Property Maintenance

The Sun Prairie Property Maintenance Code sets minimum standards for:

• Buildings
• Equipment
• Heating
• Lighting
• Safety from fire and other hazards
• Sanitation
• Ventilation

It is intended to protect the public health, safety and welfare. These standards apply to all property in the city, owner occupied or rental property.

We investigate complaints regarding violation of the code and may issue orders for corrective action. Most violations could be prevented by following a few basic principles.

To report a concern please visit our OpenGov platform.

Grass & Weeds

You are required to control your grass height and destroy noxious weeds. Our ordinances require that grasses and weeds do not exceed 8" in height. The logical reason to cut weeds is to prevent their spread by not allowing them to go to seed.

Discharging your grass clippings into the street while mowing your lawn is a violation.

Exterior Storage

Seasonal (April 1 to November 30), oversized recreational vehicles and all residential districts motorized or transport vehicles that exceed 22 feet in length, are permitted to be parked and stored outdoors on a residential property provided that the parking and storage complies with each of the following:

• No more than 1 oversized vehicle shall be stored at any given time.
• No more than 2 of the vehicles parked and stored outside on a 1 or 2 family parcel can be trailers, commercial or recreational vehicles.
• Parking or storage is only allowed in the front or street yard as long as it occurs on a paved surface such as a driveway and is designated for such purpose.
• Vehicles must be parked perpendicular to the street except where parked on a curved or circular driveway.
• A minimum 2 foot setback shall be maintained between the sidewalk and any part of the vehicle including the hitch. If there is not a public sidewalk, the vehicle may be parked up to the right of way line or 10 feet from back of curb whichever is greater.
• Vehicle must not be parked less 5 feet from side and/or rear property line.
• All stored or parked vehicles must display current registration tags.

Also, as a reminder, some developments and neighborhoods have adopted covenants, restrictions and conditions concerning exterior storage of recreational vehicles, although not enforced by the city, property owners may have some legal obligation to conform to the restrictions.

Snow & Ice

Snow and ice must be removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after the snowfall ends. Sidewalks that are walkways for school children should be cleared as soon as possible.

A & C.  Sidewalks shall be clear of snow and ice to a minimum of 4 feet, regardless of the source of accumulation. In the event ice has formed in such a manner that it cannot be removed, the sidewalk should be sprinkled with sand and/or salt. 

B. Bus stops are cleared by City of Sun Prairie Public Works.

D & E. While mailboxes and fire hydrants are not required to be cleared we highly recommend clearing these areas. 

It is unlawful to deposit any snow or ice unto a public street.

Housing Complaints

If you are experiencing specific maintenance problems with your apartment or the building in which you reside, and you have contacted your building owner or manager about the problem(s) with little or no response from them, we invite you to contact Building Inspection so that we may inspect the property and determine if the maintenance issues are a violation. If violations exist, we will send an Official Notice directing that they be corrected within a reasonable time limit. We will need your name, contact information, address (apartment #) and we will need access to the areas of the apartment (or part of the building ) that your complaint references.

Can the Landlord Retaliate Against Me, if I File A Complaint?

No. Landlords cannot evict you or threaten to do so because you have reported a violation. That would be a violation of Agriculture Trade & Consumer Protection (ATCP) 134.09(5).

Common Issues

• Peeling paint
• Deteriorated porches
• Siding, chimneys and roofs
• Broken windows and damaged doors
• Plumbing and electrical violations
• Inadequate heat
• Broken locks on doors and windows
• Holes in walls
• Deteriorated floor coverings
• Missing and defective smoke alarms.

If there is a health or safety issue, please contact us at 608-825-1184. Sorry, but we can not help with issues concerning your lease or rent payments, those issues are covered under Wisconsin State Statutes.