Wisconsin lawmakers propose bill requiring inspections of parking structures every 5 years
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- At the state Capitol, a bipartisan group of representatives introduced a bill to require periodic inspections of parking structures.
In a memo, the Milwaukee-area lawmakers wrote last year's partial collapse of a structure at Bayshore in Glendale prompted them to take action.
No one was hurt in the collapse, but two cars were destroyed and several others were trapped for weeks.
Right now, it's standard practice for inspections to take place during construction or after safety complaints. But there is no requirement for parking garages to have their structural integrity periodically inspected post-construction.
The lawmakers say their "common sense bill" would require inspections every five years.
Under the bill, if an owner fails to complete an inspection within five years, the Department of Safety and Professional Services will notify them and give them a six-month grace period followed by six months of $200 fines per month. If a parking structure owner fails to submit an inspection within the additional 12 months, DSPS would close the parking garage until an inspection is filed.