Short-term rentals in the City of Waukesha must comply with Chapter 26 of the Waukesha Municipal Code, which declares any noise tending to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of persons in the vicinity to be a public nuisance affecting peace and safety. Wisconsin Statute 66.1014 prevents the City from banning rentals of seven consecutive days or longer but expressly preserves municipal authority to enforce noise, nuisance and health-and-safety ordinances against STR operators and their guests.
City of Waukesha rental hosts who let to transient guests for less than 60 days are also regulated as a Rooming House under Waukesha City Ordinance 17.10 (Licensing of Rooming Houses), administered by the City Clerk's Office. The Rooming House License must be approved by the Common Council, costs a base annual fee of $50 plus $15 per room plus a $120 inspection fee, runs from January 1 through December 31, and applications must be received by November 1 of the preceding year. The license must be conspicuously posted in the office or public hallway of the rooming house. Tourist rooming houses must additionally hold a state license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) under Wis. Stat. 97.605 and Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72. For noise specifically, Chapter 26 of the Waukesha Municipal Code (the public nuisances chapter, formerly Chapter 12 in older numbering) declares 'noise of any kind tending to unreasonably disturb the peace and quiet of persons in the vicinity thereof' to be a public nuisance affecting peace and safety, and also includes a separate provision making it a nuisance to keep any animal that habitually howls, barks or crows so as to annoy a neighborhood. The City of Waukesha Police Department responds to noise complaints under this chapter and under Wisconsin Statute 947.01 (disorderly conduct). Wisconsin Statute 66.1014, the state 'right to rent' law, prohibits the City from outright banning short-term rentals of seven days or longer but expressly preserves Waukesha's authority to apply general nuisance, noise and zoning rules to STR operators on the same terms as any other residential occupant.
Violations of Chapter 26 are enforced as a public nuisance and are subject to the general penalty in the Waukesha Municipal Code, abatement, and injunctive relief. Repeated noise complaints tied to a licensed Rooming House can be reviewed by the Waukesha Common Council at annual license renewal under Ordinance 17.10, and the Council may decline to renew the license. Tourist rooming house complaints may also be referred to DATCP for state license review.
Waukesha, WI
Waukesha regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. WI Stat. §947.01 applies.
Waukesha, WI
Waukesha considers excessive barking a nuisance. Animal control handles complaints. WI Stat. §174 covers dog regulation statewide.
Waukesha, WI
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Waukesha, WI
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Waukesha, WI
Waukesha restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Weight, size, and signage limits apply. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited.
Waukesha, WI
Waukesha requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
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