Does Milwaukee County, WI have its own occupancy limits ordinance?

No. Milwaukee County, WI does not appear to have a local occupancy limits ordinance, Wisconsin state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from the Wisconsin statute.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Milwaukee County

Milwaukee County, WI Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

County Occupancy Cap: None set by the county
Source of Limits: Municipal code and state TRH rules
State Floor: Cannot ban 7+ day rentals
Short-Stay Cap Floor: No fewer than 180 days/365
Authority: Wis. Stat. 66.1014(2)

Summary

Milwaukee County imposes no occupancy cap on short-term rentals. Guest limits, where they exist, come from the host municipality's ordinance and from state tourist rooming house safety rules; state law caps how far a municipality may restrict rentals.

City-specific rules exist: Milwaukee has its own occupancy limits rules that differ from Milwaukee County's county-level regulations. If you live in Milwaukee, check the city-specific page instead.

Subject to par. (d), a political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance that prohibits the rental of a residential dwelling for 7 consecutive days or longer.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Milwaukee County government does not set a maximum number of overnight guests for short-term rentals, because it does not regulate STRs. Occupancy limits come from two sources. First, the municipality where the property sits may adopt reasonable occupancy standards through its building, zoning, or licensing code, as the City of Milwaukee does. Second, the state's tourist rooming house program under DATCP and Wis. Admin. Code ch. ATCP 72 imposes safety standards on licensed rentals. State law limits municipal strictness: under Wis. Stat. 66.1014 a subdivision may not prohibit a rental of 7 consecutive days or longer, and may cap rentals of 6 to 30 days only at no fewer than 180 days yearly. Confirm the standard with your municipality.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding a municipal occupancy limit or a state tourist rooming house safety standard can bring local code-enforcement citations, orders to reduce occupancy, and possible suspension or revocation of the DATCP or municipal license. The county does not cite STR occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can a Milwaukee County short-term rental hold?

Milwaukee County sets no guest cap. Any occupancy limit comes from the host municipality's building or licensing code and from state tourist rooming house safety standards. Confirm the maximum with the city, village, or town where the rental is located.

Can a local government ban short-term rentals outright?

No. Under Wis. Stat. 66.1014(2)(a), a political subdivision may not prohibit renting a residential dwelling for 7 consecutive days or longer. For 6-to-30-day rentals it may cap total rental days at no fewer than 180 per year.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Milwaukee County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Short-Term Rental PermitsSome Restrictions Primary-Residence-Only RuleFew Restrictions Taxes & FeesSome Restrictions Host Presence RuleFew Restrictions Night CapsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesHeavy Restrictions Fence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Milwaukee County rules

Compare Milwaukee County to another location·View the Wisconsin short-term rentals overview

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Occupancy Limits in Cities Across Milwaukee County

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