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Short-Term Rentals in Madison, WI (2026)

13 verified short-term rentals rules for Madison, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Permit Requirements

Madison requires all short-term rentals to obtain a Tourist Rooming House license under MGO Chapter 32 and state DATCP. Non-owner-occupied STRs are capped at 30 nights per year unless the property qualifies as owner-occupied primary residence.

Short Term Rentals: Permit Requirements

Heavy Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Madison STR operators must enforce city noise ordinance MGO 24.04 with quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM. Hosts are responsible for guest conduct, and repeated noise complaints can jeopardize the Tourist Rooming House license.

Short Term Rentals: Noise Rules

Heavy Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Madison STR hosts must collect Wisconsin 5% state sales tax, 0.5% Dane County tax, and Madison 10% room tax on all stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect state tax, but hosts often must remit city room tax directly.

Short Term Rentals: Taxes Fees

Some Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Madison STRs must provide off-street parking per MGO Chapter 28 zoning standards, typically one space per bedroom. Street parking restrictions, including alternate-side winter rules, apply to guests.

Short Term Rentals: Parking Rules

Some Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Madison STR occupancy is limited by bedroom count and building code egress standards, typically 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, per MGO Chapter 32 licensing standards.

Short Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits

Some Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Madison does not require a specific insurance minimum for STRs, but Tourist Rooming House licensing expects adequate commercial liability coverage. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity.

Short Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements

Some Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Madison caps non-owner-occupied short-term rentals at 30 nights per calendar year under WI Stat. 66.1014 and MGO Chapter 32. Owner-occupied primary residences have no night cap but the 30-day minimum stay rule applies when the owner is absent for longer periods.

Short Term Rentals: Night Caps

Heavy Restrictions

Wis. Stat. §66.1014

66.1014 Limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited. (1) In this section: (a) "Political subdivision" means any city, village, town, or county. (b) "Residential dwelling" means any building, structure, or part of the building or structure, that is used or intended to be used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons maintaining a common household, to the...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Madison STR hosts must complete an annual registration with Public Health Madison Dane County, pass a life-safety inspection, post the license number in listings, and renew each year under MGO Chapter 32.

Short Term Rentals: Registration Rules

Heavy Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Madison Sec. 28.131 requires that tourist rooming houses be located within an owner-occupied dwelling unless the operator obtains a separate conditional use permit. Hosts generally must reside on the property as their primary residence to qualify for routine STR registration.

Host Presence Required for Tourist Rooming Houses

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014 (limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited)

66.1014 Limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited. 66.1014(1) (1) In this section: 66.1014(1)(a) (a) “Political subdivision” means any city, village, town, or county. 66.1014(1)(b) (b) “Residential dwelling” means any building, structure, or part of the building or structure, that is used or intended to be used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Madison treats short-term rentals as accessory uses to a primary residence. Operators must demonstrate that the dwelling is their principal place of habitation, typically through tax records, voter registration, or a Wisconsin driver license bearing the property address.

Primary Residence Standard for STR Registration

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014 (limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited)

66.1014 Limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited. 66.1014(1) (1) In this section: 66.1014(1)(a) (a) “Political subdivision” means any city, village, town, or county. 66.1014(1)(b) (b) “Residential dwelling” means any building, structure, or part of the building or structure, that is used or intended to be used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Extended Home Share

Stays of more than 30 consecutive days at a Madison dwelling generally fall outside the tourist rooming house definition and instead trigger landlord-tenant law. Hosts switch from short-term licensing duties to standard residential rental obligations and Wis. Stat. Ch. 704.

Extended Home-Share Stays Beyond 30 Days

Few Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Repeat Violator Strikes

Madison's chronic nuisance ordinance (MGO Sec. 25.09) lets the City designate a property a chronic nuisance after three documented incidents within 12 months. STR operators face license non-renewal, abatement orders, and cost recovery for excessive police service.

Repeat Nuisance Strikes Against STR Operators

Heavy Restrictions
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Platform Liability

Wisconsin Act 55 (2019) requires lodging marketplaces like Airbnb and Vrbo to collect state and local room taxes for Wisconsin listings. Madison enforces room tax under MGO Sec. 4.21 and expects valid license numbers in every listing.

Platform Tax Collection and Listing Disclosure

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014 (limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited)

66.1014 Limits on residential dwelling rental prohibited. 66.1014(1) (1) In this section: 66.1014(1)(a) (a) “Political subdivision” means any city, village, town, or county. 66.1014(1)(b) (b) “Residential dwelling” means any building, structure, or part of the building or structure, that is used or intended to be used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for Dane County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Madison city rules.

Short-Term Rentals in Dane County →