Short-term rental permit rules in Waukesha County, WI — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Wisconsin Statute 66.1014 preempts any local ban on residential rentals of 7 consecutive days or longer. Anyone operating a short-term rental more than 10 nights per year must hold a Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) under Wis. Admin. Code ch. ATCP 72. Waukesha County does not issue countywide STR permits; municipalities such as the City of Waukesha, City of Pewaukee, and Village of Mukwonago may add their own license and zoning requirements.
Wis. Stat. §66.1014(1)(c) defines a short-term rental as a residential dwelling offered for rent for a fee for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Wis. Stat. §66.1014(2)(a) prohibits any city, village, town, or county from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that prohibits the rental of a residential dwelling for 7 consecutive days or more. Under §66.1014(2)(d), for stays of more than 6 but fewer than 30 consecutive days, a municipality may cap rental days at no fewer than 180 days within a 365-day period. Anyone who maintains, manages, or operates a short-term rental more than 10 nights per year must obtain a Tourist Rooming House license from DATCP under Wis. Stat. §97.01(15k) and Wis. Admin. Code ch. ATCP 72 (updated rules effective January 25, 2026). A TRH license covers up to four individually keyed units; five or more units require a Hotel license. DATCP licensing fees and inspection schedules are published by the Division of Food and Recreational Safety. Wis. Stat. §66.1014(3) lets local subdivisions require their own license. Waukesha County itself does not run an STR program - shoreland zoning under Wis. Stat. §59.692 may add use limits along the Fox River and lakes, but day-to-day STR permitting is municipal. Operators must collect Wisconsin sales tax (5%), Waukesha County 0.5% sales tax, and any local room tax adopted under Wis. Stat. §66.0615.
Operating a TRH without the DATCP license violates Wis. Stat. §97.62 with daily forfeitures up to $500 and an order to cease operations. Operating without a required municipal license can trigger local forfeitures and zoning enforcement. Failure to remit room or sales tax is enforced separately by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
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