4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Wisconsin Statute 66.1014 preempts any local ban on residential rentals of 7 consecutive days or longer. Anyone operating a short-term rental more than 10 nights per year must hold a Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) under Wis. Admin. Code ch. ATCP 72. Waukesha County does not issue countywide STR permits; municipalities such as the City of Waukesha, City of Pewaukee, and Village of Mukwonago may add their own license and zoning requirements.
Wis. Stat. § 66.1014
66.1014 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...
Waukesha County charges a $204 annual Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license fee plus $102 pre-licensing inspection fee through Environmental Health. State 5% sales tax applies under Wis. Stat. §77.52, plus any local room tax under Wis. Stat. §66.0615 levied by the host municipality (rates vary 0–8%).
Waukesha County does not set STR-specific parking standards. Off-street parking for Tourist Rooming Houses in unincorporated towns follows the county zoning code's residential parking requirements and any town-level rules permitted by Wis. Stat. §66.1014.
A Waukesha County Tourist Rooming House license covers 1–4 sleeping units per Wisconsin ATCP 72. Wis. Stat. §66.1014 protects rentals of 7+ days from outright prohibition, but the host town may set reasonable occupancy and minimum-stay limits.
3 cities in Waukesha County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Waukesha County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Waukesha County Ordinance Hub →