Chapter 823

823.075(1)(a) (a) “Department” means the department of natural resources.

823.075(1)(b) (b) “Forest” means a parcel of land in which at least 80 percent of the parcel is producing or is capable of producing at least 20 cubic feet of merchantable timber, as defined in s. 77.81 (3), per acre per year.

823.075(1)(c) (c) “Forestry operation” means any activity related to the harvesting, reforestation, and other forest management activities, including thinning, pest control, fertilization, and wildlife management.

823.075(1)(d) (d) “Generally accepted forestry management practices” means forestry management practices that promote sound management of a forest, as determined by the department by rule. The rule promulgated by the department may incorporate by reference the most recent version of the department’s publication known as Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines and identified as publication number PUB-FR-226.

823.075(2) (2) A forestry operation is not a nuisance if the forestry operation alleged to be a nuisance conforms to generally accepted forestry management practices.

823.075(3) (3) A forestry operation that conforms to generally accepted forestry management practices is not a nuisance as a result of any of the following:

823.075(3)(a) (a) A change in ownership or size of a forest.

823.075(3)(b) (b) Cessation or interruption of forestry operations.

823.075(3)(c) (c) Enrollment of all or part of the forest in governmental forestry or conservation programs.

823.075(3)(d) (d) Adoption of new forestry technology.

823.075(4) (4) In any action in which a forestry operation is alleged to be a nuisance, if the party who was alleged to commit the nuisance prevails, the court may award that party the actual and necessary costs incurred in the action and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees.

823.075 History History: 2005 a. 79.

823.08 823.08 Actions against agricultural uses.

823.08(1) (1) Legislative purpose. The legislature finds that development in rural areas and changes in agricultural technology, practices and scale of operation have increasingly tended to create conflicts between agricultural and other uses of land. The legislature believes that, to the extent possible consistent with good public policy, the law should not hamper agricultural production or the use of modern agricultural technology. The legislature therefore deems it in the best interest of the state to establish limits on the remedies available in those conflicts which reach the judicial system. The legislature further asserts its belief that local units of government, through the exercise of their zoning power, can best prevent such conflicts from arising in the future, and the legislature urges local units of government to use their zoning power accordingly.

823.08(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

823.08(2)(a) (a) “Agricultural practice” means any activity associated with an agricultural use.

823.08(2)(b) (b) “Agricultural use” has the meaning given in s. 91.01 (2).

823.08(3) (3) Nuisance actions.

823.08(3)(a) (a) An agricultural use or an agricultural practice may not be found to be a nuisance if all of the following apply:

823.08(3)(a)1. 1. The agricultural use or agricultural practice alleged to be a nuisance is conducted on, or on a public right-of-way adjacent to, land that was in agricultural use without substantial interruption before the plaintiff began the use of property that the plaintiff alleges was interfered with by the agricultural use or agricultural practice.

823.08(3)(a)2. 2. The agricultural use or agricultural practice does not present a substantial threat to public health or safety.

823.08(3)(am) (am) Paragraph (a) applies without regard to whether a change in agricultural use or agricultural practice is alleged to have contributed to the nuisance.

823.08(3)(b) (b) In an action in which an agricultural use or an agricultural practice is found to be a nuisance, the following conditions apply:

823.08(3)(b)1. 1. The relief granted may not substantially restrict or regulate the agricultural use or agricultural practice, unless the agricultural use or agricultural practice is a substantial threat to public health or safety.

823.08(3)(b)2. 2. If the court orders the defendant to take any action to mitigate the effects of the agricultural use or agricultural practice found to be a nuisance, the court shall do all of the following:

823.08(3)(b)2.a. a. Request public agencies having expertise in agricultural matters to furnish the court with suggestions for practices suitable to mitigate the effects of the agricultural use or agricultural practice found to be a nuisance.

823.08(3)(b)2.b. b. Provide the defendant with a reasonable time to take the action directed in the court’s order. The time allowed for the defendant to take the action may not be less than one year after the date of the order unless the agricultural use or agricultural practice is a substantial threat to public health or safety.

823.08(3)(b)3. 3. If the court orders the defendant to take any action to mitigate the effects of the agricultural use or agricultural practice found to be a nuisance, the court may not order the defendant to take any action that substantially and adversely affects the economic viability of the agricultural use, unless the agricultural use or agricultural practice is a substantial threat to public health or safety.

823.08(3)(c) (c)

823.08(3)(c)1. 1. Subject to subd. 2., if a court requests the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or the department of natural resources for suggestions under par. (b) 2. a., the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or the department of natural resources shall advise the court concerning the relevant provisions of the performance standards, prohibitions, conservation practices and technical standards under s. 281.16 (3).

823.08(3)(c)2. 2. If the agricultural use or agricultural practice alleged to be a nuisance was begun before October 14, 1997, a department may advise the court under subd. 1. only if the department determines that cost-sharing is available to the defendant under s. 92.14 or 281.65 or from any other source.

823.08(4) (4) Costs.

823.08(4)(a) (a) In this subsection, “litigation expenses” means the sum of the costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, expert witness and engineering fees necessary to prepare for or participate in an action in which an agricultural use or agricultural practice is alleged to be a nuisance.

823.08(4)(b) (b) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1) and (2), the court shall award litigation expenses to the defendant in any action in which an agricultural use or agricultural practice is alleged to be a nuisance if the agricultural use or agricultural practice is not found to be a nuisance.

823.08 History History: 1981 c. 123; 1995 a. 149; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2009 a. 28.

823.08 Annotation Sub. (4) unequivocally mandates the recovery of reasonable attorney fees. Zink v. Khwaja, 2000 WI App 58, 233 Wis. 2d 691, 608 N.W.2d 394, 99-0149.

823.08 Annotation Protecting the right to farm: Statutory limits on nuisance actions against the farmer. Grossman and Fischer. 1983 WLR 95.

823.08 Annotation Brewing Land Use Conflicts: Wisconsin’s Right to Farm Law. Hanson. Wis. Law. Dec. 2002.

823.085 823.085 Actions against owners or operators of solid waste facilities.

823.085(1) (1) In this section, “solid waste facility” has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (35).

823.085(2) (2) In any action finding a solid waste facility or the operation of a solid waste facility to be a public or private nuisance, if the solid waste facility was licensed under s. 289.31 (1) and was operated in substantial compliance with the license, the plan of operation for the solid waste facility approved by the department of natural resources and the rules promulgated under s. 289.05 (1) that apply to the facility, then all of the following apply:

823.085(2)(a) (a) Notwithstanding s. 823.03, the court may not order closure of the solid waste facility or substantial restriction in the operation of the solid waste facility unless the court determines that the continued operation of the solid waste facility is a threat to public health and safety.

823.085(2)(b) (b) The department of natural resources shall comply with a request by the court to provide suggestions for practices to reduce the offensive aspects of the nuisance.

823.085(2)(c) (c) The amount recovered by any person for damage to real property may not exceed the value of the real property as of the date that the solid waste facility began operation increased by 8 percent per year.

823.085(2)(d) (d) Punitive damages may not be awarded.

823.085 History History: 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 227.

823.09 823.09 Bawdyhouses declared nuisances. Whoever shall erect, establish, continue, maintain, use, occupy or lease any building or part of building, erection or place to be used for the purpose of lewdness, assignation or prostitution, or permit the same to be used, in the state of Wisconsin, shall be guilty of a nuisance and the building, erection, or place, in or upon which such lewdness, assignation or prostitution is conducted, permitted, carried on, continued or exists, and the furniture, fixtures, musical instruments and contents used therewith for the same purpose are declared a nuisance, and shall be enjoined and abated.

823.09 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 762 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 823.09.

823.09 Annotation Fourth degree sexual assault under s. 940.225 (3m) constitutes lewdness and supports a finding of a nuisance. State v. Panno, 151 Wis. 2d 819, 447 N.W.2d 74 (Ct. App. 1989).

823.09 Annotation Read in conjunction with s. 823.11, ss. 823.09 and 823.10 do not violate due process because they provide the opportunity to challenge prima facie evidence that a defendant knowingly permitted prostitution to occur on his property, and also allow the collateral challenge of the underlying prostitution convictions. The statutes also do not violate constitutional rights to freedom of association, the protection against government establishment of religion, and equal protection. State v. Schultz, 218 Wis. 2d 798, 582 N.W.2d 113 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-3414.

823.10 823.10 Disorderly house, action for abatement. If a nuisance, as defined in s. 823.09, exists the district attorney or any citizen of the county may maintain an action in the circuit court in the name of the state to abate the nuisance and to perpetually enjoin every person guilty thereof from continuing, maintaining or permitting the nuisance. All temporary injunctions issued in the actions begun by district attorneys shall be issued without requiring the undertaking specified in s. 813.06, and in actions instituted by citizens it shall be discretionary with the court or presiding judge to issue them without the undertaking. The conviction of any person, of the offense of lewdness, assignation or prostitution committed in the building or part of a building, erection or place shall be sufficient proof of the existence of a nuisance in the building or part of a building, erection or place, in an action for abatement commenced within 60 days after the conviction.

823.10 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 762, 782 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 823.10; 1977 c. 449.

823.10 Annotation Fourth degree sexual assault under s. 940.225 (3m) constitutes lewdness and supports a finding of nuisance. State v. Panno, 151 Wis. 2d 819, 447 N.W.2d 74 (Ct. App. 1989).

823.10 Annotation Read in conjunction with s. 823.11, ss. 823.09 and 823.10 do not violate due process because they provide the opportunity to challenge prima facie evidence that a defendant knowingly permitted prostitution to occur on his property, and also allow a collateral challenge of the underlying prostitution convictions. The statutes also do not violate the freedom of association, the protection against government establishment of religion, and the right to equal protection. State v. Schultz, 218 Wis. 2d 798, 582 N.W.2d 113 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-3414.

823.11 823.11 Evidence; dismissal of action; costs. In actions begun under s. 823.10 the existence of any nuisance defined by s. 823.09 shall constitute prima facie evidence that the owner of the premises affected has permitted the same to be used as a nuisance; and evidence of the general reputation of the place shall be admissible to prove the existence of such nuisance. If the complaint is filed by a citizen, it shall not be dismissed, except upon a sworn statement made by the complainant and the complainant’s attorney, setting forth the reasons why the action should be dismissed, and the dismissal shall be approved by the district attorney of the county in writing or in open court. If the court is of the opinion that the action ought not to be dismissed it may direct the district attorney of the county to prosecute said action to judgment. If the action is brought by a citizen, and the court finds that there was no reasonable ground or cause for said action the costs shall be taxed to such citizen.

823.11 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 762, 782 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 823.11; 1993 a. 486.

823.11 Annotation Read in conjunction with s. 823.11, ss. 823.09 and 823.10 do not violate due process because they provide the opportunity to challenge prima facie evidence that a defendant knowingly permitted prostitution to occur on his property, and also allow the collateral challenge of the underlying prostitution convictions. The statutes also do not violate constitutional rights to freedom of association, the protection against government establishment of religion, and equal protection. State v. Schultz, 218 Wis. 2d 798, 582 N.W.2d 113 (Ct. App. 1998), 97-3414.

823.113 823.113 Drug or criminal gang house a public nuisance.

823.113(1) (1) Any building or structure that is used to facilitate the delivery, distribution or manufacture, as defined in s. 961.01 (6), (9) and (13) respectively, of a controlled substance, as defined in s. 961.01 (4), or a controlled substance analog, as defined in s. 961.01 (4m), and any building or structure where those acts take place, is a public nuisance and may be proceeded against under this section.

823.113(1m) (1m) 

823.113(1m)(a) (a) In this subsection, “criminal gang” has the meaning given in s. 939.22 (9).

823.113(1m)(b) (b) Any building or structure that is used as a meeting place of a criminal gang or that is used to facilitate the activities of a criminal gang, is a public nuisance and may be proceeded against under this section.

823.113(2) (2) If a nuisance exists, the city, town or village where the property is located may maintain an action in the circuit court to abate the nuisance and to perpetually enjoin every person guilty of creating or maintaining the nuisance, the owner, lessee or tenant of the building or structure where the nuisance exists and the owner of the land upon which the building or structure is located, from continuing, maintaining or permitting the nuisance.

823.113(3) (3) If the existence of the nuisance is shown in the action to the satisfaction of the court, either by verified complaint or affidavit, the court shall issue a temporary injunction to abate and prevent the continuance or recurrence of the nuisance, including the issuance of an order requiring the closure of the property. Any temporary injunction issued in an action begun under this subsection shall be issued without requiring the undertaking specified in s. 813.06.

823.113(4) (4) In ruling upon a request for closure, whether for a defined or undefined duration, the court shall consider all of the following factors:

823.113(4)(a) (a) The extent and duration of the nuisance at the time of the request.

823.113(4)(b) (b) Prior efforts by the defendant to comply with previous court orders to abate the nuisance.

823.113(4)(c) (c) The nature and extent of any effect that the nuisance has upon other persons, such as residents or businesses.

823.113(4)(d) (d) The effect of granting the request upon any resident or occupant of the premises who is not named in the action, including the availability of alternative housing or relocation assistance, the pendency of any action to evict a resident or occupant and any evidence of participation by a resident or occupant in the nuisance activity.

823.113 History History: 1989 a. 122; 1993 a. 98; 1995 a. 448.

823.113 Annotation An order under this section for closure and sale of an apartment house did not violate the constitutional protection against excessive fines. City of Milwaukee v. Arrieh, 211 Wis. 2d 764, 565 N.W.2d 291 (Ct. App. 1997), 96-0482.

823.114 823.114 Judgment and order of sale of property.

823.114(1) (1) If the existence of the nuisance is established in an action under s. 823.113, an order of abatement shall be entered as part of the judgment in the case. In that order, the court shall do all of the following:

823.114(1)(a) (a) Direct the removal from the building or structure of all furniture, equipment and other personal property used in the nuisance.

823.114(1)(b) (b) Order the sale of the personal property.

823.114(1)(c) (c) Order the closure of the building or structure for any purpose.

823.114(1)(d) (d) Order the closure of the building or structure until all building code violations are corrected and a new certificate of occupancy is issued if required by the city, town or village within which the property is located and the building or structure is released under s. 823.15 or sold under s. 823.115.

823.114(1)(e) (e) Order the sale of the building or structure and the land upon that it is located or, if the requirements under s. 66.0413 (1) (c) are met, order that the building or structure be razed, the land sold, and the expense of the razing collected under s. 823.06.

823.114(2) (2) Any person breaking and entering or using a building or structure ordered closed under sub. (1) shall be punished for contempt under s. 823.12.

823.114 History History: 1989 a. 122; 1993 a. 213; 2001 a. 30.

823.115 823.115 Sale of property and use of proceeds.

823.115(1) (1) If personal and real property are ordered sold under s. 823.114, and the real property is not released to the owner under s. 823.15, the plaintiff in the action under s. 823.113 shall sell the property at the highest available price. The city, town or village may sell the property at either a public or private sale. The proceeds of the sale shall be applied to the payment of the costs of the action and abatement and any liens on the property, and the balance, if any, paid as provided in sub. (2). The plaintiff may file a notice of the pendency of the action as in actions affecting the title to real estate and if the owner of the building or structure, or the owner of the land upon which the building or structure is located, is found guilty of the nuisance, the judgment for costs of the action not paid out of the proceeds of the sale of the property shall constitute a lien on the real estate prior to any other lien created after the filing of the lis pendens, except a lien under s. 292.31 (8) (i) or 292.81.

823.115(2) (2) Any balance remaining from the proceeds of the sale of property under sub. (1) shall be paid in equal shares to the following agencies or officials for the purposes listed:

823.115(2)(a) (a) The law enforcement agency of the city, town or village that brought the action, to be used for gang-related and drug-related law enforcement activities.

823.115(2)(b) (b) The treasurer of the city, town or village that brought the action, to be placed in a fund that is used to provide grants to organizations for gang abatement and drug and alcohol treatment programs for residents of the city, town or village that brought the action.

823.115(2)(c) (c) The treasurer of the city, town or village that brought the action, to be placed in a fund that is used to provide grants to organizations for housing rehabilitation, neighborhood revitalization and neighborhood crime prevention activities in the city, town or village that brought the action.

823.115 History History: 1989 a. 122; 1993 a. 98, 453; 1995 a. 227; 1997 a. 27.

823.12 823.12 Punishment for violation of injunction. A party found guilty of contempt for the violation of any injunction granted under ss. 823.09 to 823.15 shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than 3 nor more than 6 months or both.

823.12 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 762 (1975), 782; Stats. 1975 s. 823.12.