Middleton, WI Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Middleton has not adopted a separate STR-specific noise standard with fixed decibel limits or quiet hours. Instead, short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar transient lodging) are regulated through three layers. First, every operator must hold a Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license under Wis. Stat. Sec. 97.605 and Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 72, administered locally by Public Health Madison & Dane County (608-242-6515 / str@publichealthmdc.com). Public Health Madison & Dane County defines a tourist rooming house as the rental of all or part of a residence to visitors for less than 60 days, with one to four sleeping accommodations, and inspects each property annually during the July 1 - June 30 license year. Second, hosts must apply for any required Middleton municipal license through the City Clerk's office and comply with the City's 2024 Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 10), which is administered by the Planning Department at planning@cityofmiddleton.us. Third, guest behavior is enforced through Chapter 16 (Public Peace and Good Order) of the Middleton Code of Ordinances and the City's general nuisance authority, with response by the Middleton Police Department (608-824-7300). Wisconsin's right-to-rent statute (Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014) prevents Middleton from prohibiting STRs of 7 consecutive days or longer but expressly preserves the City's authority to enforce health, safety, and nuisance ordinances. Middleton's Chapter 1 curfew rules also apply to guests under 18: minors under 15 must be off public streets between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sun-Thu (11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. Fri-Sat), and 15- to 17-year-olds between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Sun-Thu (midnight - 5:00 a.m. Fri-Sat). Hosts should provide a 24-hour local contact, written house rules covering quiet behavior, and clear instructions about the City's curfew and nuisance rules.