Waukesha County, WI Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)
Key Facts
- County night cap
- None countywide
- Minimum allowed cap
- No fewer than 180 days
- Applies to
- 6-30 consecutive-day rentals
- 7+ day rentals
- Cannot be banned
- License trigger
- >10 nights/year
Summary
Waukesha County sets no countywide night cap. Under Wis. Stat. 66.1014, a municipality may limit rentals of 6 to 30 consecutive days to no fewer than 180 days per year, and cannot ban rentals of 7 consecutive days or longer.
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.
Full Breakdown
Wisconsin caps how far local night limits can go. Under Wis. Stat. 66.1014, for a residential dwelling rented in periods of more than 6 but fewer than 30 consecutive days, a municipality may limit total rental days within any 365-day period to no fewer than 180 days. It may not prohibit renting a residential dwelling for 7 consecutive days or longer. Waukesha County imposes no separate countywide night cap; any cap comes from your city, village or town within these statutory floors. The state licensing threshold is separate: a DATCP tourist rooming house license is required once you rent more than 10 nights a year.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding a lawfully adopted local day cap can bring municipal citations and fines; the cap itself cannot fall below the 180-day statutory floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Waukesha County cap my rental nights?
Is 10 nights a rental cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
Compare Waukesha County to another location·View the Wisconsin short-term rentals overview
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