[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Grant County
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-21-1988 (Ch. 26 of the Grant County Ordinances); amended in its
entirety 4-19-2011 by Ord. No. 26]
A.Â
Title. This ordinance shall be referred to as the "Grant County Public
Health Nuisance Ordinance."
B.Â
Effective date. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon
adoption by the Grant County Board of Supervisors and publication
as provided by law.
C.Â
Administration. This ordinance shall be administered by the Grant
County Health Department in cooperation with the Grant County Board
of Health.
D.Â
Interpretation. The provisions of this ordinance shall be interpreted
to be the minimum requirements and shall be liberally translated in
favor of Grant County and shall be not be deemed a limitation of any
power granted by the State of Wisconsin Statutes.
A.Â
COUNTY
HEALTH HAZARD
IMMEDIATE HEALTH HAZARD
ORDINANCE
PERSON
POLLUTION
PUBLIC
PUBLIC HEALTH NUISANCE
(1)Â
(2)Â
(a)Â
(b)Â
(c)Â
SOLID WASTE
STATE
TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Grant County, Wisconsin.
Any situation or condition which adversely affects or has
the potential to adversely affect the health of a person and/or the
general public.
Any condition which adversely affects or demonstrates the
potential to adversely affect the community at large and which should,
in the opinion of the Grant County Health Department Director, the
Grant County Environmental Health Coordinator, or an employee of the
Grant County Health Department be abated immediately or within a maximum
of 24 hours to prevent possible severe damage to human health and/or
to the environment.
This Grant County Public Health Nuisance Ordinance.
Any individual, corporation, society, partnership, entity,
or institution.
Contaminating or rendering unclean or impure the air, land,
or waters of the County or making the same injurious to the public
health or harmful for commercial or recreational use or deleterious
to fish, bird or animal life.
Affecting or having the potential to affect the people and/or
environment outside the limits of an individual's personally
occupied structure or persons outside of an individual's personally
occupied structure.
Whosoever by an act or failure to perform a legal duty does
any of the following is guilty of maintaining a public health nuisance:
A public health nuisance shall be defined throughout this text
as any action, act, occupation, condition or use of property which
will likely result in one of the following:[2]
Substantially injure or endanger the health, repose or safety
of the public;
In any way render the public insecure in life or in the use
of property; or
Create or prolong a condition detrimental to the natural environment
or through direct negligence allow the introduction of materials which
present a hazard to the environment as a whole.
Garbage, refuse and all other discarded or salvageable solid
materials including solid waste materials from industrial, commercial,
and agricultural operations and from domestic use and public service
activities, but excluding solids or dissolved materials in wastewater
effluent or other common water pollutants.
The State of Wisconsin.
Any chemical and/or biological materials that are or have
the potential to create a public health hazard.
B.Â
All other words not specifically defined in this ordinance shall
be defined as set forth in any applicable Wisconsin Statutes or regulations
and if not defined otherwise, the standard dictionary definition of
the word shall apply.
No person shall erect, cause, create, continue, maintain or
permit any public health nuisance within the County. Any person who
shall erect, cause, create, continue, permit, or maintain such a public
health nuisance or who shall in any way aid or contribute to the causing
or maintenance thereof shall be guilty of a violation of this ordinance
and shall be liable for all costs and expenses attendant upon the
removal and correction of such a nuisance and to the penalties provided
within this ordinance.
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain
his or her property in a nuisance-free manner and also to be responsible
for the abatement and/or correction of any public health nuisance
that has been determined to exist on his or her property.
The term "public health nuisance" is defined in § 191-2 of this ordinance. More specifically, but not limited by enumeration, the following are public health nuisances:
A.Â
Air pollution: the escape of excessive smoke, soot, cinders, acids,
fumes, gases, fly ash, industrial dust or other atmospheric pollutants
within the County that endanger the public health or create noncompliance
with applicable state or federal statutes or regulations. The burning
of domestic refuse or heating fuels shall be excluded from enforcement
under this subsection.
B.Â
Noxious odors: any negligent use of property, substance or device
within the County which emits or causes any foul, offensive, noxious
or disagreeable odor deemed repulsive to the physical senses of ordinary
persons or to the public as a whole, but exclusive of those odors
common to ordinary and approved agricultural practices.
C.Â
Unburied carcasses: having the carcass of any animal or fowl not
intended for human consumption or food which is not buried or otherwise
properly disposed of within a reasonable time period.
D.Â
Manure: excessive accumulations of body wastes from any domestic
animal or fowl that are handled, stored, or disposed of in any manner
that creates a public health hazard, but exclusive of those wastes
common to ordinary and approved agricultural practices.
E.Â
Toxic and hazardous materials: any chemical and/or biological material
that is stored, used, or disposed of in such quantity or manner that
it is or has the potential to create a public health hazard. Violations
of this subsection also must be immediately referred to the appropriate
county, state, and federal agencies by the Grant County Health Department.
F.Â
Open dumps: the unauthorized disposal of any waste materials on private
or public lands in a manner not in compliance with the requirements
of Wisconsin Statutes or regulations.
G.Â
Wastewater: the presence of wastewater or sewage effluent from buildings
seeping onto the ground surface or backing up into buildings and/or
running into a surface body of water and caused by a damaged or inadequately
maintained sewage system or private sewage lateral. This restriction
shall also apply to any wastewater or sewage effluent that is not
handled or disposed of in compliance with all County and state codes.
H.Â
Holes or openings: any hole or opening caused by an improperly abandoned
cistern, septic system, dug or drilled well, foundation, mine shaft,
or tunnel and including any improperly abandoned, sealed, barricaded
or backfilled excavation for which no proper precautions (i.e., posting
and fending) to prevent entry have been taken.
I.Â
Dilapidated buildings: all buildings or structures so old, dilapidated,
neglected or out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary
or otherwise unfit for use and for which no appropriate precautions
(i.e., posting and fencing or closure of entryways) to prevent admittance
have been taken.
J.Â
Food and breeding places for vermin, insects, etc.: accumulations
of decayed animal or vegetable matter, trash, rubbish, garbage, rotting
timber, bedding, packing materials, scrap metal, abandoned structures,
animal or human fecal matter, grass or weeds which are more than 10
inches high above the ground on any parcel or real estate which is
within 1,000 feet of a residence, or any other substance or condition
which promotes flies, mosquitoes, lice, disease-carrying insects,
rats or other vermin or their reproduction and including areas in
which such pests can live, nest or seek shelter. The above prohibition
against having grass or weeds on property taller than 10 inches from
the ground does not apply to the following properties:
(1)Â
Any intentionally cultivated agricultural vegetation;
(2)Â
Any vegetation intentionally cultivated or maintained in an effort
to reproduce ecosystems or environmental conditions naturally existing
in the State of Wisconsin;
(3)Â
Any vegetation intentionally cultivated or maintained in a clearly
defined and physically discreet area for landscaping, ornamental,
or other aesthetic purposes;
(4)Â
Naturally wooded areas, regulated wetlands, or meadows; or
(5)Â
Any grass or weeds located within a highway right-of-way or other
area which is determined by the Grant County Health Director, the
Grant County Environmental Health Coordinator, or any employee of
the Grant County Health Department to be located or maintained in
such a way as would not cause a public health nuisance or health hazard.
K.Â
Animal welfare: intentional abuse or prolonged confinement of any
domestic or wild animal or fowl such that a decline in the health
or well-being of the animal occurs.
L.Â
Unsanitary or unsanitary conditions: any condition or situation which
renders a structure or any part of a structure unsanitary, unhealthy,
or unfit for human habitation, occupation or use or renders any property
unsanitary or unhealthy.
It shall be the responsibility of the Grant County Health Department
staff to investigate all potential public health nuisance complaints
and determine whether a public health nuisance exists.
A.Â
Authority.
(1)Â
General provisions:
(a)Â
The purpose and intent of this ordinance in cooperation with
the local, state, and federal agencies is to protect the public health,
safety, and general welfare of the people of the County; and
(b)Â
The Grant County Health Department Director, the Grant County
Environmental Health Coordinator, and the staff of the Grant County
Health Department are authorized to enforce this ordinance.
B.Â
Administration.
(1)Â
General provisions. The Grant County Public Health Nuisance Ordinance
shall be interpreted, administered, and enforced by the Grant County
Health Department Director, the Grant County Environmental Health
Coordinator and the staff of the Grant County Health Department.
(2)Â
Responsibilities of the Grant County Health Department Director,
Grant County Environmental Health Coordinator and the Grant County
Health Department staff:
(3)Â
Powers. The Grant County Health Department Director, the Grant County
Environmental Health Coordinator, and the staff of the Grant County
Health Department shall have the power necessary to enforce the provisions
of this ordinance without limitation by reason of enumeration and
including the following:
(a)Â
To enter any structure or premises at a reasonable time for
the purpose of performing his/her duties and to secure a court order
to accomplish this purpose if deemed necessary.
(b)Â
To order abatement and/or correction of any public health nuisance
or other health hazard in noncompliance with this ordinance or state
statute.
(c)Â
To delegate the responsibilities of administration and enforcement
of this ordinance to another staff member of the Grant County Health
Department who is qualified to perform the responsibilities.
(d)Â
Any other action authorized under the law or this ordinance
to insure compliance with the purpose and intent of this ordinance
and the requirements of this ordinance.
C.Â
Citations.
(1)Â
The Grant County Health Department Director, the Grant County Environmental
Health Coordinator and staff of the Grant County Health Department
as well as officers of the Grant County Sheriff's Department
are hereby authorized to issue citations to persons or organizations,
corporations, partnerships, or entities that violate this ordinance.
(2)Â
A citation issued to any violator of this ordinance shall include
all of the information required for citations by § 66.0113,
Wis. Stats.
(3)Â
If the violator receives a summons in addition to the citation, the
violator must appear in court for the hearing on the citation.
(4)Â
A citation and summons issued under this ordinance can be served
on a violator in person by the Environmental Health Coordinator for
Grant County, the Grant County Health Department Director, an employee
of the Grant County Health Department or by the Grant County Sheriff's
Department.
(5)Â
A violator receiving a citation under this ordinance can pay a cash
deposit of $500 plus statutory court costs, assessments, surcharges,
and fees. The cash deposits, statutory court costs, assessments, surcharges,
and fees shall be paid to the Grant County Clerk of Circuit Court
at 130 West Maple Street, Lancaster, Wisconsin 53813. The Clerk of
Circuit Court shall issue receipts for cash deposits, statutory court
costs, assessments, surcharges, and fees as well as forfeitures paid
under this ordinance.
A.Â
Compliance.
(1)Â
Written orders. Compliance with this ordinance shall include compliance
with written orders issued under this ordinance or state health laws
by the Grant County Health Department Director, the Grant County Environmental
Health Coordinator or staff of the Grant County Health Department
to abate and/or correct a public health nuisance or to bring any other
situation or condition in noncompliance with this ordinance into compliance.
(2)Â
Noncompliance with this ordinance and/or with a written order from the Grant County Health Department Director, the Grant County Environmental Health Coordinator or staff at the Grant County Health Department or in case of repeated occurrences of the same violation by the same person, the violator shall be considered to be in noncompliance and subject to immediate action under Subsection B(3) of this section.
B.Â
Enforcement.
(1)Â
If the existence of a public health nuisance is confirmed, a written
cleanup and/or abatement order will be issued specifying the action
needed to correct the situation and including the following information:
(a)Â
The name, address, and pertinent information on the violator;
(b)Â
The nature of the violation and steps necessary to abate or
correct it;
(c)Â
The time period in which the violation must be corrected and/or
abated (usually one day to five days for immediate health hazards
or 10 days to 30 days for health hazards, depending on the nature
of the violation). Allowance for limited extension of this time period
may be allowed if warranted by extenuating circumstances; and
(d)Â
The penalties the violator will be subject to if the apparent
violation is not abated and/or corrected within the given time period
as a result of the issuance of a citation or lawsuit. The abatement
or cleanup orders can be mailed to the violator or served on the violator
by staff of the Grant County Health Department or the Grant County
Sheriff's Department.
(2)Â
Exception to the written orders. In extreme cases where a violation poses an immediate health hazard as determined by the Grant County Health Department Director, the Grant County Environmental Health Coordinator or staff of the Grant County Health Department or in the case of repeated occurrences of the same violation by the same person, the violator shall be considered to be in noncompliance and subject to immediate action under Subsection B(3) of this section.
(3)Â
Noncompliance with written orders. If a person does not comply with
a written order from the Grant County Health Department Director,
the Grant County Environmental Health Coordinator or staff of the
Grant County Health Department, the violator may be subject to one
or more of the following actions and/or penalties:
(a)Â
The issuance of an enforceable citation;
(b)Â
Commencement of legal action against the person seeking an injunction
to abate the violation and/or correct the damage created by the violation;
(c)Â
Commencement of legal action against the person seeking a court-imposed
forfeiture and/or imprisonment and an order requiring the violator
to correct the violations;
(d)Â
Any other action authorized by this ordinance or by other applicable
laws as deemed necessary by staff of the Grant County Health Department.
(e)Â
The initiation of one action or penalty under this section does
not exempt the violator from any additional actions and/or penalties
prescribed by law.
(4)Â
Ordered abatement of certain nuisances. Where public health nuisances
as defined in this ordinance or in the Wisconsin State Statutes are
encountered which may require ordered abatement and/or correction,
the Grant County Health Department Director, the Grant County Environmental
Health Coordinator, or staff of the Grant County Health Department
shall send to the violator a written order as prescribed above. If
the nuisance is not abated and/or corrected within the time period
specified in the order, staff at the Grant County Health Department
may enter upon the property and abate and/or correct the nuisance
or cause such action to be taken. The cost of abatement and/or correction
can be recovered by the County, either by filing a lawsuit against
the violator or as a special tax assessment on the property.
(5)Â
Penalties. In case of a conviction for a violation of the provisions
of this chapter, judgment shall be entered against the violator for
a forfeiture not to exceed $500, plus court costs, for a single violation.
In default of the payment of the judgment, the violator shall be imprisoned
in the County Jail for such time as the court deems fit but not to
exceed 60 days. In the case of court-imposed forfeitures and citations,
a separate offense shall be deemed committed during each ten-day period
during which or upon which a given violation occurs or continues.
In cases where the violation poses an immediate health hazard as determined
by the Health Officer, this ten-day period can be reduced to 24 hours
with a written notice of such reduction given to the violator. For
citations, any law enforcement officer of Grant County can issue a
citation to a violator. The citation shall contain the information
required by § 66.0113, Wis. Stats. The cash deposit which
can be posted as a result of a citation issued for violating the provisions
of this chapter is a forfeiture of $500 plus statutory costs, including
but not limited to the penalty assessment, the jail assessment, and
the crime laboratories and drug enforcement assessment. Cash deposits,
costs, and assessments shall be paid to the Clerk of Circuit Court
for Grant County. The Clerk shall issue receipts for the cash deposits,
costs, and assessments paid under this chapter.[1]
(7)Â
Coordination with state agencies. Where a public health nuisance
involves noncompliance with a state-enforced regulation or state statute,
the Grant County Health Department shall first refer the complaint
to the appropriate agency for abatement and/or correction. If the
nuisance continues without adequate enforcement from the state agency
within a reasonable period of time, then the Grant County Health Department
may initiate action under this section to bring about proper abatement
and/or correction.
(8)Â
Where a public health nuisance is determined to be an immediate health
hazard by the staff of the Grant County Health Department, said staff
may proceed immediately to have it abated and/or corrected.