Madison, WI Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

29 of the Madison General Ordinances makes it unlawful for any person to operate a tourist rooming house (TRH), Madison's term for a short-term rental, without a permit issued by the City Zoning Administrator. Before issuing a permit, or approving a renewal, the Zoning Administrator must inspect the premises to confirm it complies with the Zoning Code, Chapter 28, MGO, including the use-specific standards at Sec. 151 that govern TRH operation. Outside of that pre-permit inspection, a TRH remains subject to inspection by City staff on at least 48 hours' written notice, and City staff may inspect without notice if there is probable cause to believe a violation is occurring.

A permit is granted only once the Zoning Administrator verifies a complete application and full Chapter 28 compliance, and no permit may be issued or maintained unless the TRH stays in full compliance with those zoning regulations. Permits are not transferable to a new operator or property. The ordinance took effect April 15, 2020, and required every operating TRH host in the city to hold a valid permit by October 1, 2020. The Director of Building Inspection or a designee enforces the ordinance. Anyone who operates a TRH without a permit, or otherwise violates Sec.

29, faces a fine of between $500 and $1,000 upon conviction, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense; that fine is doubled if the operator's permit had already been revoked. The Director of Building Inspection or the Common Council may also suspend, deny, or revoke a TRH permit for failure to comply with the ordinance, a decision reviewable under Sec. 49, MGO, and any revocation triggers a six-month freeze on issuing a new permit for that same property.