Does Milwaukee County, WI have its own taxes & fees ordinance?

No. Milwaukee County, WI does not appear to have a local taxes & fees 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: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

County Room Tax: None (county cannot levy)
Basic Room Tax: 3% Wisconsin Center Tax District
City of Milwaukee Add-On: 7% additional (10% total)
State Sales Tax: 5% on taxable lodging
County Sales Tax: 0.9% Milwaukee County

Summary

Milwaukee County does not impose a room tax. Short-term stays in the county carry a 3% basic room tax through the Wisconsin Center Tax District (7% additional in the City of Milwaukee), plus the 5% state and 0.9% county sales tax on lodging.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Milwaukee County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

"Municipality" means any city, village or town.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under Wis. Stat. 66.0615, only a municipality, defined as a city, village, or town, may impose a room tax; counties are not authorized to levy one, so Milwaukee County charges no county room tax. Lodging in the county is instead subject to a local exposition room tax for the Wisconsin Center Tax District, created by the City of Milwaukee to cover municipalities within Milwaukee County. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue administers it: a 3% basic room tax applies districtwide, plus 7% only within the City of Milwaukee. These taxes are authorized under Wis. Stat. 66.0615 and 229.42 to 229.44. Short-term lodging also carries the 5% state sales tax and the 0.9% county sales tax.

Violations & Fines

Failure to register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and remit the exposition room tax, or to collect state and county sales tax on taxable lodging, exposes the operator to unpaid-tax assessment, interest, and penalties under state law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Milwaukee County charge a room tax on Airbnb stays?

No. Under Wis. Stat. 66.0615 only a city, village, or town may levy a room tax, so the county charges none. A 3% basic exposition room tax applies through the Wisconsin Center Tax District instead.

What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Milwaukee County?

A 3% basic exposition room tax (10% within the City of Milwaukee), plus the 5% state and 0.9% county sales tax on lodging. Confirm current rates with the Department of Revenue.

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 Occupancy LimitsSome 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

How Milwaukee County compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Milwaukee County to another location·View the Wisconsin short-term rentals overview

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Taxes & Fees in Cities Across Milwaukee County

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