In a bid to enhance safety in older Milwaukee buildings, city officials have proposed an ordinance aimed at motivating landlords to install fire sprinkler systems. This initiative comes following a tragic fire incident that resulted in the loss of five lives and displaced about 100 people last year.
The building involved in the incident was built in 1968 and did not require a sprinkler system by state law. The newly proposed ordinance, which has gained unanimous support from the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee, seeks to temporarily eliminate all permitting and inspection fees associated with installing sprinkler systems in older, exempt buildings.
Milwaukee Alder Peter Burgelis, who introduced the measure, stated, “And those fees the city can certainly take a look at waiving to help encourage landlords to install this life safety equipment in their buildings.” Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski has also voiced his support, emphasizing, “Being in a building with sprinklers saves lives.”
Other significant fires have occurred in Milwaukee buildings lacking sprinkler systems since the Highland Court Apartment complex fire in May 2025. Lipski remarked, “That wasn’t the only tragedy, it won’t be the only tragedy,” highlighting the risks associated with non-sprinklered buildings.
Two fatalities were reported in November following a fire in a 20-unit apartment without sprinklers, as noted in a WISN-12 report. Additionally, on Feb. 1, eight people were rescued from another fire in a sprinkler-less building, according to Milwaukee Alder Larresa Taylor. “The building is not equipped with a sprinkler system, a potentially fatal scenario for those living in the building and in far too many similar apartment buildings and complexes across Milwaukee,” Taylor mentioned in a statement.
In November, Milwaukee enacted an ordinance requiring landlords of multi-family buildings to inform tenants about the presence of sprinkler systems. It also mandates biannual inspections for larger buildings without sprinklers. Since 1974, state law requires sprinkler systems in buildings taller than 60 feet, but older structures are exempt.
“The city can’t require any property owner to install sprinklers. That would be covered by state law,” Burgelis explained. “But what the city can do is require twice the frequency of fire inspections, because those buildings are inherently less safe.” The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services is currently assessing how many pre-1974 buildings lack sprinklers.
Despite state bills proposed by Democratic lawmakers to address fire safety concerns, no progress has been made in the Legislature. These bills include offering grants for sprinkler installations, allowing municipalities to mandate sprinklers in any building, and auditing the prevalence of fire suppression systems in apartments.
State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, commented on the lack of progress, stating, “I believe it is important to be clear that these proposals did not fail on their merits, but that they were never given the opportunity to be heard.” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has expressed concerns that such mandates could exacerbate the housing crisis in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Common Council expected to vote on March 3
The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services records only one instance of a building being retrofitted with sprinklers in the past nine years. Michael Mazmanian, deputy commissioner for the department, noted that fees for that project constituted about 2 percent of the total installation cost. Jason Golec, building construction inspection division manager, stated the department would consider staffing adjustments if the ordinance leads to increased demand.
A vote on the ordinance by the Milwaukee Common Council is anticipated on March 3. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s spokesperson, Jeff Fleming, mentioned the mayor’s support for retrofitting older buildings with sprinklers. Meanwhile, Burgelis is considering an ordinance requiring landlords to display a “fire safety score” at building entrances to inform residents and visitors of their safety status.
Investigations into the Highland Court Apartment complex fire are ongoing. A new property owner has submitted an application for repairs, according to the Department of Neighborhood Services.
