Rules by state
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the default statewide rule is that municipalities generally cannot make a home sale, title transfer, refinance, purchase, or residential move-in contingent on a local inspection, repair, compliance certificate, or related fee. In practice, some municipal code pages still post older or narrower sewer-compliance/change-of-ownership programs, so residents should check the current local code and ask the clerk/building department whether the ordinance is being enforced after Wis. Stat. § 706.22.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State law
- Wis. Stat. § 706.22 generally bars local governments from requiring inspections, repairs, compliance proof, or related fees before, at, or shortly after a sale, transfer, refinance, purchase, or residential occupancy, but it does not stop ordinary code enforcement that is not tied to the transaction.
Official resources in Wisconsin
Key facts for Wisconsin
- Wisconsin generally bars municipalities from tying inspections, repairs, compliance proof, or fees to sale, refinance, title transfer, purchase, or residential occupancy.
- Brown Deer’s code says time-of-sale lateral testing is reserved for possible future implementation; passing sewer certificates last 15 years, or 25 years for post-1997 new systems.
- Brown Deer’s occupancy-certificate page says certificates are required for businesses and new home construction, not ordinary residential resales.
- Cedar Grove still posts a sewer-compliance certificate ordinance triggered by sale or transfer; failed properties get 60- or 120-day correction periods.
- Cedar Grove allows a sale to close if the buyer files a work contract, escrows enough funds, and stipulates timely completion.
- Mequon and Bayside still post change-of-ownership sewer certificate ordinances; Bayside’s code gives 30 days after a noncompliance notice before new occupancy is allowed.
Cities with sale-triggered rules in Wisconsin
| City | program | type | fee | valid | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Milwaukee | Code Compliance Upon Change of Ownership / Certificate of Compliance | interior+exterior | — | — | The city states that at the time of sale the property is inspected and must be brought into compliance before the real estate transaction is completed. |
| Milwaukee Milwaukee | Certificate of Code Compliance | interior+exterior | — | — | In designated reinvestment areas and for non-owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings, the buyer must apply within 15 days of sale, transfer or conveyance. |
Helpful guides
- What is a point-of-sale inspection?
- Point-of-sale inspection vs. a buyer's home inspection
- Minnesota Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing (TISH) evaluations explained
- Ohio point-of-sale inspections: how the Cleveland-area programs work
Do you serve Wisconsin? Get a featured listing for $30/month, clearly labeled as a paid placement.