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.
Wisconsin Act 59 (codified at WI Stat. 66.1014) preempts outright STR bans but allows cities to impose a 30-night annual cap on rentals of fewer than 7 consecutive nights when the dwelling is not the owner's primary residence. Madison General Ordinances Chapter 32 adopts this 30-night cap for non-primary-residence STRs. If the property is the owner's primary residence (where they live at least 51% of the year), there is no night cap but state law requires a minimum 7-night stay rule for periods the owner is absent longer than 30 consecutive days. Operators must maintain a guest log and provide it on request. Exceeding caps is grounds for license revocation.
Exceeding 30 nights without primary residency can trigger MGO forfeitures and license revocation.
See how Madison's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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