Rental Property Rules in Cheyenne, WY: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Cheyenne or are thinking about moving there, rental property rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Cheyenne has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of rental property rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Just Cause Eviction

Cheyenne and Wyoming do not require just cause for residential eviction at end of lease. Landlords may decline to renew for any non-discriminatory reason, with statutory notice periods for non-renewal and grounds-based mid-lease termination.

Key details: Just cause: Not required. Notice required: Statutory minimums. Mid-lease: Grounds required. Federal floor: Fair Housing Act.

Discriminatory non-renewal based on protected class violates the federal Fair Housing Act and exposes the landlord to HUD complaints and damages.

The rules around just cause eviction in Cheyenne lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rent Control

Cheyenne and Wyoming do not impose any form of residential rent control or rent stabilization. Landlords may set initial rent and renewal rent at market rates without statutory caps, subject only to the lease terms negotiated with tenants.

Key details: City rent control: None. State rent control: None. Annual increase cap: No statutory limit. Mid-lease changes: Lease terms govern.

Although rent levels themselves are unregulated, raising rent mid-lease without contractual authority breaches the lease and may give the tenant a legal defense or counterclaim.

Cheyenne is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

Source-of-Income Discrimination

Cheyenne and Wyoming do not prohibit landlord refusal to accept Section 8 housing choice vouchers or other government rental assistance as a source of income, leaving voucher acceptance entirely voluntary for landlords.

Key details: City protection: None. State protection: None. Federal floor: Fair Housing Act only. Voucher refusal: Generally lawful.

Refusing voucher tenants is generally lawful, but applying refusal as a pretext for discrimination based on race, disability, or family status still violates federal Fair Housing Act protections.

The rules around source-of-income discrimination in Cheyenne lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Rental Registration

Cheyenne does not operate a citywide mandatory rental registration program for long-term residential rentals, relying instead on complaint-based code enforcement under the building, fire, and property maintenance ordinances.

Key details: Mandatory registration: No citywide program. Enforcement model: Complaint-based. Property code: IPMC adopted. WY landlord-tenant: Minimal protections.

Landlords ignoring complaint-based code enforcement notices for habitability defects face daily fines, court orders to repair, and in extreme cases condemnation of the dwelling unit.

Cheyenne is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rental registration. That said, there are still limits.

Security Deposit Rules

Wyoming statute governs Cheyenne security deposits, requiring return within 30 days of termination minus itemized deductions for unpaid rent, damages beyond ordinary wear, and other lease-permitted charges.

Key details: Statute: WY Stat 1-21-1208. Return deadline: 30 days standard. Hazardous extension: Up to 60 days. Cap amount: No statutory cap.

Withholding the deposit without itemized statement, missing the 30-day deadline, or deducting for ordinary wear-and-tear exposes landlords to court orders for full return plus statutory damages.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Cheyenne gives residents more room on rental property rules. 4 of the 5 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Cheyenne's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.