Committee Advances Tenant Fire Safety Disclosure Ordinance Sponsored by Alderman Burgelis

The Common Council’s Public Safety & Health Committee today (Thursday, November 13) voted to advance a new Tenant Fire Safety Disclosure Ordinance (File #250302), authored by Alderman Peter Burgelis and co-sponsored by Alderman Scott Spiker, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, and Alderwoman Sharlen Moore, that strengthens transparency and accountability for fire safety standards in multi-family residential buildings.

The proposed ordinance requires lessors of residential buildings with three or more dwelling units to disclose to tenants that their building is:

• Fully up to date with current fire alarm and fire suppression system requirements (like sprinklers); or
• Exempt from current fire codes (like having sprinklers)

Residential buildings with 16 or more units or three or more stories operating under a legal exemption must undergo inspection at least once every six months to ensure continued compliance and safety.

“This ordinance is about basic transparency and protecting lives,” said Alderman Burgelis. “Renters deserve to know whether their building is fully up to code, legally exempt, or falling short of fire safety standards. Informed tenants can make safer choices, and responsible landlords can help build trust and accountability.”

The proposed ordinance will move next to the full Common Council for adoption at its next regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.