Residential Code Enforcement Program

Residential Section
4001 S. 6th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53221
(414) 286-2268

Overview of what residential section does
The residential section inspects all residential properties including 1 and 2 family homes, condos and apartments. It enforces the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances on these properties as well as local, state and national fire codes on apartments. It responds to complaints, makes annual fire inspections on apartment buildings and provides support for neighborhood organizations. The companion section to the Residential Section is the Commercial Section which handles mostly businesses.

Complaints about a building
The Department of Neighborhood Services takes in an average of one complaint every hour, 24 hours a day. Handling that volume requires some very specific information from the person making the complaint. See the Complaint Process for more information on how to make a complaint and what is involved. (See TIPS for Tenants below to avoid future problems.)

Power tools for building neighborhoods
The Residential Section helps neighborhoods and encourages using a number of tools that have been developed to help stabilize communities. Here are a few tips we highly recommend for making a safe, stable and affordable neighborhood.

Neighbors can often enhance their blocks by forming a block watch. Crime Prevention information and statistics can be used to alert neighbors to developing problems before they get out of control. Block watches breakdown barriers between neighbors and help unite people in a common cause. The Milwaukee Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau has resources on how to get started.

There are also Neighborhood Guidelines to help introduce a common set of goals and standards to help newcomers become part of the block and to keep absentee landlords informed about who else lives in the neighborhood. These have been developed and effectively used by the Sherman Park Community Association.

One of the most effective tools for stabilizing property values is to do a Neighborhood Housing Survey.pdf. This preemptive strike sends a warning to neighbors whose property begins to show signs of deterioration. It informs owners of their need to make repairs before a formal and binding complaint is made to the Department of Neighborhood Services.

Perhaps one of the most debilitating signs in a neighborhood is graffiti. Some may think of it as art, but that is far from the truth. Graffiti is simply a criminal act. It destroys property, kills jobs, and creates fear and instability. A special brochure has been written to help victims of graffiti. Graffiti Removal Techniques shows step-by-step how to determine the best way to remove the problem. The Milwaukee Christian center, which has a lot of experience at removing graffiti, evaluates many of the recommended materials.

Often landlords can avoid complaints by keeping illegal activity out of their property. The department offers FREE training on a regular basis to those owning or managing properties. See the Landlord Training program for more information.

NEW! Seasonal Heating Problems? Here is a chart of the minimum heating requirements for every commercial occupancy. Once there, use the FIND feature of your browser to go directly to your type of building, i.e., school, office, garage.

Minimum Heating Requirements

RESIDENTIAL BOARD-UP CODE DNS-29A.PDF- If you own a residential property that is boarded and vacant for more than six months, you need to know about this ordinance. It contains details on how to proceed with taking the boards off, listing it for sale, obtaining a permit to rehab it, or demolishing it.

Smoke Detector and Fire Alarm Testing Requirements sheet. PDF

Residential Enforcement Contact

Supervisor -Dave Krey

414-286-5799
E-mail-> dkrey@milwaukee.gov