(1) No execution sale of personal property shall be made unless 20 days previous notice of such sale has been given by posting a notice thereof in one public place of the town or municipality where such sale is to be had and, if the county where such sale is to be had maintains a website, by posting a notice on the website. If the town or municipality where such sale is to be had maintains a website, the town or municipality may also post a notice on its website. The notice shall specify the time and place of sale but when any property seized is likely to perish or depreciate in value before the expiration of the 20 days the court or a judge may order the same to be sold in such manner and upon such terms as the best interests of the parties demand. Every such sale shall be made at auction between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and no property shall be sold unless it is in view of those attending the sale, except as provided in ss. 71.91 (5) (c) 2. and 108.22 (3) (b) and in the case of the sale of the interest of the judgment debtor in property in the possession of a secured party. It shall be offered for sale in such lots and parcels as is calculated to bring the highest price.
815.29.Notice of sale of personal property, manner, adjournment.
Ch. 815: Executions · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceSection 815.29 requires 20 days’ posted notice (plus website posting where available) before an execution sale of personal property, sets the auction hours and viewing requirements, allows an expedited sale for perishable property, and lets the sale be adjourned the same way real estate sales are adjourned under section 815.31.
Full Text of Section 815.29
Plain-English Summary
Section 815.29(1) requires at least 20 days’ notice before an execution sale of personal property, given by posting a notice in one public place of the town or municipality where the sale will happen, and, if the county maintains a website, by posting notice there as well; the town or municipality may also post notice on its own website if it has one. The notice must specify the time and place of sale.
When property is likely to perish or lose value before the 20-day period runs, a court or judge may order it sold sooner, on whatever terms and in whatever manner best serve the parties’ interests.
Every sale happens at auction between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and the property generally must be in view of those attending, except for certain statutory exceptions and the sale of a judgment debtor’s interest in property held by a secured party. The officer must offer the property in the lots and parcels calculated to bring the highest price. Subsection (2) lets the sale be adjourned the same way real estate sales are adjourned under section 815.31.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much advance notice is required before an execution sale of personal property?
20 days, given by posting notice in one public place in the town or municipality where the sale will occur, plus posting on the county’s website if the county maintains one.
What if the seized property is likely to spoil before the 20-day notice period runs?
The court or a judge may order it sold sooner, in whatever manner and on whatever terms best serve the parties’ interests.
What hours must the auction occur within?
Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Does the property being sold have to be visible to people attending the sale?
Generally yes, except as provided in sections 71.91(5)(c)2. and 108.22(3)(b), and in the case of selling the judgment debtor’s interest in property held by a secured party.
Can an execution sale of personal property be postponed once it’s scheduled?
Yes. Section 815.29(2) lets it be adjourned the same way real estate sales are adjourned under section 815.31.
Amendment History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 761, 781 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 815.29; 2009 a. 325; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 157; 2017 a. 365 s. 112.
Source & verification. Section text and official notes are
reproduced verbatim from the Wisconsin Statutes, published by the
Wisconsin Legislature (Legislative Reference Bureau). Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: wisconsin execution sale personal property notice20 day notice execution sale wisconsinwis stat 815.29auction hours execution sale wisconsinperishable property expedited execution sale wisconsin