Chapter 349

349.10(1)(b) (b) Designate by pavement marking certain places on highways as safety zones or erect and maintain islands of safety and regulate and control traffic with respect to such safety zones and islands of safety.

349.10(1)(c) (c) By order, ordinance or resolution and by the erection of appropriate signs, prohibit right or left turns at intersections by all vehicles or by certain types of vehicles.

349.10(1)(d) (d) Place official traffic control devices within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in s. 346.31 be traveled by vehicles turning at the intersection.

349.10(1)(e) (e) Mark lanes for traffic upon any roadway and designate specific lanes for slow-moving traffic or for traffic moving in a particular direction.

349.10(1)(f) (f) By order, ordinance or resolution and by the erection of appropriate signs, prohibit U-turns at specified locations. The local authority with the approval of the department may prohibit U-turns and erect appropriate signs on state trunk highways within cities, villages and towns.

349.10(2) (2) No local authority shall declare any part of a connecting highway between portions of the state trunk highway system to be a one-way highway or prohibit right or left turns or U-turns at any intersection of one such connecting highway with another without due regard for the expeditious flow of intercity traffic using the state trunk highways and without first conferring with the department on the problems involved.

349.10 History History: 1973 c. 175; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (3), (8) (a); 1977 c. 116, 272; 1993 a. 246; 2009 a. 97; 2015 a. 124.

349.105 349.105 Authority to prohibit certain traffic on expressways and freeways. The authority in charge of maintenance of an expressway or freeway may, by order, ordinance or resolution, prohibit the use of such expressway or freeway by pedestrians, persons riding bicycles or other nonmotorized traffic or by persons operating mopeds or motor bicycles. The state or local authority adopting any such prohibitory regulation shall erect and maintain official signs giving notice thereof on the expressway or freeway to which such prohibition applies.

349.105 History History: 1983 a. 243.

349.11 349.11 Authority to modify speed restrictions.

349.11(1) (1) 

349.11(1)(a) (a) Whenever the department with respect to the state trunk highway system and the local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any statutory speed limit is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon any part of a highway or that the actual speed of vehicles upon any part of a highway is greater or less than is reasonable and prudent, the department with respect to the state trunk highway system and the local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may, subject to the limitations set forth in subs. (2) and (3), determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit on the highway or part thereof in question. When appropriate signs giving notice of such speed limit have been erected and are in place, such speed limit shall be effective at all times or at such times as indicated by the signs.

349.11(1)(b) (b) Whenever the department with respect to the state trunk highway system determines, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, that any statutory minimum speed limit is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon any part of a highway or that the actual minimum speed of vehicles upon any part of a highway is greater or less than is reasonable and prudent, the department with respect to the state trunk highway system may, subject to applicable limitations in subs. (2) and (3), determine and declare a reasonable and safe minimum speed limit on the highway or part thereof in question. When appropriate signs giving notice of such minimum speed limit have been erected and are in place such minimum speed limit shall be effective at all times or at such times as indicated by the signs.

349.11(2) (2) The department may not do any of the following:

349.11(2)(a) (a) Declare a speed limit which is in excess of the limits stated in s. 346.57 (4) (h), except as provided in s. 346.57 (4) (gm).

349.11(2)(b) (b) Modify the limits stated in s. 346.57 (4) (c) or 346.58.

349.11(2)(c) (c) Modify the statutory speed limit on more than 2,000 miles of state trunk highways. The first mile outside of and immediately adjacent to any incorporated municipality shall not be counted in computing such 2,000 miles. This paragraph does not apply to freeways or to expressways, as defined in s. 346.57 (1) (ag) and (am).

349.11(3) (3) Local authorities may not:

349.11(3)(a) (a) Declare a speed limit which is in excess of the limits stated in s. 346.57 (4) (h); or

349.11(3)(b) (b) Modify the limits stated in s. 346.57 (4) (c) or 346.58; or

349.11(3)(c) (c) Modify any existing speed limit without the consent of the department except to reduce the speed limit as provided under sub. (10), or to increase the speed limit stated in s. 346.57 (4) (e), (f) or (g), or to reduce by 10 miles per hour or less the speed limit stated in s. 346.57 (4) (a), (b) or (d) to (j), or to reduce by 15 miles per hour or less the speed limit stated in s. 346.57 (4) (k). Whenever department approval is required, no signs giving notice of a modification of the speed limit may be erected until such approval has been received.

349.11(4) (4) The department upon request from any county highway committee or local authority shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge, causeway, viaduct or structure on any highway. If it finds that any such structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speeds otherwise permitted by law or if it finds that such structure is substandard as to width and that it is necessary from the standpoint of traffic safety to reduce the speed of vehicles using such structure, the department shall determine and declare the maximum vehicular speed which such structure can withstand or which can be maintained in safety on such structure. When appropriate signs giving notice of such maximum speed have been erected at a suitable distance before each end of the structure, such posted speed limit is the effective speed limit on such structure at all times when the signs are in place. The findings and determination of the department are conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to or on any such structure.

349.11(5) (5) Except as provided in sub. (10), the department and local authorities shall place and maintain upon all highways, where the speed limit is modified by them pursuant to this section, standard signs giving notice of such speed. All speed limit signs so erected shall conform to the rules of the department.

349.11(6) (6) No liability shall attach to the department or to any local authority by reason of the posting of a speed limit pursuant to this section nor shall such posting guarantee that the posted speed is reasonable and safe under all conditions.

349.11(7) (7) The department with respect to the state trunk highway system and local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may increase the speed limits stated in s. 346.57 (4) (a) and (b), but any speed limit so established shall not be greater than the speed limit established on the adjoining sections of the same street or highway.

349.11(8) (8) Notwithstanding the authority otherwise granted to modify speed restrictions in this section, except as provided in sub. (9) and s. 346.57 (4) (gm), the department may not establish or continue:

349.11(8)(a) (a) A maximum speed limit on any highway within its jurisdiction in excess of 55 miles per hour;

349.11(8)(c) (c) Maximum speed limits which are not uniformly applicable to all types of motor vehicles using a highway, except that a lower speed limit may be established for any vehicle operating under a special permit because of any weight or dimension of such vehicle.

349.11(8m) (8m) Notwithstanding the authority otherwise granted to modify speed restrictions in this section, local authorities may not establish or continue:

349.11(8m)(a) (a) A maximum speed limit on any highway within their respective jurisdictions in excess of 55 miles per hour;

349.11(8m)(c) (c) Maximum speed limits which are not uniformly applicable to all types of motor vehicles using a highway, except that a lower speed limit may be established for any vehicle operating under a special permit because of any weight or dimension of such vehicle.

349.11(9) (9) The department, with respect to any highway, may alter speed restrictions during an energy emergency to comply with federal law or if the department finds that extraordinary circumstances in this state require such alteration. All decisions made by the department under this subsection will be subject to review by the joint committee for review of administrative rules in accordance with s. 227.26.

349.11(10) (10) Notwithstanding any speed limits imposed under this section or under s. 346.57, if a highway is being constructed, reconstructed, maintained or repaired, local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, any county highway committee performing maintenance on the state trunk highway system under s. 84.07 and any local authority with respect to highways not under its jurisdiction that are being constructed, reconstructed, maintained or repaired by the local authority may, for the safety of the highway construction and maintenance workers, pedestrians and highway users, post a temporary speed limit less than the speed limit imposed under this section or under s. 346.57. The temporary limits may be posted for the duration of the construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repair period. Temporary speed limits imposed under this subsection may be posted with signs on portable supports. When portable supports are used under this subsection, the bottom of the sign shall be not less than one foot above the surface of the pavement or shoulder.

349.11(11) (11) Notwithstanding any speed limits imposed under this section or under s. 346.57, if a local authority designates a highway under its jurisdiction as an all-terrain vehicle route under s. 23.33 (8) (b), the local authority may post a speed limit, applicable only to all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles, as defined under s. 23.33 (1) (ng), that is lower than the speed limit imposed under this section or under s. 346.57.

349.11 History History: 1971 c. 38; 1973 c. 157; 1975 c. 25; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (8) (a); 1977 c. 30 s. 5; 1977 c. 67, 203, 418; 1979 c. 213; 1983 a. 54; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1987 a. 17, 219; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 376; 1995 a. 318; 1999 a. 85; 2021 a. 164.

349.115 349.115 Authority to impound vehicles.

349.115(1) (1) A political subdivision may, by ordinance, authorize a law enforcement officer to impound any vehicle used in the commission of a violation of s. 346.62 or a local ordinance in strict conformity with s. 346.62 at the time of issuing a citation for the offense if the person cited is the owner of the vehicle and the person has a prior conviction for a violation of s. 346.62 or a local ordinance in strict conformity with s. 346.62 for which a forfeiture was imposed that has not been fully paid. The ordinance may provide for impoundment of the vehicle until the person fully pays the prior forfeiture amount and reasonable costs of impounding the vehicle, including towing or other transportation costs and storage costs.

349.115(2) (2) A political subdivision shall return to its owner a vehicle impounded under sub. (1) upon payment of the amount required under the ordinance.

349.115(3) (3) A political subdivision that has impounded a vehicle under sub. (1) may dispose of the vehicle by following the same procedure as provided for disposing of an abandoned vehicle under s. 342.40 if the impounded vehicle remains unclaimed for more than 90 days after the disposition of the citation for which the vehicle was impounded.

349.115 History History: 2023 a. 1.

349.12 349.12 Authority to designate no-passing zones. The department, county highway committees and local authorities, in regard to highways under their respective jurisdictions, may determine, in accordance with standards and procedures adopted by the department, where overtaking or passing or driving to the left of the center of the roadway would be especially hazardous and may, by signs approved by the department or by a yellow unbroken line on the pavement on the right-hand side of and adjacent to the center line or a lane line of a roadway, indicate the beginning and end of such zones.

349.12 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (8) (a); 1979 c. 76.

349.13 349.13 Authority to regulate the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles.

349.13(1b) (1b) In this section, “owner” includes the lessee of a vehicle if the vehicle is registered, or required to be registered, by the lessee under ch. 341.

349.13(1d) (1d) A local authority with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, including state trunk highways or connecting highways within corporate limits, may enact an ordinance making the owner of the vehicle involved in a violation under this section jointly liable for the violation.

349.13(1e) (1e) 

349.13(1e)(a) (a) The department with respect to state trunk highways outside of corporate limits and the local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, including state trunk highways or connecting highways within corporate limits, may, within the reasonable exercise of the police power, prohibit, limit the time of or otherwise restrict the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles beyond the prohibitions, limitations or restrictions imposed by ch. 346, except that they may not modify the exceptions set forth in s. 346.50.

349.13(1e)(b) (b) The department may also restrict or prohibit the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles on any part of a state trunk highway or connecting highway within corporate limits if the local authority having jurisdiction has not enacted any stopping, standing or parking regulation applicable to the highway or part thereof in question as provided under par. (a).

349.13(1e)(c) (c)

349.13(1e)(c)1. 1. The authority granted by this subsection may be delegated to a traffic officer or to the officer in charge of the maintenance of the highway in question, but, except as provided in subd. 2., no prohibition, limitation, or restriction on parking imposed under this section is effective unless official traffic signs, pavement markings, or parking meters have been placed or erected indicating the particular prohibition, limitation, or restriction.

349.13(1e)(c)2. 2. Parking regulations that prohibit, limit or restrict the parking of vehicles for any period longer than 24 consecutive hours, during any hours between 12 midnight and 7 a.m., or any portion thereof or during a snow emergency as determined by a municipality, shall be effective in the municipality upon a two-thirds vote of its respective governing body notwithstanding this subsection and s. 346.02 (7) when official traffic signs have been placed or erected at or reasonably near the corporate limits of the municipality on all state and county trunk highways and connecting highways informing motorists that 24-hour parking limitations, night parking regulations or snow emergency regulations are in effect in the municipality.

349.13(1g) (1g) The department, with respect to state trunk highways outside of corporate limits, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction including state trunk highways or connecting highways within corporate limits, may authorize persons whose residences abut a highway in a zone where the time of parking is limited by official signs, pavement markings, or parking meters to park their vehicles in the highway zone without regard to the time limits posted.

349.13(1h) (1h) 

349.13(1h)(a) (a) The department, with respect to state trunk highways outside of corporate limits, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction including state trunk highways or connecting highways within corporate limits, may authorize the parking of automobiles owned by carsharing organizations on a highway in a zone where the time of parking is limited by official signs, markers, or parking meters without regard to the time limits posted.

349.13(1h)(b) (b) The department or a local authority may enter into an agreement with a carsharing organization to authorize parking under this subsection and to establish fees and requirements. This agreement may not modify the prohibitions, limitations, or restrictions on stopping, standing, or parking of motor vehicles imposed by ch. 346 except as expressly permitted by this subsection.

349.13(1j) (1j) The department, with respect to state trunk highways outside of corporate limits, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction including state trunk highways or connecting highways within corporate limits, may authorize persons to park their vehicles during specified hours on the near side of a highway adjacent to a schoolhouse located on property of the University of Wisconsin System when the persons are conducting business at the schoolhouse.

349.13(1k) (1k) 

349.13(1k)(a) (a) Notwithstanding s. 86.32 (1) and any other provision of this section, and as provided in par. (b), a local authority, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction including connecting highways within corporate limits, may authorize persons whose residences abut a highway in a zone where parking is prohibited by official signs, guests of such persons, and commercial enterprises providing services to such persons to park their vehicles in the highway zone without regard to the posted prohibitions.

349.13(1k)(b) (b) If a University of Wisconsin System college campus located in a 1st class city creates 721 parking spaces on campus, a 1st class city may initiate a program to reserve 721 parking spaces for persons whose residences are adjacent to the University of Wisconsin System college campus, guests of such persons, and commercial enterprises providing services to such persons. If a University of Wisconsin System college campus located in a 1st class city creates additional parking spaces on campus, a 1st class city may reserve an equal number of parking spaces for persons whose residences are adjacent to the University of Wisconsin System college campus, guests of such persons, and commercial enterprises providing services to such persons.

349.13(1m) (1m) 

349.13(1m)(a) (a) In addition to the requirements under s. 346.503 (1m), the department, with respect to state trunk highways outside of corporate limits and parking facilities under its jurisdiction, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction including state trunk highways or connecting highways within corporate limits and parking facilities within corporate limits, may, by official traffic signs indicating the restriction, prohibit parking, stopping or standing upon any portion of a street, highway or parking facility reserved for any vehicle bearing special registration plates issued under s. 341.14 (1), (1a), (1e), (1m), or (1q) or a motor vehicle upon which a special identification card issued under s. 343.51 is displayed or any vehicle registered in another jurisdiction and displaying a registration plate, card or emblem issued by the other jurisdiction which designates the vehicle as a vehicle used by a physically disabled person. Any person who violates a prohibition established under this paragraph shall forfeit not less than $150 nor more than $300.

349.13(1m)(b) (b) For each parking facility in which the department or a local authority reserves at least 4 but less than 20 parking spaces under par. (a) by prohibiting parking, stopping, or standing of vehicles other than those vehicles identified in par. (a), at least one of these reserved parking spaces shall have an access aisle immediately adjacent to the parking space to provide entry to and exit from vehicles by persons with physical disabilities. For each parking facility in which the department or a local authority reserves 20 or more parking spaces under par. (a) by prohibiting parking, stopping, or standing of vehicles other than those vehicles identified in par. (a), at least 10 percent of these reserved parking spaces shall have an access aisle immediately adjacent to the parking space to provide entry to and exit from vehicles by persons with physical disabilities. The access aisle shall be at least 96 inches wide and clearly marked. If a reserved parking space has an adjacent access aisle required under this paragraph, the official traffic sign specified in par. (a) shall also identify the reserved parking space as “lift van accessible only” and shall comply with the manual of uniform traffic control devices adopted by the department under s. 84.02 (4) (e). This paragraph applies only to parking facilities that are initially constructed, or reconstructed, resurfaced, or seal coated, after August 1, 2014, and that have adequate clearance for lift van access.

349.13(2) (2) Except as provided in this subsection, neither the department nor local authorities may extend stopping, standing or parking privileges to areas where stopping, standing or parking is prohibited by ch. 346. The department and local authorities, with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions as described in sub. (1e) may do any of the following:

349.13(2)(a) (a) Permit parking on sidewalk areas when such parking will not unduly interfere with pedestrian traffic.

349.13(2)(b) (b) Permit parking on the roadway side of other parked vehicles when such double parking will not unduly interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic.

349.13(2)(c) (c) Permit parking closer than 15 feet to the end of a safety zone when such parking will not unduly interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic.

349.13(2)(d) (d) Designate parking upon the left side of a one-way street or roadway instead of the right side or permit parking on both sides.

349.13(2)(e) (e) Designate angle parking on any roadway under its jurisdiction.

349.13(2)(f) (f) Permit the parking of any vehicle or of school buses only on the near side of specified highways adjacent to schoolhouses during specified hours if the governing body of the municipality where the schoolhouse is located directs by ordinance.

349.13(3) (3) Whenever any traffic officer finds a vehicle standing upon a highway in violation of a prohibition, limitation or restriction on stopping, standing or parking imposed under ch. 346 or this section, or a disabled vehicle that obstructs the roadway of a freeway or expressway, as defined in s. 346.57 (1) (ag), the traffic officer is authorized to move the vehicle or to require the operator in charge thereof to move the vehicle to a position where parking is permitted or to either private or public parking or storage premises. The removal may be performed by, or under the direction of, the traffic officer or may be contracted for by local authorities. Any charges for removal shall be regulated by local ordinance. The operator or owner of the vehicle removed shall pay the reasonable charges for moving or towing or any storage involved based upon the ordinance.

349.13(3m) (3m) 

349.13(3m)(a) (a) In this subsection:

349.13(3m)(a)1g. 1g. “Leased space” has the meaning given in s. 704.90 (1) (b).

349.13(3m)(a)1n. 1n. “Lessee” has the meaning given in s. 704.90 (1) (c).

349.13(3m)(a)1r. 1r. “Operator” has the meaning given in s. 704.90 (1) (d).

349.13(3m)(a)1w. 1w. “Parking enforcer” has the meaning given in s. 341.65 (1) (ar).

349.13(3m)(a)2. 2. “Properly posted” means there is clearly visible notice that an area is private property and that vehicles that are not authorized to park in this area may be immediately removed.

349.13(3m)(a)3. 3. “Rental agreement” has the meaning given in s. 704.90 (1) (f).

349.13(3m)(b) (b) Subject to par. (dr) 1., if private property is not properly posted and a vehicle is parked on the private property and is not authorized to be parked there, the vehicle may be removed immediately, at the vehicle owner’s expense, without the permission of the vehicle owner upon the issuance of a repossession judgment or upon the issuance of a citation for illegal parking.

349.13(3m)(bm) (bm) Notwithstanding par. (b), and subject to par. (dr) 1., an operator may have a vehicle that is stored in a lessee’s leased space removed, at the vehicle owner’s expense, without the permission of the vehicle owner, regardless of whether a citation is issued for illegal parking, if all of the following apply:

349.13(3m)(bm)1. 1. The lessee failed to pay rent or other charges under a rental agreement for at least 7 consecutive days after the due date under the rental agreement.

349.13(3m)(bm)2. 2. The operator has provided the notices under s. 704.90 (5) (b).

349.13(3m)(bm)3. 3. Before the operator sent the 2nd notice under s. 704.90 (5) (b) 2., the lessee had failed to pay rent or other charges under the rental agreement for more than 60 consecutive days after the due date under the rental agreement.

349.13(3m)(bm)4. 4. The lessee has failed to redeem the vehicle under s. 704.90 (5) (a) within the time specified in the notice under s. 704.90 (5) (b) 2. c.

349.13(3m)(c) (c) Subject to par. (dr) 1., if private property is properly posted and a vehicle is parked on the private property and is not authorized to be parked there, the vehicle may be removed immediately, at the vehicle owner’s expense, without the permission of the vehicle owner, regardless of whether a citation is issued for illegal parking.

349.13(3m)(d) (d)

349.13(3m)(d)1. 1. Subject to par. (dr), a vehicle may be removed from private property under par. (b) or (c) only by a towing service at the request of the property owner or property owner’s agent, a traffic officer, or a parking enforcer. Subject to par. (dr), a vehicle may be removed from a leased space under par. (bm) only by a towing service at the request of the operator, a traffic officer, or a parking enforcer.

349.13(3m)(d)2. 2. Before any vehicle is removed under par. (b) to (c) by a towing service, the towing service shall notify a local law enforcement agency of the make, model, vehicle identification number, and registration plate number of the vehicle and the location to which the vehicle will be removed.

349.13(3m)(d)3. 3. Subject to par. (dr) 2., if a vehicle is removed under par. (b) to (c) by a towing service, the vehicle owner shall pay the reasonable charges for removal and, if applicable, storage of the vehicle, as well as any service fee imposed under par. (dm). Subject to par. (dr) 2., if the vehicle was removed at the request of the property owner or property owner’s agent or at the request of an operator, these reasonable charges shall be paid directly to the towing service, and the towing service may impound the vehicle until these charges are paid. If these charges have not been paid in full within 30 days of the vehicle’s removal and the vehicle owner has not entered into a written agreement with the towing service to pay these reasonable charges in installment payments, the vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and may be disposed of as are other abandoned vehicles.