Chapter 86

86.195(3)(a)3. 3. Continuous operation of at least 16 hours a day, 7 days a week for freeways and expressways, and continuous operation of at least 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for other highways, provided automotive fuel is available under the energy fuel allocation program established under P.L. 93-159; and

86.195(3)(a)4. 4. Public telephone.

86.195(3)(b) (b) “FOOD” shall have:

86.195(3)(b)1. 1. Licensing or approval, where required:

86.195(3)(b)2. 2. Regular operation at least 5 days a week, opening for service no later than 10 a.m. and remaining open until at least 7 p.m.;

86.195(3)(b)3. 3. Fifty percent of the sales price, as defined in s. 77.51 (15b), of the business is from the sale of food and food ingredients, as defined in s. 77.51 (3t), that are taxable under subch. III of ch. 77 or that are bakery items produced by the seller; and

86.195(3)(b)4. 4. Public telephone.

86.195(3)(c) (c) “LODGING” shall have:

86.195(3)(c)1. 1. Licensing or approval, where required;

86.195(3)(c)2. 2. Adequate sleeping accommodations; and

86.195(3)(c)3. 3. Public telephone.

86.195(3)(d) (d) “CAMPING” shall have:

86.195(3)(d)1. 1. Licensing or approval, where required;

86.195(3)(d)2. 2. Adequate parking accommodations; and

86.195(3)(d)3. 3. Modern sanitary facilities and drinking water.

86.195(3)(e) (e) “ATTRACTION” shall have all of the following:

86.195(3)(e)1. 1. A primary purpose of providing amusement, historical, cultural, or leisure activities to the public.

86.195(3)(e)2. 2. Regional significance. For purposes of this subdivision, an agricultural research station owned or managed by a university has regional significance regardless of the number of visitors to the station.

86.195(3)(e)3. 3. Adequate parking accommodations.

86.195(4) (4) Location.

86.195(4)(a) (a) Specific information signs shall be located so as to take advantage of natural terrain, to have the least impact on the scenic environment and to avoid visual conflict with other signs within the highway right-of-way.

86.195(4)(b) (b) The relative location of successive specific information signs near a particular intersection shall be in the following order, as seen by the traveling public: “ATTRACTION”, “CAMPING”, “LODGING”, “FOOD” and “GAS”.

86.195(4)(c) (c) No business sign under sub. (3) (e) may be erected or maintained on a highway for a business that is more directly reached by any other highway on which specific information signs are authorized under sub. (2). No more than one business sign under sub. (3) (e) may be erected or maintained on a highway, for each direction of travel, for the same business.

86.195(5) (5) Criteria.

86.195(5)(a) (a) Distance to services.

86.195(5)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subds. 2. to 4., a motorist service may not be located more than 3 miles from the federal-aid primary or secondary highway on which the specific information sign for the motorist service is erected.

86.195(5)(a)2. 2. Except as provided in subds. 3. and 4., if no business in the category of motorist service is available within the 3-mile limit, the limit in subd. 1. may be extended in 3-mile increments to a maximum distance of 15 miles from the federal-aid primary or secondary highway until a business in the category of motorist service is reached.

86.195(5)(a)3. 3. Except as provided in subd. 4., if no business in the category of motorist service is available within the 3-mile limit, the limit in subd. 1. may, on or after May 8, 1990, be extended to a maximum distance of not more than 5 miles from the highway.

86.195(5)(a)4. 4. A business in the category of motorist service specified in sub. (3) (e) may not be located more than 30 miles from the federal-aid primary or secondary highway on which the specific information sign for the motorist service is erected.

86.195(5)(b) (b) Number of signs permitted. No more than 4 specific information signs for each category of motorist service may be erected along an approach to an interchange or intersection. No specific information sign may contain more than 6 business signs.

86.195(5)(c) (c) Conformity with discrimination laws. Each business identified as a motorist service on a specific information sign shall, as a condition of eligibility for erection, installation and maintenance of a sign under this section, give written assurance to the department that the business conforms with all applicable laws concerning the provisions of public accommodations without regard to race, religion, color, sex or national origin.

86.195(6) (6) Composition.

86.195(6)(a) (a) Specific information signs and business signs shall have a blue reflectorized background with a white reflectorized border and white reflectorized legend. Sign panels may be illuminated.

86.195(6)(b) (b) The design, lettering, spacing and size of specific information signs and business signs shall conform with the federal standards on specific information signs adopted under 23 USC 131 (f) on November 1, 1982 and with the manual of uniform traffic control devices adopted by the department under s. 84.02 (4) (e).

86.195(7) (7) Exit ramp signs. If motorist services are not visible from the ramp terminal at single exit interchanges on freeways and expressways, specific information signs shall be installed along the ramp or at the ramp terminal and may be provided along the crossroad.

86.195(8) (8) Seasonal services. Any sign for a “LODGING” or “CAMPING” motorist service which is operated on a seasonal basis shall be removed or covered during off seasons. The cost of removal and replacement or covering and uncovering shall be included in the fee paid.

86.195(9) (9) Sign removal.

86.195(9)(a) (a) A sign may be removed upon the following grounds:

86.195(9)(a)1. 1. Failure to comply with the applicable motor service standards under sub. (3).

86.195(9)(a)2. 2. Failure to comply with the assurance of nondiscrimination required by sub. (5) (c).

86.195(9)(a)3. 3. Failure to pay the permit fee or the fee for the erection, installation or maintenance of a sign.

86.195(9)(b) (b) Contested cases concerning removals under this subsection shall be heard and decided by the division of hearings and appeals.

86.195(9)(c) (c) Sign removal shall not affect a sign requester’s liability for unpaid fees.

86.195(10) (10) Compliance with federal law.

86.195(10)(a) (a) Subsections (2) to (8) are adapted from and in substantial conformity with the federal standards promulgated by the U.S. secretary of transportation under 23 USC 109 (d), 131 (f) and 315 as codified in 23 CFR 655.301 to 655.310 (1980).

86.195(10)(b) (b) If, after November 1, 1982, the federal standards become more restrictive, the department shall submit proposed legislation to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, as designated by the presiding officer of each house to bring this section into compliance with the federal standards. The department may promulgate an emergency administrative rule under s. 227.24 which supersedes this section until such time as the legislature acts on the legislation submitted under this paragraph or until the expiration of the effective period of the rule under s. 227.24 (1) (c) or (2), whichever comes first.

86.195 History History: 1981 c. 362, 391; 1985 a. 29; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1987 a. 137; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; 1989 a. 98, 315; 1991 a. 265, 269, 315; 1993 a. 16, 237, 246; 1997 a. 124, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 63, 136, 309; 2007 a. 55; 2009 a. 2, 28, 153; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 360; 2021 a. 244.

86.195 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Trans 200.06, Wis. adm. code.

86.196 86.196 Tourist-oriented directional signs.

86.196(1) (1) In this section:

86.196(1)(a) (a) “Tourist-oriented directional sign” means a sign providing identification of and directional information for tourist-related businesses, services or activities.

86.196(1)(b) (b) “Tourist-related business, service or activity” means a business, service or activity the major portion of whose income or visitors is derived during the normal business season from motorists not residing in the immediate area where the business, service or activity is located.

86.196(1)(c) (c) “Urban areas” means the areas located within the urban area boundaries contained in the January 1, 1989, document prepared by the department in cooperation with the federal highway administration and entitled “Urban Federal Aid Systems”.

86.196(2) (2) The department shall establish by rule standards for tourist-oriented directional signs. The rule shall conform to federal standards for tourist-oriented directional signs adopted under 23 USC 131 (q) and with the manual of uniform traffic control devices adopted by the department under s. 84.02 (4) (e). The rule shall include all of the following:

86.196(2)(a) (a) Criteria for eligibility for signing.

86.196(2)(b) (b) Criteria for limiting or excluding businesses, services and activities that maintain signs that do not conform to requirements under s. 84.30.

86.196(2)(c) (c) Provisions for fees to cover costs of sign manufacture, erection and maintenance to be collected through a permit system.

86.196(2)(d) (d) Provisions specifying sign design and composition.

86.196(2)(f) (f) Criteria for determining when to permit advance signing.

86.196(2)(g) (g) Criteria for determining when to permit signing for facilities that are not located on a crossroad of a highway upon which tourist-oriented directional signs are permitted.

86.196(2)(h) (h) Criteria for signing at at-grade intersections of expressways.

86.196(2)(i) (i) Provisions specifying conditions under which the time of operation of a business, service or activity is shown.

86.196(2)(j) (j) Provisions for covering or removing signs during off seasons for businesses, services and activities operated on a seasonal basis.

86.196(2)(k) (k) Provisions specifying the maximum number of signs permitted per intersection.

86.196(2)(L) (L) Provisions for limiting the number of signs and for establishing information centers when the number of eligible sign applicants exceeds the maximum number of tourist-oriented directional signs permitted.

86.196(2)(m) (m) Provisions to integrate specific information signs erected under s. 86.195 with tourist-oriented directional signs erected under this section.

86.196(3) (3) Upon the request of any person, a local authority that has adopted an ordinance permitting the erection of tourist-oriented directional signs may authorize their erection within the right-of-way of any highway under the jurisdiction of the local authority, except that tourist-oriented directional signs may be erected only outside of urban areas and not within the right-of-way of a freeway or the right-of-way of any highway designated in s. 86.195 (2) (ag) for specific information signs. No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected unless it is erected in compliance with rules promulgated by the department for such signs.

86.196(4) (4) The department may contract for the erection, installation and maintenance of tourist-oriented directional signs within the right-of-way of any highway under the jurisdiction of the department, except that tourist-oriented directional signs may be erected only outside of urban areas and not within the right-of-way of a freeway or the right-of-way of any highway designated in s. 86.195 (2) (ag) for specific information signs. No tourist-oriented directional sign may be erected unless it is erected in compliance with rules promulgated by the department for such signs.

86.196(5) (5) A tourist-related business, service or activity may not be located more than 5 miles from the highway on which the tourist-oriented directional sign for that business, service or activity is erected.

86.196(6) (6) Notwithstanding any eligibility criteria established under this section and rules promulgated under this section, the department shall install and maintain, on I 94 in Milwaukee County, 2 signs meeting the specifications under this section and rules promulgated under this section. One sign shall be viewable from the northbound lanes of I 94 and shall be located between Rawson Avenue and College Avenue. The other sign shall be viewable from the eastbound lanes of I 94 and shall be located in the proximity of the Waukesha County line. Both signs shall highlight lakefront attractions in the city of Milwaukee and shall include information about the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, Summerfest, and the Milwaukee County War Memorial.

86.196 History History: 1989 a. 98, 315; 2007 a. 20.

86.196 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Trans 200.03 and 200.08, Wis. adm. code.

86.20 86.20 Interstate bridge corporations. Any corporation organized for the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining a bridge over navigable boundary waters of this state and authorized by congress to erect such bridge shall have all the rights and powers with respect to entry upon, and acquisition, of real estate for the construction, operation and maintenance of such bridge, with the necessary approaches, terminals and appurtenances thereto, that are possessed by railroad corporations.

86.21 86.21 Interstate toll bridges.

86.21(1) (1) Any county or town, or any village or city however organized, bordering upon any navigable waters which form the boundary line between this and another state, may construct, maintain and operate a foot and vehicular toll bridge over and across such river or waters, commencing at a point within or near the limits of such county, town, village or city, and may acquire land in this and in such other state for approaches, abutments and piers, or may acquire, maintain and operate any such toll bridge which spans any such river or waters, whether such bridge is located wholly or partly only within the boundaries of this state and whether such bridge is located within or only partly within and partly without the limits of such county, town, village or city.

86.21(2) (2) 

86.21(2)(a) (a) Before any such toll bridge is constructed or acquired under this section, a resolution authorizing the construction or acquisition thereof, and specifying the method of payment therefor, shall be adopted by a majority of the members of the governing body of such county, town, village or city at a regular meeting, after publication of said resolution, as a class 2 notice, under ch. 985. The resolution shall include a general description of the property it is proposed to acquire or construct. Any county, town, village or city constructing or acquiring a toll bridge under this section may provide for the payment of the same or any part thereof from the general fund, from taxation, or from the proceeds of either municipal bonds, revenue bonds or as otherwise provided by law. Such resolution shall not be effective until 15 days after its passage and publication. If within said 15 days a petition conforming to the requirements of s. 8.40 is filed with the clerk of such municipality, and filed as provided in s. 8.37, signed by at least 20 percent of the electors thereof requesting that the question of acquiring such toll bridge be submitted to the said electors, such question shall be submitted at the next general or regular municipal election that is held not sooner than 70 days from the date of filing such petition. The question submitted to the electors shall specify the method of payment for such toll bridge as provided in the resolution for the acquisition thereof. If no such petition is filed, or if the majority of votes cast at such referendum election are in favor of the acquisition of such toll bridge, then the resolution of the governing body for the acquisition of such toll bridge shall be in effect.

86.21(2)(b) (b) Where such payment is to be made in whole or in part through the issuance of revenue bonds, such bonds shall be issued as provided in s. 66.0621. The amount of all incidental expenses incurred in connection with the construction or acquisition of the bridge and in connection with the authorization and issuance of the bonds may be included in the amount for which bonds are issued. Such revenue bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues to be derived from the operation of the bridge or bridges as acquired or constructed, and shall not constitute an indebtedness of the county, town, village or city. Any toll bridge property owned or acquired pursuant to this section is declared to be a public utility. The provisions of s. 66.0805 shall be applicable to the management of such bridge and the provisions of ss. 66.0621 and 66.0805 shall govern insofar as they may be applicable. For purposes of management, operation and financing, 2 or more such bridges, whether acquired or constructed, may be combined into a single project or public utility, and such revenue bonds may be issued payable from the revenues of such combined project or utility.

86.21 History History: 1983 a. 207; 1989 a. 192; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 1999 a. 182; 2005 a. 146; 2011 a. 75.

86.22 86.22 Interstate railroad bridges must have convenient approaches. Each corporation incorporated under the laws of this state and granted a franchise or permit by the U.S. congress to construct, maintain and operate a railroad bridge and provide for the passage of persons and vehicles across the waters forming a boundary line between this and any other state and to forever maintain the bridge in accessible and serviceable condition, shall construct or cause to be constructed, approaches making the bridge accessible and serviceable for the use of persons and vehicles as a connection between this state and the state connected therewith by the bridge, so that the bridge shall be accessible and serviceable to persons and vehicles at the time such bridge is used for railroad service, and if any such corporation fails or refuses to comply with this section within one year from the time the bridge is used for railroad service the charter of the corporation granted by this state shall thereupon be forfeited, as a result of the failure or refusal to comply with this section, without any further action whatever and the corporation shall forthwith discontinue the transaction or operation of its business in this state.

86.22 History History: 1979 c. 110, 355; 1985 a. 187.

86.23 86.23 Maintenance of drawbridges owned jointly.

86.23(1) (1) Each swing or drawbridge built or purchased by any city and town or by any other 2 municipalities, situated so that a part of the bridge is in one municipality and a part in another, shall be operated and maintained at the joint expense of the municipalities that built or purchased the bridge in proportion to the amount of the cost of the bridge borne by each. If either municipality does not provide for or pay its full share of the expense of operating or maintaining the bridge in any year the other may provide for or pay the expense.

86.23(2) (2) A municipality that pays any portion of another municipality’s share of the expenses of operating and maintaining a bridge under sub. (1) may recover the amount of the payment from the defaulting municipality, with interest from the time of payment and costs of suit. No action under this subsection to recover a payment may be brought until 30 days after demand of payment is made.

86.23 History History: 1997 a. 253.

86.25 86.25 Municipal cooperation as to highways improved with state or federal aid.

86.25(1) (1) Any county, city, village or town may by any lawful means provide funds to match or supplement state or federal aid for the construction, reconstruction or improvement, under ch. 84, of any highway, street or bridge which it is authorized to construct, reconstruct or improve, and to pay such funds to the department or state treasury as provided in s. 84.03 (1) (b).

86.25(1m) (1m) If lands or interests in lands necessary for an improvement under ch. 84 are acquired by a county or local municipality specifically for such improvement, the department may reimburse such county or local municipality therefor from funds available for such improvement.

86.25(2) (2) Any county, city, village or town, through its governing body or a committee which it may designate, may enter into agreements with the department providing for the construction, reconstruction or improvement with state or federal aid, of highways, streets or bridges which such county, city, village or town is authorized to construct, reconstruct or improve, providing for the subsequent maintenance by such county, city, village or town of any such highway, street or bridge improved with state or federal aid which it has authority to maintain, and providing for the subsequent regulation as to the location, form and character of informational, regulatory and warning signs, curb and pavement or other markings and traffic signals on any such highway, street or bridge improved with state or federal aid.