Updated : 04/22/2024
Overview
The city of Milwaukee, Wi. adopted the Uniform Dwelling Code, SPS chs. 320–325. Milwaukee Muni. Code Ch. 240 § 240-01 (accessed 4/3/2015). The state code applies to new construction, additions and alterations for buildings constructed after 1980; Milwaukee extends the residential code to pre-1980 buildings and provides a method of appeal if the requirements create an undue burden. Id. at 240.03.
Milwaukee expressly adopts Wis. Adm. Code § 362 Buildings and Structures, which adopts amendments to the 2009 IBC. Milwaukee Muni. Code Ch. 262 § 262-01 (accessed 4/3/2015). Other sections of the CBC are adopted in different sections of the Building and Zoning Code. SPS 361 (Administration and Enforcement) of the CBC is adopted at § 200-02 (same title); SPS 363 (Energy Conservation) of the CBC is adopted at § 263-01 (same title); SPS 364 and SPS 345 (HVAC and refrigeration) of the CBC is adopted at § 264-01 (same title); SPS 365 (Fuel Gas Appliances) of the CBC is adopted at § 265-01 (same title). However SPS 366 is not included in the Milwaukee building code. We are currently looking into the legitimacy of this code alteration.
The codes in the International Fire Code and the Wisconsin Administrative Codes that are adopted by reference are the most current edition of the referenced code and any subsequent editions of the referenced codes. Madison General Ordinances, Chptr. 34 – Fire Prevention Code, § 34.01(13)(a) (accessed 4/2/2015).
Helpful resources for Milwaukee, Wisconsin include the following.
Residential Building Code
Wisconsin adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control. Authority for local amendments will be limited.See PLRB,
Wisconsin Building Codes for more information on state level codes.
Milwaukee adopted the Wisconsin Uniform Residential CodeYou can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.
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Comments
The city of Milwaukee, Wi. adopted the Uniform Dwelling Code, SPS chs. 320–325. Milwaukee Muni. Code Ch. 240 § 240-01 (accessed 4/3/2015). The state code applies to new construction, additions and alterations for buildings constructed after 1980; Milwaukee extends the residential code to pre-1980 buildings and provides a method of appeal if the requirements create an undue burden. Id. at 240.03.
Existing Buildings
Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of
construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.
The state code applies only to new construction, additions and alterations for buildings constructed after 1980; Milwaukee extends the residential code to pre-1980 buildings and provides a method of appeal if the requirements create an undue burden. Milwaukee Muni. Code Ch. 240 § 240.03.
Commercial Building Code
Milwaukee adopted the 1996 BOCA National Building CodeYou can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.
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Comments
Milwaukee expressly adopts Wis. Adm. Code § 362 Buildings and Structures, which adopts amendments to the 2009 IBC. Milwaukee Muni. Code Ch. 262 (accessed 11/20/2013). As of (3/25/2015) the city's online code of ordinances has not been updated to show any acknowledgment in the changes established by the 2013 Act 270. However, as required by Act 270 the DSPS maintains a centrally located database with all the grandfathered ordinances for each jurisdiction, which provides the following ordinances:
CHAPTER 214 FIRE PREVENTION
214-23. Battery-Operated Smoke Alarms.
1. TYPE. Every battery-operated smoke alarm shall be powered by 10-year or more non-removable batteries. Compliance with this requirement shall be met when replacing an existing battery operated unit according to the manufacturer's recommended replacement date or by October 1, 2017, whichever is sooner.
2. SILENCING SWITCH. Any smoke alarm located within 20 feet of the primary cooking appliance within the unit shall have a silencing switch.
214-27. Smoke Detectors and Smoke Alarms for Residential Dwellings Built Prior to January 1, 1983.
1. DEFINITION. In this section, "residential building" means any one-family dwelling or 2-family dwelling, or any public building which is used for sleeping or lodging purposes and includes any apartment house, rooming house, hotel, children's home, community-based residential facility or dormitory but does not include a hospital or nursing home.
2. NUMBER AND LOCATION. Every dwelling unit in a residential building constructed prior to January 1, 1983 shall be provided with approved listed and labeled smoke detectors or alarms sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion, installed in a manner and location consistent with their listing. A minimum of one smoke detector or alarm shall be installed in the basement and on each floor level except in an unfinished attic or storage area, and not in a kitchen. For floor levels containing a sleeping area, the required detector or alarm shall be installed within 6 feet of the sleeping area. If a floor level contains 2 or more separate sleeping areas, each sleeping area shall be provided with a smoke detector or alarm. Every residential building other than a one-or 2-family dwelling shall have a functional smoke detector or alarm at the head of every stairway on each floor level in the building.
3. TYPE. Smoke detectors and alarms required under this section shall be single station devices; either battery operated as provided in s. 214-23, plug-in or directed wired A/C units unless otherwise required by the code.
4. RESPONSIBILITY. The owner shall install any smoke detector required under this section according to the directions and specifications of the manufacturer of the smoke detector. The owner shall maintain any such smoke detector that is located in a common area of the building. The occupant of a dwelling unit shall maintain any smoke detector in that unit unless the occupant gives written notice to the owner of the unit that the smoke detector is not functional. The owner shall provide, within 5 days of receipt of such notice, any maintenance necessary to make the smoke detector functional.
5. TAMPERING PROHIBITED.
a. No tenant, co-tenant or any other person may tamper with a smoke detector to:
a-1. Render it inoperable or in any other way cause it to be in other than good working order.
a-2. Remove it from its installed location, unless a functioning replacement detector has previously been installed.
a-3. Remove batteries, except to immediately replace them.
b. No tenant, co-tenant or any other person may suffer or permit, or by inefficient control allow any violation of par. a.
CHAPTER 236 HAZARDOUS OCCUPANCIES
236-01. Adoption of State Code. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the city of Milwaukee adopts chs. SPS 310, 340 and 343, Wis. Adm. Code, as amended, as part of this code.
CHAPTER 251 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
251-1. Adoption of State Code. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the city of Milwaukee adopts s. SPS 361.05, Wis. Adm. Code, as amended, and ss. 145.01(1), (2), and (4), 145.15(4), 145.165, and 145.175, Wis. Stats., as amended, as part of this code.
251-9. Fire Department and First Aid Standpipe Systems.
1. CONTROL VALVES. Standpipe control valves shall be located no higher than the first story and shall be properly identified.
2. CONNECTION TO DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY. Where a fire protection standpipe connection to a domestic water supply is permitted, it shall be made after the water meter and ahead of the first domestic branch, unless otherwise approved by the commissioner of city development. The connection shall be equipped with an approved indicating valve, a backflow protection device, a pressure gauge and a drain valve.
251-11. Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems.
1. WATER SUPPLY.
a. General Requirements. Water supply connections, piping, and tanks shall be installed according to Milwaukee water works regulations. Recessed indicating valves shall be prohibited. Sprinkler systems containing a total of 20 or fewer sprinkler heads may be connected to domestic water piping if adequate pressure and flow are available.
b. Connection to Domestic Water Supply. Where a sprinkler system connection to a domestic water supply is permitted, such connection shall be made after the water meter and ahead of the first domestic branch, unless otherwise approved by the commissioner of city development. The connection shall be equipped with an approved indicating valve, a backflow protection device, a pressure gauge and a drain valve.
2. SPRINKLER ALARMS.
a. Installation. The sprinkler contractor shall be responsible for the installation of an alarm bell and identification sign.
b. Location. The alarm bell, identification sign and fire department connection may be located only on an exterior building wall which fronts on a street. These items shall be located in close proximity to one another, so that the alarm will indicate the location of the fire department connection to the fire department.
Note: See s. 236-11-4-d-2 for the fire protection requirements for spray booths.
Note: See NFPA 25 for sprinkler head replacement requirements.
(PDF version here)
Existing Buildings
Milwaukee does not seem to have expressly adopted the IEBC. However, the state has adopted the 2009 IEBC. Milwaukee enforces the State building codes pursuant to Milwaukee Muni. Code Chapter 8. So, the 2009 IEBC would seemingly be applicable.
