Port Washington, WI
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FAQs
Residents of the city of Port Washington have the capability of calling 911 in emergencies for police, fire or emergency medical services.
If you need to use 911, stay calm and give your name, address, where the emergency is located, phone number you are calling from and the nature of the emergency.
Please remember - 911 is for emergencies only.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
No person may abandon any vehicle within the city at any place, for such time and under such circumstances as to cause such vehicle reasonably to appear to have been abandoned. No person may leave any partially dismantled, non-operating, wrecked or junked vehicle on any street or highway within the city and no person in charge or control of any property within the city shall allow a vehicle in any of the above conditions to remain on such property in excess of 48 hours.
The Port Washington Police Department may tow and impound vehicles in violation of this ordinance at the expense of the owner.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the Municipal Codes web page.
A permit is required for each alarm system now installed on any premises within the city. Permits are also required prior to installation of any new private alarm system.
A permit fee is $100.00 and is to be paid at the Police Department at the time of application filing. Permits are non-transferable.
In an effort to reduce false alarm calls, a fee is charged to alarm holders in the event more than one false alarm is registered.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
Alcohol beverages are prohibited in all city parks and public grounds, public beaches and parking lots in the city of Port Washington, excepted where noted below.
The possession or consumption of fermented malt beverages and/or wine is allowed during park hours within and upon the following city parks and public grounds at Common Council sanctioned or sponsored events, at Parks and Recreation Board sponsored adult programs or events, and by a gathering of between 1-10 adults of legal drinking age in the following locations:
- Gilson Park (also known as the Kiwanis shelter)
- Municipal Softball Field adjacent to Grant Street, but only in conjunction with adult programs or events sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Board
- Rotary Park
- Upper Lake Park
- Veteran's Memorial Park (also known as Lower Lake Park)
For a gathering of more than 10 adults of legal drinking age, a permit must be obtained in order to possess or consume fermented malt beverages and/or wine in the city parks and public grounds listed above. Permits are available from the Port Washington Park & Recreation Department located at 201 N. Webster St., Port Washington.
For a list of City of Port Washington parks, please visit the City Park List page.
The Ordinance, In Full:
Ch. 133-ARTICLE II Possession or Consumption on Public Ways [Adopted as §§ 11.07 and 11.25 of the 1984 Code]
§ 133-17. Prohibited acts. Except as provided in §§ 133-18 and 300-1C, no person shall purchase a fermented malt beverage, intoxicating liquor or wine by the glass or in open containers except for consumption on the licensed premises, and no person shall carry or be in possession of any open can, cup, glass, bottle or similar drinking vessel or container containing fermented malt beverages, intoxicating liquors or wine, or any such receptacle on which the seal has been broken, or drink from the same on any public way, public street, sidewalk, boulevard, parkway, safety zone, alley or public parking lot or on and/or in any motor vehicle parked on a public way, public street, alley or public parking lot.
§ 133-18. Where allowed; restrictions. The possession or consumption of fermented malt beverages, intoxicating liquors or wine by persons who have attained the legal drinking age is allowed upon the following public ways:
§ 133-19. Permits for annual celebrations, special events or block parties. Upon written application, the Chief of Police or his designee may grant a permit to persons, groups or organizations allowing a public street, sidewalk, boulevard, parkway, alley or parking lot to be used for the purpose of holding annual celebrations, special events, or block parties which include the possession or consumption of fermented malt beverages, intoxicating liquors or wine thereon. Such permits shall be applied for in accordance with, and if issued shall be subject to the provisions of, § 370-17B(2) and (3). The fee for such permit shall be established by the Common Council. A. On the wooden boardwalk abutting the North Slip, between May 1 and October 1. B. Within the marina area lying east of the east curbline of the marina parking lot, but excluding the municipal boat launch ramp, between May 1 and October 1. C. Any public street, sidewalk, boulevard, parkway, alley or parking lot for which a permit has been issued under § 133-19 for the purpose of holding an annual celebration, special event or block party. D. Any public sidewalk area for which a right-of-way use license has been issued under § 370-11B as a part of the operation of a restaurant business serving food and alcohol beverages prepared on private property adjacent thereto, subject to the terms and conditions of the right-of-way use license, the alcohol beverage license, and any other licenses, permits or approvals required for the use or operation of such premises (e.g., building permit, health permit, and conditional use permit). [Amended 7-18-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-14] City of Port Washington, WI § 133-17 § 133-20 Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/PO3582 on 2023-12-18 § 133-20. Violations and penalties. Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-4 of this Code.
Alcohol beverages are prohibited in all city parks and public grounds, public beaches and parking lots in the city of Port Washington, excepted where noted below.
The possession or consumption of fermented malt beverages and/or wine is allowed during park hours within and upon the following city parks and public grounds at Common Council sanctioned or sponsored events, at Parks and Recreation Board sponsored adult programs or events, and by a gathering of between 1-10 adults of legal drinking age in the following locations:
- Gilson Park (also known as the Kiwanis shelter)
- Municipal Softball Field adjacent to Grant Street, but only in conjunction with adult programs or events sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Board
- Rotary Park
- Upper Lake Park
- Veteran's Memorial Park (also known as Lower Lake Park)
For a gathering of more than 10 adults of legal drinking age, a permit must be obtained in order to possess or consume fermented malt beverages and/or wine in the city parks and public grounds listed above. Permits are available from the Port Washington Park & Recreation Department located at 201 N. Webster St., Port Washington.
For a list of City of Port Washington parks, please visit the City Park List page.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
No minor under the age of 17 years shall loiter, idle, wander, stroll, or be either on foot or in a vehicle between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other adult having his or her control. Exceptions include emergencies, employment or associated activities.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
It shall be unlawful within the limits of the City for any person to sell, expose or offer for sale, use, keep or discharge, or to explode any firecracker, bottle rocket, cherry bomb, colored smoke bomb, toy cap, blank cartridge, toy pistol or cannon in which explosives are used, contrivances using explosive caps or cartridges, sparklers, display wheels, the type of balloon which requires fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, sky rockets, Roman candles, aerial salutes, American or Chinese bombs or other fireworks of like construction, or any other fireworks containing any explosives of flammable compound.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
A person may hunt with a bow and arrow or crossbow within the City, subject to the following restrictions:
- No such hunting is permitted on public property.
- No such hunting is permitted within 100 yards of any building used for human occupancy located on another person’s land unless the person who owns the land on which the building is located allows the hunter to hunt within 100 yards of the building.
- No such hunting is permitted unless the arrow or bolt is discharged toward the ground.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
A reminder that city parks are closed between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., with the exception of Rotary Park which closes at 11:00 p.m. and re-opens at 6:00 a.m.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
Keeping pets is becoming increasingly popular in households across the country. Recent studies estimate that around 66 percent of all U.S. households (86.9 million) are pet owners, and more than half of those households have more than one animal. People keep pets for a variety of reasons including companionship, home security, teaching responsibility and enhancing behavior among children. However, being a pet owner carries with it certain obligations and responsibilities.
Assumptions and misunderstanding of City ordinances surrounding the keeping and maintenance of pets in the City and particularly dogs in public areas, including parks and beaches has prompted this guide.
The Port Washington Police Department and the Park and Recreation Department would like to make it very clear that we encourage and welcome dog owners and their dogs in our City parks and public ways, as long as they abide by the regulations set forth governing their behavior.
To help in understanding what is expected of pet owners when they walk a dog, visit a park, beach or other public area, we have included in this guide a summary of the Port Washington Animal Regulation ordinances.
Please protect yourself, your neighbors and your community by being a considerate and responsible pet owner.
The City will take appropriate actions, including the issuance of citations, if necessary, against individuals who do not abide by the regulations governing the keeping of pets within the City.
Keeping of Dogs, Cats, and Pot-Bellied Pigs
Persons may not keep, maintain, or harbor more than two dogs and two cats in any apartment, residence, household, yard or place of business, except where allowed by the Zoning Ordinances. A time limit of three (3) months is allowed for litters. (Ch. 141-19; Ch. 485, Zoning, of City Code)
Licensing
All dogs and cats in the City are required to be licensed annually. Proof of rabies vaccination is required for licensing. Dog and cat licenses are available at City Hall. (Ch. 141-1.) Visit the Dog, Cat & Pot-Bellied Pig Licensing page for more information.
Animals at Large
No person shall permit any animal owned by him or under his control or in his possession to run at large. Owners may not permit dogs or cats to be on any public property in the City or on any private property in the City without the owner's permission, when such animal is not secured by a leash, chain, or rope in control of any person or confined within a fenced enclosure. (Ch. 141-19(A.).
Fecal Matter
Owners or persons in control of dogs, cats or other permitted animals are responsible for the immediate removal of fecal material left by their animals on any property other than the owner's. Pet owners or persons in control of such animal(s) may not dispose of any such fecal material on any property other than his or her own property. (Ch. 141-19(I.).
Barking Dogs
No person shall harbor any dogs or any other animals within his care or custody which shall continuously bark or create a continuous or intermittent noise or disturbance, or allow such animals to make any unusual or unnecessary noise to the disturbance of the neighborhood, or to people passing upon the streets or sidewalks. (Ch. 141-19(D.).
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
No signs may be posted on any city property (including the area between the sidewalk and the curb), on traffic signs, or on utility poles.
Signs may only be posted on private property with the property owner's permission.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
All snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours of snowfall. Property owners can be fined for non-compliance.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
Snowmobiles and ATVs are not permitted to be operated on city streets, sidewalks or public property, nor are they to be operated on private property unless the property owner has given permission.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.
All peddlers and transient merchants must obtain a solicitor's license from City Hall. Please visit the Licensing page for more information.
For more information regarding city ordinances governing this issue, please visit the City of Port Washington Municipal Codes web page.