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.
Waukesha County sets no countywide STR permit. Statewide, anyone renting fewer than 30 days for more than 10 nights a year needs a DATCP tourist rooming house license; your city, village or town may add a local permit.
Wisconsin regulates short-term rentals primarily at the state level. Under Wis. Stat. 66.1014 and DATCP rules, a residential dwelling rented for periods under 30 consecutive days for more than 10 nights per year is a "tourist rooming house" needing a state license from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Waukesha County itself imposes no separate countywide STR permit; permitting inside Waukesha, Brookfield, New Berlin, Oconomowoc and the villages is set by each municipality. Unincorporated towns under county zoning may address rentals through zoning, but the operating license is the state DATCP license.
Operating an unlicensed tourist rooming house can bring DATCP enforcement, fines and orders to cease operation until licensed. Local penalties vary by municipality.
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