Rental Property Rules in Madison, WI (2026)
10 verified rental property rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Wisconsin Statute 66.1015 preempts all local rent control. Madison cannot enact rent stabilization, rent caps, or just-cause eviction protections. Landlord-tenant law governed by WI Stat 704 and ATCP 134.
Rental Property: Rent Control
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
Madison follows Wisconsin Statute 704 landlord-tenant law. Wisconsin does not require just-cause eviction; landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 28 days written notice. Madison adds tenant protections via MGO Chapter 32 Landlord-Tenant.
Rental Property: Just Cause Eviction
Some RestrictionsRental Registration
Madison requires rental property registration and periodic inspections under MGO Chapter 27 Building Inspection. Owners must register rental units and allow code inspections to verify habitability and safety standards.
Rental Property: Rental Registration
Some RestrictionsRelocation Assistance
Madison cannot mandate private landlord-funded relocation payments because of Wisconsin Act 76 (2018). Displacement assistance is instead handled through CDA emergency programs and federal Uniform Relocation Act funds for projects using federal aid.
Relocation Assistance for Displaced Tenants
Few RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Wisconsin Act 76 (2018) preempts Madison from imposing tougher local security deposit caps. Landlords must follow the statewide ATCP 134 framework, including a 21-day return clock and itemized deductions tied to actual damages.
Security Deposit Rules Under ATCP 134
Some RestrictionsWis. Admin. Code ATCP ch. 134 (residential rental practices)
This chapter applies to the rental of dwelling units located in this state, but does not apply to the rental or occupancy of any of the following: ATCP 134.01(1) (1) A dwelling unit operated by a public or private institution if occupancy is incidental to detention or the provision of medical, geriatric, educational, counseling, religious or similar services. ATCP 134.01(2) (2) A dwelling unit ...
No-Fault Evictions
Wisconsin permits no-fault non-renewal of month-to-month and term tenancies with 28 days written notice. Wisconsin Act 76 (2018) bars Madison from requiring just cause, so most non-renewals end the tenancy without stated reason.
No-Fault Termination Under Wisconsin Law
Few RestrictionsTenant Anti-Harassment
Madison enforces tenant protections through the Department of Civil Rights and ATCP 134. Landlords may not retaliate against tenants who report code violations, contact the Tenant Resource Center, or organize for habitability improvements.
Tenant Anti-Harassment Protections
Some RestrictionsSource-of-Income Discrimination
Wisconsin Act 317 (2017) preempts Madison's earlier ban on source-of-income housing discrimination, except that landlords may still not refuse Section 8 vouchers when public-housing authorities require nondiscrimination. Madison enforces the remaining protections through Equal Opportunities Ord. Ch. 39.
Source of Income Discrimination Limits
Some RestrictionsSection 8 Voucher Acceptance
After Wisconsin Act 317 (2017), Madison landlords are not required to accept Section 8 housing choice vouchers. The Community Development Authority (CDA) administers vouchers, while the Tenant Resource Center maintains lists of voucher-friendly buildings.
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance in Madison
Few RestrictionsEviction Moratorium History
During COVID-19, Madison and Dane County operated under federal CDC and Wisconsin Supreme Court rulings rather than a local moratorium. Today no local moratorium exists, and Wisconsin Act 76 prevents Madison from imposing one independently.
Pandemic-Era Eviction Moratorium History
Few RestrictionsLooking for Dane County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Dane County →