vehicle. Upon removal of the sound-producing device, an impounded vehicle shall be returned to its rightful owner upon payment of the reasonable costs of impounding the vehicle and removing the sound-producing device.

66.0411(2)(c) (c) The ordinance under par. (a) shall include provisions that treat any seized sound-producing device in substantially the manner provided in ss. 973.075 (3), 973.076 and 973.077 for property realized through the commission of any crime, except that the sound-producing device shall remain in the custody of the applicable law enforcement agency; a district attorney or city, village or town attorney, whichever is applicable, shall institute the forfeiture proceedings; and, if the sound-producing device is sold by the law enforcement agency, all proceeds of the sale shall be retained by the applicable city, village, town or county.

66.0411(2)(d) (d) The city, village, town or county may, following the procedure for an abandoned vehicle under s. 342.40, dispose of any impounded vehicle which has remained unclaimed for a period of 90 days after disposition of the forfeiture action.

66.0411(2)(e) (e) This subsection does not apply to a radio, electric sound amplification device or other sound-producing device on a motorcycle.

66.0411 History History: 1995 a. 373; 1999 a. 150 s. 613; Stats. 1999 s. 66.0411.

66.0412 66.0412 Local regulation of real estate brokers, brokerage services.

66.0412(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

66.0412(1)(a) (a) “Broker” means a real estate broker licensed under ch. 452.

66.0412(1)(b) (b) “Local governmental unit” has the meaning given in s. 66.0131 (1) (a).

66.0412(1)(c) (c) “Political subdivision” means any city, village, town, or county.

66.0412(2) (2) Regulation of brokers, brokerage services.

66.0412(2)(a) (a) A local governmental unit may not enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution that does any of the following:

66.0412(2)(a)1. 1. In relation to the provision of real estate services, imposes any fees on brokers or on real estate brokerage services.

66.0412(2)(a)2. 2. Imposes any regulations on the professional services provided by a broker or by a person who provides real estate brokerage services.

66.0412(2)(b) (b) If a local governmental unit has in effect on July 2, 2013, an ordinance or resolution that is inconsistent with par. (a), the ordinance or resolution does not apply and may not be enforced.

66.0412 History History: 2013 a. 20.

66.0413 66.0413 Razing buildings.

66.0413(1) (1) Authority and procedure.

66.0413(1)(a) (a) Definitions. In this subsection:

66.0413(1)(a)1. 1. “Building” includes any building or structure or any portion of a building or structure.

66.0413(1)(a)2. 2. “Raze a building” means to demolish and remove the building and to restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition.

66.0413(1)(b) (b) Raze order. The governing body, building inspector or other designated officer of a municipality may:

66.0413(1)(b)1. 1. Except as provided in sub. (5), if a building is old, dilapidated, or out of repair and consequently dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise unfit for human habitation and unreasonable to repair, order the owner of the building to raze the building or, if the building can be made safe by reasonable repairs, order the owner to either make the building safe and sanitary or to raze the building, at the owner’s option.

66.0413(1)(b)2. 2. If there has been a cessation of normal construction of a building for a period of more than 2 years, order the owner of the building to raze the building.

66.0413(1)(br) (br) Notice of unfitness for occupancy or use; penalty.

66.0413(1)(br)1. 1. If a building subject to an order under par. (b) is unsanitary and unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use and is not in danger of structural collapse, the building inspector or other designated officer shall post a placard on the premises containing the following notice: “This Building May Not Be Used For Human Habitation, Occupancy or Use.” The building inspector or other designated officer shall prohibit use of the building for human habitation, occupancy or use until necessary repairs have been made.

66.0413(1)(br)2. 2. Any person who rents, leases or occupies a building which has been condemned for human habitation, occupancy or use under subd. 1. shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $50 or imprisoned not more than 30 days for each week of the violation, or both.

66.0413(1)(c) (c) Reasonableness of repair; presumption. Except as provided in subs. (3) and (5), if a municipal governing body, building inspector, or designated officer determines that the cost of repairs of a building described in par. (b) 1. would exceed 50 percent of the assessed value of the building divided by the ratio of the assessed value to the recommended value as last published by the department of revenue for the municipality within which the building is located, the repairs are presumed unreasonable for purposes of par. (b) 1.

66.0413(1)(d) (d) Service of order. An order under par. (b) shall be served on the owner of record of the building that is subject to the order or on the owner’s agent if the agent is in charge of the building in the same manner as a summons is served in circuit court. An order under par. (b) shall be served on the holder of an encumbrance of record by 1st class mail at the holder’s last-known address and by publication as a class 1 notice under ch. 985. If the owner and the owner’s agent cannot be found or if the owner is deceased and an estate has not been opened, the order may be served by posting it on the main entrance of the building and by publishing it as a class 1 notice under ch. 985 before the time limited in the order begins to run. The time limited in the order begins to run from the date of service on the owner or owner’s agent or, if the owner and agent cannot be found, from the date that the order was posted on the building.

66.0413(1)(e) (e) Effect of recording order. If a raze order issued under par. (b) is recorded with the register of deeds in the county in which the building is located, the order is considered to have been served, as of the date the raze order is recorded, on any person claiming an interest in the building or the real estate as a result of a conveyance from the owner of record unless the conveyance was recorded before the recording of the raze order.

66.0413(1)(f) (f) Failure to comply with order; razing building. An order under par. (b) shall specify the time within which the owner of the building is required to comply with the order and shall specify repairs, if any. If the owner fails or refuses to comply within the time prescribed, the building inspector or other designated officer may proceed to raze the building through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons, or to secure the building and, if necessary, the property on which the building is located if unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use. The cost of razing or securing the building may be charged in full or in part against the real estate upon which the building is located, and if that cost is so charged it is a lien upon the real estate and may be assessed and collected as a special charge, but may not be assessed and collected as a special tax. Any portion of the cost charged against the real estate that is not reimbursed under s. 632.103 (2) from funds withheld from an insurance settlement may be assessed and collected as a special tax.

66.0413(1)(g) (g) Court order to comply. A municipality, building inspector or designated officer may commence and prosecute an action in circuit court for an order of the court requiring the owner to comply with an order to raze a building issued under this subsection if the owner fails or refuses to do so within the time prescribed in the order, or for an order of the court requiring any person occupying a building whose occupancy has been prohibited under this subsection to vacate the premises, or any combination of the court orders. A hearing on actions under this paragraph shall be given preference. Court costs are in the discretion of the court.

66.0413(1)(h) (h) Restraining order. A person affected by an order issued under par. (b) may within the time provided by s. 893.76 apply to the circuit court for an order restraining the building inspector or other designated officer from razing the building or forever be barred. The hearing shall be held within 20 days and shall be given preference. The court shall determine whether the raze order is reasonable. If the order is found reasonable the court shall dissolve the restraining order. If the order is found not reasonable the court shall continue the restraining order or modify it as the circumstances require. Costs are in the discretion of the court. If the court finds that the order is unreasonable, the building inspector or other designated officer shall issue no other order under this subsection in regard to the same building until its condition is substantially changed. The remedies provided in this paragraph are exclusive remedies and anyone affected by an order issued under par. (b) is not entitled to recover any damages for the razing of the building.

66.0413(1)(i) (i) Removal of personal property. If a building subject to an order under par. (b) contains personal property or fixtures which will unreasonably interfere with the razing or repair of the building or if the razing makes necessary the removal, sale or destruction of the personal property or fixtures, the building inspector or other designated officer may order in writing the removal of the personal property or fixtures by a date certain. The order shall be served as provided in par. (d). If the personal property or fixtures are not removed by the time specified the inspector may store, sell or, if it has no appreciable value, destroy the personal property or fixture. If the property is stored the amount paid for storage is a lien against the property and against the real estate and, to the extent that the amount is not reimbursed under s. 632.103 (2) from funds withheld from an insurance settlement, shall be assessed and collected as a special tax against the real estate if the real estate is owned by the owner of the personal property and fixtures. If the property is stored the owner of the property, if known, shall be notified of the place of storage and if the property is not claimed by the owner it may be sold at the expiration of 6 months after it has been stored. The handling of the sale and the distribution of the net proceeds after deducting the cost of storage and any other costs shall be as specified in par. (j) and a report made to the circuit court as specified in par. (j). A person affected by any order made under this paragraph may appeal as provided in par. (h).

66.0413(1)(j) (j) Sale of salvage. If an order to raze a building has been issued, the governing body or other designated officer under the contract or arrangement to raze the building may sell the salvage and valuable materials at the highest price obtainable. The net proceeds of the sale, after deducting the expenses of razing the building, shall be promptly remitted to the circuit court with a report of the sale or transaction, including the items of expense and the amounts deducted, for the use of any person entitled to the net proceeds, subject to the order of the court. If there remains no surplus to be turned over to the court, the report shall so state.

66.0413(1)(k) (k) Public nuisance procedure. A building which is determined under par. (b) 1. to be old, dilapidated or out of repair and consequently dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation and unreasonable to repair may be proceeded against as a public nuisance under ch. 823.

66.0413(1)(L) (L) Effect of subsection.

66.0413(1)(L)1. 1. Acts of municipal authorities under this subsection do not increase the liability of an insurer.

66.0413(1)(L)2. 2. This section does not limit powers otherwise granted to municipalities by other laws of this state.

66.0413(2) (2) Razing building that is a public nuisance; in rem procedure.

66.0413(2)(a) (a) Definitions. In this subsection:

66.0413(2)(a)1. 1. “Building” means a building, dwelling or structure.

66.0413(2)(a)2. 2. “Public nuisance” means a building that, as a result of vandalism or any other reason, has deteriorated or is dilapidated or blighted to the extent that windows, doors or other openings, plumbing or heating fixtures, or facilities or appurtenances of the building are damaged, destroyed or removed so that the building offends the aesthetic character of the immediate neighborhood and produces blight or deterioration.

66.0413(2)(a)3. 3. “Raze a building” means to demolish and remove the building and to restore the site to a dust-free and erosion-free condition.

66.0413(2)(b) (b) Notification of nuisance. If the owner of a building in a city, village or town permits the building to become a public nuisance, the building inspector or other designated officer of the city, village or town shall issue a written notice of the defect that makes the building a public nuisance. The written notice shall be served on the owner of the building as provided under sub. (1) (d) and shall direct the owner to remedy the defect within 30 days following service.