Rent control rules in Madison, WI — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
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.
Wisconsin Statute 66.1015 expressly prohibits any city, village, town, or county from enacting ordinances that control the amount of rent charged for leasing private residential or commercial property. This statewide preemption, enacted in 1995, bars rent control, rent stabilization, vacancy control, and similar measures. Madison, despite its progressive politics and active housing advocacy community, cannot impose rent caps, annual increase limits, or tie rent to inflation. The city can regulate habitability (MGO 27), rental registration/licensing (MGO 27.05), discrimination (MGO 39.03 covers source of income, student status, and other classes beyond state/federal), and security deposits (cannot contradict ATCP 134). Just-cause eviction requirements were preempted by 2017 Wisconsin Act 317, which prohibited local ordinances requiring reasons for non-renewal; standard 28-day notice applies. Tenant protections come from ATCP 134 (Wisconsin Consumer Protection) and WI Stat 704 (Landlord-Tenant Relations). Madison's Tenant Resource Center provides counseling.
State preemption means any local rent control ordinance is void. Disputes under ATCP 134 enforced by DATCP and civil courts.
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See how Madison's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
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