About the Department

Department Mandates

  • To review all Committee, Board and Commission reports submitted to the Common Council and prepare necessary Resolutions for action by the Common Council.
  • To construct additions and changes to the Municipal Code as directed by the Common Council with due regard for legal and ethical obligations.
  • To advise and/or counsel all Committees, Boards, Commissions, Administrators and agents of the City on proceedings and issues with due regard for legal and ethical obligations.
  • To represent or coordinate representation of the corporate body of the City of Racine in all legal proceedings, whether at the federal level, state level, local level, administrative level, regulatory level, or before other bodies having jurisdiction.

Statement of Department Values

  • The City Attorney’s Office shall provide effective legal representation to its client– the corporate body of the City of Racine.
  • To serve the members of the general public in a manner that does not conflict with the best interests of the City of Racine.
  • To treat all persons in a dignified and respectful manner without discrimination and without regard to economic or political status.

Claim Against the City

To file a claim against the City, download the following form:   Claim Form  Claim Form-Espanol

You have 120 days (about 4 months) from when the incident occurred to file a “Notice of Circumstances” with the Office of the City Clerk, 730 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI. 53403. The “Notice of Circumstances” must list when the incident happened, where it happened, and the people or objects involved.

You must also submit a “Notice of Claim” to the Office of the City Clerk when you know the final amount of your costs and expenses for the damages or injuries you believe were a result of the incident.

You should read section 893.80 of the Wisconsin Statutes for additional information about this process, or contact your insurance agent or attorney.

The Wisconsin Statutes are available online at: Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact Public Works at 262-636-9126

If you disagree with a parking ticket, you may request a court appearance at the Racine Police Department, 730 Center Street, Racine, WI 53403-1186, or by mailing a photocopy of your parking ticket and a photocopy of your driver’s license to:

Racine Police Department

730 Center Street

Racine, WI 53403-1186

Note: Only the registered owner of the vehicle can contest a parking ticket, although the actual driver may accompany the owner to all Court appearances.

If you have questions regarding this citation, please call 262-635-7750.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

Failure to pay within 14 days of issue date will result in additional penalties. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation will suspend your vehicle registration and refuse registration of any of your vehicles if you fail to pay or contest this ticket within 42 days from the issue date.

Late fees will not be added after a “Pretrial Conference” has been scheduled, but failure to appear will result in the immediate assessment of all late fees. Suspension of vehicle registration(s) will remain in effect until either the full payment of the citation or you have appeared at the “Pretrial Hearing.”

You must appear in person at the “Pretrial Hearing”, and cannot do this by a letter. At the Pretrial Hearing you will have the opportunity to discuss the circumstances of the ticket, and to determine whether you will need a Trial. Not all cases go to a Trial.

If you require an interpreter or other accommodation, you must notify the Municipal Court Clerk at least 7 days before your court date.

Failure to appear at your court hearing date or Pretrial Hearing date may result in a default judgment against you, which may include a money forfeiture, Driver’s License suspension, vehicle registration suspension, or the issuance of a Commitment for your arrest.

You may have an attorney help or represent you at any time, but you are not required to do so. The Public Defender’s Office does not get involved in this type of case.

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Transportation FAQ page for further information.

You can pay your ticket by mail, drop box, in person, or online. For further information, visit the Racine Police Department Parking Ticket Payment page.

See Chapter 94 of the Racine Municipal Codes.

Visit the Building Inspector’s page, or call their office at 262-636-9464.