Short-Term Rentals in Milwaukee County, WI (2026)

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014(2)(d)2. and 2.a.

Any person who maintains, manages, or operates a short-term rental, as defined in s. 66.0615 (1) (dk), for more than 10 nights each year, shall do all of the following: a. Obtain from the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection a license as a tourist rooming house, as defined in s. 97.01 (15k).

Wis. Stat. § 66.0615(1)(d)

"Municipality" means any city, village or town.

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014(2)(a)

Subject to par. (d), a political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance that prohibits the rental of a residential dwelling for 7 consecutive days or longer.

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014(2)(d)1.

If a residential dwelling is rented for periods of more than 6 but fewer than 30 consecutive days, a political subdivision may limit the total number of days within any consecutive 365-day period that the dwelling may be rented to no fewer than 180 days.

Wisconsin DATCP, Tourist Rooming Houses program page (defining TRH; see Wis. Stat. § 97.01(15k))

A tourist rooming house or "TRH" is defined as any lodging place where sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to tourist or transients including: a lodging place with four or fewer individually keyed units, a one- or two-family dwelling or condominium unit, a tourist cabin or cottage or a specialty lodging facility.

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014(2)(a)

Subject to par. (d), a political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance that prohibits the rental of a residential dwelling for 7 consecutive days or longer.

Wis. Stat. § 66.1014(2)(d)1.

If a residential dwelling is rented for periods of more than 6 but fewer than 30 consecutive days, a political subdivision may limit the total number of days within any consecutive 365-day period that the dwelling may be rented to no fewer than 180 days.