No, sleeping on a refrigerator is not illegal in Wisconsin backyards under state law—it’s a debunked urban legend stemming from misinterpretations of outdated “dumb laws” lists.
Origins of the Myth
Circulating lists claim Wisconsin bans sleeping atop refrigerators outdoors, often tied to a 1940s federal safety statute (Wis. Stat. § 167.25) on abandoning refrigerators to prevent child entrapment.
No active Wisconsin statute or code prohibits such an absurd act; it’s folklore amplified online, lacking any legal basis.
Actual Backyard Regulations
Wisconsin enforces zoning, nuisance, and Uniform Dwelling Code rules for backyards, focusing on safety like CO detectors near sleeping areas or egress for habitable spaces.
Local ordinances might address yard clutter or makeshift shelters as violations, but refrigerators themselves aren’t singled out beyond abandonment rules.
Property owners should check municipal codes for junk storage or camping bans, as cities like Milwaukee regulate outdoor living structures.
