Waukesha County, WI Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- County room tax
- Not allowed
- Who may levy room tax
- City, village or town only
- Room tax cap
- 8 percent of sales price
- State + county sales tax
- Applies to lodging
- Statute
- Wis. Stat. 66.0615
Summary
Waukesha County cannot levy a room tax. Under Wis. Stat. 66.0615 only municipalities (cities, villages, towns) may impose a room tax, capped at 8 percent. STRs also pay state and county sales tax and the DATCP license fee.
The governing body of a municipality may enact an ordinance ... imposing a tax on the sales price from selling or furnishing, at retail ... rooms or lodging to transients ... A tax imposed under this paragraph by a municipality may not exceed 8 percent of the sales price.
Full Breakdown
Wisconsin's room tax statute, Wis. Stat. 66.0615, authorizes only a "municipality," defined as a city, village or town, to impose a room tax, not a county. So Waukesha County levies no county room tax; a room tax on your rental, if any, comes from the city, village or town where the property sits, up to the 8 percent cap. Short-term rentals also collect Wisconsin state sales tax plus Waukesha County's 0.5 percent county sales tax on lodging. Operators pay the DATCP tourist rooming house license fee (roughly $110/year plus a one-time inspection fee).
Violations & Fines
Unremitted room or sales taxes can trigger back taxes, interest and penalties from the municipality and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Waukesha County charge a room tax?
What is the maximum room tax?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
How Waukesha County compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Waukesha County to another location·View the Wisconsin short-term rentals overview
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