Cal. Civ. Code § 100.26
Penalties.
Operative Text
100.26 Penalties. (1) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, except s. 100.18, 100.20, 100.206 or 100.51, for which no specific penalty is prescribed shall be fined not to exceed $200, or imprisoned in the county jail not more than 6 months or both. (2) Any person violating s. 100.02 is guilty of a Class I felony. (3) Any person who violates s. 100.15 or 100.19, or who intentionally refuses, neglects or fails to obey any regulation or order made or issued under s. 100.19 or 100.20, shall, for each offense, be fined not less than $25 nor more than $5,000, or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year or both. (4) Any person who violates s. 100.18 (1) to (8) or (10) or 100.182 is subject to a civil forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $200 for each violation. (4m) Any person who violates s. 100.18 (10r) is subject to a civil forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation. (5) Any person violating s. 100.18 (9) may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. (6) The department, the department of justice, after consulting with the department, or any district attorney may commence an action in the name of the state to recover a civil forfeiture to the state of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation of an injunction issued under s. 100.18, 100.182 or 100.20 (6). The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or any district attorney may commence an action in the name of the state to recover a civil forfeiture to the state of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation of an order issued under s. 100.20. (7) Any person violating s. 100.182 may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both for each offense. Each unlawful advertisement published, printed or mailed on separate days or in separate publications, hand bills or direct mailings is a separate violation of this section. (8) Any person who violates s. 100.46 may be required to forfeit not more than $100. (9) Any person who violates s. 100.30 (7) (a) is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $200 for each violation.
Wisconsin Statute § 100.26 establishes a tiered penalty structure for violations of Chapter 100, which governs trade and commerce practices including consumer protection and advertising rules. Depending on which specific section of Chapter 100 is violated, consequences range from modest civil forfeitures (as low as $25) to felony criminal liability, with fines reaching up to $10,000 and potential jail or prison time. Some violations are treated as continuing offenses, meaning each day or each separate publication can count as an independent violation, multiplying potential exposure. The statute designates multiple enforcement authorities, including the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Department of Justice, each with defined roles in bringing enforcement actions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Wisconsin should be aware that § 100.26 ties specific penalty levels to specific sections of Chapter 100, so the nature of a violation—whether it involves trade practices, advertising, or consumer protection orders—determines the severity of consequences. Compliant operators generally ensure that any advertising or marketing materials meet the standards set out in the referenced sections, since each separate publication or mailing can constitute a distinct offense under this provision. Operators who receive a regulatory order under the referenced sections typically treat compliance as an ongoing obligation, given that each day of noncompliance may be counted as a separate violation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who believe a landlord or housing provider has engaged in deceptive trade practices or false advertising in violation of Chapter 100 may find that § 100.26 provides meaningful enforcement teeth, including civil forfeitures and, in some cases, criminal penalties. Under this provision, enforcement can be initiated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Department of Justice, or a local district attorney, so tenants generally have the option of filing a complaint with one of those bodies. Tenant-rights organizations can help individuals understand which section of Chapter 100 may apply to their situation and what enforcement pathways are available under § 100.26.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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