Milwaukee Aims to Waive Fees for Landlords to Install Sprinklers

City leaders approve proposal to incentivize sprinkler installations in older apartment buildings following deadly fires.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Milwaukee's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee has approved a proposal that would waive city fees for landlords who voluntarily install sprinklers in apartment buildings with three or more units. The move comes after recent deadly fires in buildings without sprinklers, and aims to incentivize landlords to improve fire safety despite state law not requiring sprinklers in pre-1974 buildings.

Why it matters

The proposal is an effort by Milwaukee officials to improve fire safety and protect residents in older apartment buildings that currently lack sprinkler systems. While state law does not mandate sprinklers in these buildings, the city hopes the fee waivers will encourage more landlords to voluntarily install the life-saving equipment.

The details

Alderman Peter Burgelis introduced the proposal, which would waive the city's planning, permitting and inspection fees for landlords who add sprinklers to their buildings. However, landlords would still be responsible for the actual installation costs. A building with 48 units could have around $2,000 in fees waived, and the city estimates it could forgo about $35,000 in revenue over one year through the program. While some aldermen questioned the assumptions behind the fiscal impact, the committee ultimately approved the ordinance, which now heads to the full common council and Mayor Cavalier Johnson's desk.

  • The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee approved the proposal on February 24, 2026.

The players

Peter Burgelis

The Milwaukee alderman who introduced the proposal to waive city fees for landlords installing sprinklers.

Robert Bauman

A Milwaukee alderman who questioned the assumptions behind the city's estimated fiscal impact of the fee waivers.

Michael Mazmanian

The Deputy Commissioner of the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services, who acknowledged the difficulty in predicting the exact revenue loss from the fee waivers.

Cavalier Johnson

The Mayor of Milwaukee, who will receive the ordinance if approved by the common council.

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What they’re saying

“These are the city costs that would be associated with saving and protecting the health and life safety of residents in our community.”

— Peter Burgelis, Alderman (WISN)

“This is not free, but there seems to be some assumptions buried in that fiscal note, which I'd like you to expound upon, because I don't think there's too much of this going on at present.”

— Robert Bauman, Alderman (WISN)

“We tried to speculate, but it's all based on how many projects we might get of this nature coming in.”

— Michael Mazmanian, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Neighborhood Services (WISN)

What’s next

The ordinance will next go before the full Milwaukee Common Council. If approved, it will then be sent to Mayor Cavalier Johnson's desk for final approval.

The takeaway

Milwaukee's proposal to waive city fees for landlords who voluntarily install sprinklers in older apartment buildings is an effort to improve fire safety and protect residents, despite state law not requiring such upgrades. The city hopes the financial incentive will encourage more landlords to make these important life-saving improvements.