Public Health
Community Initiatives
Birth and death certificates can be obtained at the Register of Deeds in the Racine County Courthouse, 730 Wisconsin St. Call 262-636-3477 for more information.
Contact the Racine County Human Services Department at 262-638-7720 to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Women without health insurance, or whose health insurance does not adequately cover preventative services, may qualify for a free mammogram to screen for breast cancer or a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer. Visit the Wisconsin Well Woman Program page call the Program Coordinator at 262-636-9292 for more information.
Natural disasters and emergencies can happen with little to no warning, and assistance may not be available right away. It is important to be prepared so you and your family are safe until assistance arrives or until the emergency passes. See the Public Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness page for important information and tips on how to prepare for many types of situations.
Per City of Racine Municipal Code Section 70-90, dogs are not allowed at any time on the sand at North Beach, Zoo Beach, or Colonial Park. Unleashed dogs are prohibited at all parks and beaches.
Leashed dogs may be in the following parks: Azarian, Back, Carre-Hogle, Colbert, Crosswalk, Dodge, Erskine, Gaslight Pointe, Harris Plaza, Jonas, Dr. King Plaza, Lee, Maple Grove, Monument Square, Myers, Pierce Dr., Randolph, Reservoir, Riverside, Simonson, Springvale West, State-Hamilton, Thompson, and Wallis.
Leashed dogs may only be on the paved portions of the Root River and Michigan pathways in the following parks: N. Owen Davies, Washington, Island, Lincoln, Cedar Bend, Clayton, North Beach, Zoo Beach, and Pershing.
To let your dog off-leash, you may visit one of Racine County’s dog parks. Be sure to verify hours of operation, requirements, and restrictions prior to visiting.
The Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Division handles complaints regarding situations inside rental properties that contribute to unhealthy living conditions. Complaints may be filed online by completing and submitting the Rental Property Health Complaint Form. Call 262-636-9203 for more information.
For complaints related to electrical issues, call the City of Racine Electrical Inspector at 262-636-9163; for plumbing complaints, call the City of Racine Plumbing Inspector at 262-636-9164. Contact the City of Racine Building Department at 262-636-9464 for complaints regarding exterior complaints.
Call the Public Health Department Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203. Call the City of Racine Building Department at 262-636-9464 for all other exterior housing complaints.
Healthy Homes
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States next to smoking. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.
Radon can enter your home and other buildings through cracks in solid floors, construction joints, and walls, as well as gaps in suspended floors, around service pipes, walls, and water supply lines. Radon can contaminate the air you breathe and is found all over the U.S. in all types of buildings, including homes, offices, and schools.
- Test Your Home: Test Kits can be purchased from the Customer Service Department (Room 103) in Racine City Hall during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm). Short-term tests are $5; long-term tests are $10.
Tests are easy to complete, and will provide valuable information to help protect your family’s health. - Fix the Problem: If your home tests for high levels of Radon, work with a certified contractor to resolve the issue.
- Spread the Word: Inform friends and family members about the dangers of Radon, how to test for it, and how to eliminate it from their homes.
You may also get in touch with radon experts by calling 888-LOW-RADON. 888-569-7236
Laboratory
North Beach, Zoo Beach, and the off-shore swim zone at Samuel Myers Park open for swimming the first weekend in June and close the day after Labor Day. Additional information, including park hours, water temperature, and beach status can be found on the City of Racine’s Beaches page.
The City of Racine Public Health Department Laboratory performs water quality testing Monday-Friday at North Beach and Zoo Beach. The off-shore swim zone at Samuel Myers Park is tested once per week. Current beach status and water temperature can be viewed on the City of Racine’s home page, and Beaches page.
Lifeguards are present at North Beach ONLY from June through August from 10 am until 6 pm. Visitors are HIGHLY recommended to swim only within the “Protected Area” and should avoid swimming in either unprotected areas or “No Swimming” zones. Due to limited availability of certified lifeguards, lifeguards are NOT staffed at Zoo Beach or the Samuel Myers off-shore swim zone. Please see the Water Safety in Racine County storymap for more information.
No, with the exception of service animals, dogs and other animals are not allowed on City beaches by municipal ordinance Section 70-90.
Report an illegal discharge or dumping event using the Wisconsin DNR Violation Tip Hotline online form or by calling 800-847-9367. Violations may also be reported to the Public Health Department by calling 262-636-9203 or emailing PublicHealth@cityofracine.org
Feeding gulls is highly discouraged for several reasons:
- Human food is not as nutritious as gulls’ normal diet of fish and insects, and can cause serious health problems.
- Gulls trying to get food can be aggressive with people.
- Large groups of gulls attracted to food handouts leave waste on the sand that contains E. coli bacteria. E.coli can be harmful to humans and negatively affect water quality, potentially causing swimming advisories or beach closures.
Home & Environment
Racine Municipal Ordinance Section 10-67 states “Any person having knowledge or reason to believe any dog, cat, or ferret has bitten a person, shall immediately report, so far as is known, the name and address of the owner of the animal and the circumstances of such bite. Such report shall be made to the Racine Police Department.” “Individuals may make a report by calling the non-emergency number,” followed by existing icon and phone number. Add period after phone number 262-886-2300
Rabies vaccination protects pets and people: pets that are vaccinated against rabies are much less likely to contract the disease if bitten by an infected animal. Also, Racine Municipal Ordinance Section 10-65 requires a current rabies vaccination for all dogs, cats, and ferrets living within City limits.
The City of Racine Code of Ordinances, Sections 10-36 through 10-40, requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets be licensed each year. Licensed pets are more easily reunited with their families should they become lost as the tag numbers are linked with their owner’s contact information. Check the Public Health Department’s Animal Licensing & Ownership page for more information.
Well water test kits are available at the Department of Customer Service in Racine City Hall, 730 Washington Ave, Room 103. The kits are free of charge, but fees apply for each water test performed and vary based upon which testing lab is chosen. Call 262-636-9203 for more information.
All homes should be tested for radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Short term and long term test kits are available at the Department of Customer Service in Racine City Hall, 730 Washington Ave, Room 103. See the Healthy Homes page or call 262-636-9203 for more information.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services maintains a listing of Certified Radon Measurement and Mitigation Contractors.
Please visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website to report sick or dead wildlife: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/wildlifehealth, or call 608-267-0866.
Nail salons and manicurists are licensed through the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Complaints should be directed to DSPS and can be submitted online, faxed to 608-226-2264, or email at dsps@wisconsin.gov
No, a permit and a commercial grade kitchen is needed to make and sell food directly to consumers, with very limited exceptions: home-canned foods. Specifically, fruits or vegetables that are either naturally acidic or acidified by pickling or fermenting, and that have a pH of 4.6 or lower. Annual sales must total $5,000 or less, and the goods can be sold only at community or social events or farmers’ markets. The State of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has more information, or call the Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203.
Contact the Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203 or Racine City Hall, 730 Washington Ave, Room 103. Walk-in hours are Tuesday 8am-10am and Wednesday 2pm-4pm, OR by appointment.
The State of Wisconsin provides an exemption for people baking out of their homes. The exemption applies to baked goods that are not-potentially hazardous and sold directly to consumers. These requirements must be met or a permit and commercial kitchen is required to operate the business. For more information, visit the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) page for Home Bakers or contact the Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203.
Issues inside the home can be reported by submitting the Rental Property Health Complaint Form on the Public Health Department website. Issues on the outside of the home should be reported to the City of Racine Building Department at 262-636-9464 or by submitting the Rental Property Building Complaint Form.
The Public Health Department does not treat or exterminate bedbugs as they do not carry or transmit disease and are considered to be a nuisance pest. Call your landlord to report the bedbugs.
Here are some more tips and information:
The Public Health Department does not test, remove, or treat for mold. If you are concerned about the type of mold, you may purchase a test kit from most hardware store; samples of the mold are mailed to testing laboratories to confirm what type(s) of mold are present.
Regular, non-toxic, mold can be removed by cleaning the area thoroughly. Refer to the Mold Toolkit and Cleaning Mold in Your Home for information on cleaning and prevention in your home. If the mold is the result of a water leak from the roof, window, or pipe, submit a complaint by completing the Rental Property Health Complaint Form or the Rental Property Building Complaint Form. Call the Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203 for more information.
Mail Me Condoms
You will receive a padded white envelope containing the prevention supplies you requested along with information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), STI Clinics, and other services offered by the Public Health Department.
Receiving condoms shows that you are mature enough to practice safe sex. If you are concerned about having condoms mailed to your home, you can pick up free condoms at numerous community locations.
If you don’t live in the area, search online to find contact information for your local Public Health Department or HIV/AIDS organization, or call the City of Racine Public Health Department at 262-636-9431 for assistance.
Age and gender information are collected for statistical purposes. No information will ever be saved in a manner that can be linked to your name, address, or other information, nor will it be made available to others.
This Department offers daily STI testing appointments Monday through Friday. More information about the STI Clinic.
Detailed Condom Usage Information
CDC HIV/AIDS and STDs Information
Planned Parenthood STI Information
If you have questions or would like more information, call 262-636-9431.
Your Health
No, the Public Health Department does not have a doctor on staff. Public Health Nurses are available to offer health information or refer individuals to other community organizations. Residents requiring medical care will be directed to local healthcare providers or affordable medical clinics. For more details, call 262-636-9431
The Public Health Department does collect needles or sharps from community residents.
See Sharps Disposal for information on approved containers and a list of local registered collection sites.
No, but the Racine Police Department has a medicine collection bin in the lobby of 730 Center St. This collection bin is available for residents to use for the safe disposal of unused or expired medications. See Medicine Collection for more information about safe medication disposal. NEVER flush medication down the toilet – use other options.
Yes, blood pressure checks, health counseling, and health education are available by appointment. Call 262-636-9431 to schedule an appointment.
Yes, free pregnancy testing is available by calling 262-636-9431 to schedule an appointment.
Yes, birth control and emergency contraceptives are available. Please call 262-636-9431 for further information and to schedule an appointment.
Information is available by contacting the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line from 7 am to 11 pm daily at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669), or visiting WIQuitline.org.
TB (tuberculosis) skin tests are available to residents for $20. Call 262-636-9431 to schedule an appointment.
The Public Health Department Clinic offers immunizations for uninsured children and adults. Childhood immunizations are provided for $20 charge per visit since the Public Health Department participates in the Vaccines for Children Program through the State of Wisconsin. Some adult vaccines are also available for a fee for uninsured adults.
