Chapter 349

349.13 Annotation It is not a violation of due process to tow an illegally parked car without first giving the owner notice and the opportunity to be heard regarding the lawfulness of towing the car. Sutton v. City of Milwaukee, 672 F.2d 644 (1982).

349.132 349.132 Authority to require vehicle registration. The governing body of any town, city, village, or county may enact an ordinance requiring that no vehicle that has been impounded or towed may be released unless the motor vehicle is registered under ch. 341 or exempt from registration under s. 341.05.

349.132 History History: 2015 a. 60.

349.135 349.135 Authority to regulate radios or other electric sound amplification devices.

349.135(1) (1) Notwithstanding s. 346.94 (16), the governing body of any town, city, village or county may, by ordinance, provide that, except as provided in s. 347.38 (1), no person may operate or park, stop or leave standing a motor vehicle while using a radio or other electric sound amplification device emitting sound from the vehicle that is clearly audible under normal conditions from a distance of 50 or more feet, unless the electric sound amplification device is being used to request assistance or warn against an unsafe condition. The ordinance may provide that any person violating the ordinance may be required to forfeit not less than $40 nor more than $80 for the first violation and not less than $100 nor more than $200 for the 2nd or subsequent violation within a year.

349.135(2) (2) Any ordinance enacted under sub. (1) may not apply to any of the following:

349.135(2)(a) (a) The operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm.

349.135(2)(b) (b) The operator of a vehicle of a public utility. In this paragraph, public utility means any corporation, company, individual or association which furnishes products or services to the public, and which is regulated under ch. 195 or 196, including railroads, telecommunications, or telegraph companies and any company furnishing or producing heat, light, power, or water.

349.135(2)(c) (c) The operator of a vehicle that is being used for advertising purposes.

349.135(2)(d) (d) The operator of a vehicle that is being used in a community event or celebration, procession or assemblage.

349.135(2)(e) (e) The activation of a theft alarm signal device.

349.135(2)(f) (f) The operator of a motorcycle being operated outside of a business or residence district.

349.135 History History: 1995 a. 373; 1997 a. 35; 2015 a. 117; 2017 a. 365 s. 111.

349.137 349.137 Authority to regulate use of motor vehicle immobilization devices.

349.137(1) (1) In this section:

349.137(1)(b) (b) “Parking area” means an area used for parking that is not on a highway.

349.137(1)(c) (c) “Parking enforcer” means a person who enforces restrictions against unauthorized parking. The term includes a person who owns or operates a parking area and any employees or agents of an owner or operator.

349.137(1)(d) (d) “Removal fee” means a fee charged by a parking enforcer to remove an immobilization device, including any amounts imposed for parking in violation of a restriction against unauthorized parking.

349.137(1)(e) (e) “Unauthorized parking” means parking a motor vehicle in a parking area contrary to a sign posted under s. 346.55 (4).

349.137(2) (2) No person may use an immobilization device to immobilize a motor vehicle to enforce restrictions against unauthorized parking except in conformity with a municipal ordinance enacted under this section or a rule adopted under s. 36.11 (8).

349.137(3) (3) The governing body of any municipality may by ordinance or the chancellor of a campus of the University of Wisconsin System may by rule under s. 36.11 (8) provide for the use of immobilization devices to enforce restrictions against unauthorized parking. Any ordinance under this subsection or rule under s. 36.11 (8) shall do all of the following:

349.137(3)(a) (a) Require the owner or operator of a parking area in which immobilization devices may be used to post and maintain in a manner that is clearly visible to operators entering the parking area a sign at each vehicular entrance to the parking area. At least one additional sign shall be posted for every 10 parking spaces in the parking area. The ordinance or rule shall require all such signs to be at least 12 inches by 18 inches in size and to clearly indicate all of the following:

349.137(3)(a)1. 1. That unauthorized parking is prohibited in the parking area.

349.137(3)(a)2. 2. That an immobilization device may be used in the parking area to enforce restrictions against unauthorized parking.

349.137(3)(a)3. 3. Whether a removal fee will be charged to remove an immobilization device and, if so, the amount of the fee.

349.137(3)(ag) (ag) Prohibit a parking enforcer from using an immobilization device to immobilize a motor vehicle to enforce parking restrictions against unauthorized parking unless the parking enforcer possesses a valid license authorizing that activity issued by the municipality.

349.137(3)(am) (am) Establish a process by which the owner, lessee or operator of a motor vehicle may contest the propriety of the use of an immobilization device or the amount of a removal fee.

349.137(3)(b) (b) Require the parking enforcer, before using an immobilization device, to do all of the following:

349.137(3)(b)2. 2. Maintain in effect a policy of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance for injury or damage arising from the use of an immobilization device in an amount of at least $1,000,000 per use of an immobilization device.

349.137(3)(b)3. 3. Notwithstanding s. 346.94 (4), at the time of immobilization of a motor vehicle, place a written notice in a reasonably secure manner on the motor vehicle that clearly states all of the following:

349.137(3)(b)3.a. a. The name of the parking enforcer and a telephone number that a person may call to request the removal of the immobilization device.

349.137(3)(b)3.b. b. The amount of the removal fee, if any.

349.137(3)(b)3.c. c. The terms of the deferral agreement described in par. (d) 2.

349.137(3)(b)4. 4. Have a person available 24 hours a day either at the parking area or at the telephone number shown on the notice described in subd. 3. to take requests for removal and to remove the immobilization device.

349.137(3)(c) (c) Require the parking enforcer, before removing an immobilization device, to do all of the following:

349.137(3)(c)1. 1. Display prominently an identification card that identifies that person as a parking enforcer and that contains a photograph of that person.

349.137(3)(c)2. 2. Inform the owner, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle, orally and in writing, before removing an immobilization device, of all of the following:

349.137(3)(c)2.a. a. If a removal fee is charged, that the owner, lessee or operator is required either to pay the removal fee or to sign a deferral agreement described in par. (d) 2.

349.137(3)(c)2.b. b. That a parking enforcer may commence legal action to collect any removal fee that has not been paid within 14 days after the removal of an immobilization device.

349.137(3)(c)2.c. c. That the owner, lessee or operator of an immobilized motor vehicle may contest the propriety of the use of an immobilization device on his or her motor vehicle or the validity of a removal fee using the process described in par. (am), and may contest any legal action commenced to collect a removal fee.

349.137(3)(c)2.d. d. That, except for the payment of the removal fee or the signing of a deferral agreement, no person may be required to do anything to have an immobilization device removed.

349.137(3)(c)2.e. e. That, if a parking enforcer uses an immobilization device on a motor vehicle that is not parked in violation of a restriction against unauthorized parking, the owner, lessee or operator shall not be required to pay a removal fee and the parking enforcer shall be liable to the owner, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle for an amount equal to the removal fee.

349.137(3)(d) (d) Require the owner, lessee or operator of a motor vehicle to do any of the following before an immobilization device may be removed:

349.137(3)(d)1. 1. Pay the removal fee.

349.137(3)(d)2. 2. Sign a deferral agreement under which the person signing the agreement agrees to pay the removal fee to the parking enforcer or contest the removal fee, or the propriety of the use of an immobilization device on his or her motor vehicle, using the process described in par. (am) within 14 days after the immobilization device is removed.

349.137(3)(e) (e) Require the parking enforcer to remove the immobilization device without undue delay after receiving a request to remove the device, not to exceed 60 minutes whenever a request for removal is made by telephone.

349.137(3)(f) (f) Require that, whenever a deferral agreement is signed, the parking enforcer provide the owner, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle a copy of the signed deferral agreement.

349.137(3)(g) (g) Require a person who signs a deferral agreement and does not do any of the activities described in par. (d) 2. within 14 days after the removal of the immobilization device to pay an amount not to exceed 3 times the removal fee plus the reasonable costs incurred to collect the removal fee to the parking enforcer within 30 days after the removal of the immobilization device.

349.137(3)(h) (h) Require a parking enforcer who uses an immobilization device on a motor vehicle that is not parked in violation of a restriction against unauthorized parking to pay an amount equal to the removal fee to the owner, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle within 14 days after the determination that the immobilization device was used improperly.

349.137(3)(i) (i) Prohibit a parking enforcer from requiring a person to transfer any goods, perform any services, or waive any available legal rights or remedies, as a condition for removing an immobilization device, except as specified in par. (d).

349.137(3)(j) (j) Specify the maximum removal fee that may be charged.

349.137(4) (4) 

349.137(4)(a) (a) A municipality may enact or enforce any regulation of the use of immobilization devices to enforce parking restrictions that is not contrary to or inconsistent with this section.

349.137(4)(b) (b) A chancellor of a campus of the University of Wisconsin System may adopt or enforce any rule under s. 36.11 (8) regulating the use of immobilization devices to enforce parking restrictions that is not contrary to or inconsistent with this section.

349.137 History History: 1995 a. 434; 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 35 s. 437.

349.139 349.139 Authority to immobilize, remove, impound, and dispose of motor vehicles for nonmoving traffic violations.

349.139(1) (1) In this section:

349.139(1)(a) (a) “Habitual parking violator” means a person who has received, more than 60 days previously, 5 or more citations for nonmoving traffic violations that remain unpaid and for which the person has not scheduled an appearance in court in response to the citations.

349.139(1)(b) (b) “Immobilization device” has the meaning given in s. 341.65 (1) (a).

349.139(1)(c) (c) “Nonmoving traffic violation” has the meaning given in s. 345.28 (1) (c).

349.139(1)(d) (d) “Owner” has the meaning given in s. 341.65 (1) (am).

349.139(1)(e) (e) “Parking enforcer” means a traffic officer or any other person who enforces nonmoving traffic violations and who is employed by a municipality or county.

349.139(2) (2) The governing body of any municipality or county may by ordinance provide for the immobilization or removal, impoundment, and disposal of vehicles owned by habitual parking violators as provided in this section. Any ordinance under this section shall do all of the following:

349.139(2)(a) (a) Limit application of the ordinance to those motor vehicles for which all of the following apply:

349.139(2)(a)1. 1. The municipality or county has cited the owner of the motor vehicle for 5 or more nonmoving traffic violations that, at the time of the vehicle’s immobilization or removal, occurred more than 60 days previously and for which the owner has neither paid the forfeiture for each of these violations nor scheduled an appearance in court in response to each of these citations.

349.139(2)(a)2. 2.

349.139(2)(a)2.a. a. The municipality or county has mailed to the last-known address of the owner at least one notice that specifies, for each citation counted under subd. 1., the date on which the citation was issued, the license number or vehicle identification number of the vehicle involved, the place where the citation may be paid, the amount of the forfeiture, and the means by which the citation may be contested.

349.139(2)(a)2.b. b. The notice under subd. 2. a. shall also inform the owner that any motor vehicle owned by him or her may be immobilized with an immobilization device or removed and impounded if, within 60 days after the owner has received 5 or more citations and at the time the vehicle is immobilized or removed and impounded, the owner has neither paid the forfeiture for each violation that occurred more than 60 days previously nor scheduled an appearance in court in response to each citation issued more than 60 days previously for which the forfeiture has not been paid.

349.139(2)(a)2.c. c. The notice under this subdivision may be combined with any other notice provided by the municipality or county to the owner.

349.139(2)(b) (b) Authorize any parking enforcer who discovers any motor vehicle to which par. (a) applies that is legally or illegally parked on any portion of the street, highway, or publicly owned or leased parking facility within the corporate limits of the municipality or county to cause the motor vehicle to be immobilized with an immobilization device or removed to a suitable place of impoundment or both. Upon immobilization or removal of the motor vehicle, the parking enforcer shall follow the notification procedure specified in s. 341.65 (2) (b).

349.139(2)(c) (c) Specify whether the municipality or county may contract with a 3rd party for the performance of services related to immobilization or removal of motor vehicles. The services shall be rendered only at the request of a parking enforcer.

349.139(2)(d) (d) Provide for a reasonable removal fee, if any, that will be charged to remove an immobilization device placed on a vehicle under this section.

349.139(2)(e) (e) Provide for the recovery of reasonable towing or storage charges associated with the removal or impoundment of a vehicle, and of reasonable charges associated with disposal of a vehicle, under this section.

349.139(2)(f) (f) Require that, if the motor vehicle is immobilized, the parking enforcer or a 3rd-party contractor place in a highly visible location and a reasonably secure manner on the vehicle, at the time of immobilization, a written notice that does all of the following:

349.139(2)(f)1. 1. Warns any driver of the vehicle that the immobilization device has been placed on the vehicle.

349.139(2)(f)2. 2. Specifies, for each citation counted under par. (a) 1., the license number or vehicle identification number of the vehicle involved, the place where the citation may be paid, and the means by which the citation may be contested, or provides a telephone number at which an individual is available to provide this information 24 hours a day.

349.139(2)(f)3. 3. States the amount of the removal fee under par. (d), if any, that is in addition to any amount required to be paid as specified in the notice under par. (a) 2. a.

349.139(2)(g) (g) If the motor vehicle is immobilized in a time-limited, legal parking space, prohibit the municipality or county from issuing, after the vehicle’s immobilization, any citation for a time-limited nonmoving traffic violation for the vehicle within the first 4 hours after the vehicle is immobilized.

349.139(2)(h) (h) If the motor vehicle is immobilized, require the municipality or county, or a 3rd-party contractor, to remove, or provide sufficient information to allow the vehicle owner to remove, the immobilization device without undue delay, not to exceed 3 hours, after receiving notice that the person has satisfied the requirements for release of the motor vehicle under sub. (3) (b). The ordinance shall also provide a procedure for the municipality, county, or 3rd-party contractor to promptly receive notice when a person has satisfied the requirements for release of a motor vehicle under sub. (3) (b).

349.139(3) (3) 

349.139(3)(a) (a) Any motor vehicle immobilized or impounded as provided in sub. (2) shall remain immobilized or impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of as provided in this subsection and sub. (5).

349.139(3)(b) (b) The owner of a motor vehicle that is immobilized under sub. (2) may secure release of the motor vehicle by doing all of the following:

349.139(3)(b)1. 1. Paying any removal fee provided in sub. (2) (d).

349.139(3)(b)2. 2. Paying all forfeitures specified in each notice under sub. (2) (a) 2. a. for, or scheduling an appearance in court in response to, or a combination of paying forfeitures and scheduling appearances with respect to, all citations counted under sub. (2) (a) 1.

349.139(3)(c) (c) The owner of a motor vehicle that is removed and impounded under sub. (2) may secure release of the motor vehicle by doing all of the following:

349.139(3)(c)1. 1. Paying any charges provided in sub. (2) (e).

349.139(3)(c)2. 2. Paying all forfeitures specified in each notice under sub. (2) (a) 2. a. for, or scheduling an appearance in court in response to, or a combination of paying forfeitures and scheduling appearances with respect to, all citations counted under sub. (2) (a) 1.

349.139(3)(d) (d) If an owner secures release of a motor vehicle under par. (b) or (c) by scheduling an appearance in court and thereafter fails to appear or fails to comply with any court order with respect to any citation counted under sub. (2) (a) 1. for which the forfeiture has not been fully paid, including failure to satisfy in full any court-ordered payment plan or other agreement approved by the court, the court may order a law enforcement officer, or an authorized employee or contractor of the municipality or county, to immobilize the motor vehicle involved in the nonmoving traffic violations or the municipality or county may cause the motor vehicle to be immobilized or removed and impounded as provided under sub. (2). If the court orders the motor vehicle immobilized, upon compliance with the court order, the court shall order a law enforcement officer, or an authorized employee or contractor of the municipality or county, to remove the immobilization device.

349.139(3)(e) (e) Notwithstanding par. (a), if any motor vehicle immobilized or impounded is an unregistered motor vehicle for purposes of s. 341.65 or an abandoned motor vehicle for purposes of s. 342.40, the municipality or county may take any action authorized under s. 341.65 or 342.40. Any vehicle immobilized under this section for longer than the period specified in s. 342.40 (1m) shall be considered abandoned for purposes of s. 342.40.