Tiny home rules in Milwaukee, WI — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Milwaukee does not permit tiny homes on wheels as permanent dwellings. Tiny houses on foundations must meet the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code minimum 400 square feet.
Milwaukee Chapter 295 treats tiny houses on wheels as recreational vehicles and prohibits their use as permanent dwellings inside the city. Tiny houses on permanent foundations may be built if they meet the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code, including a minimum dwelling area of around 400 square feet, minimum ceiling heights, egress windows, and full mechanical systems. Tiny homes as ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are not yet broadly permitted in Milwaukee; proposals must go through Board of Zoning Appeals and comply with lot-area and setback standards. Parking an RV or tiny-home trailer on-site for more than 14 days is prohibited.
Illegal tiny home occupancy is a $500 to $2,500 violation plus removal order. Continued violations may escalate to injunctive action.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Chapter 80 nuisance authority and Chapter 275 property maintenance provis...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 80-63 noise standards could theoretically apply to overnight blow...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA/condo covenants and Histori...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Permits route through DNS LMS Onli...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee has no specific smoker ordinance. Chapter 80 (Public Nuisance) and Chapter 200-50 (Health Code) provide nuisance authority for excessive smoke. Wis...
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Fire Code (Chapter 215) adopts the 2015 IFC with local amendments. IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tanks over 1 lb on c...
See how Milwaukee's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.