Wisconsin Ordinances (2026)

Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code (Wis. Stat. ch. 101 and SPS 320-325) sets statewide construction standards for one- and two-family dwellings, including tiny homes built as permanent dwellings. Local governments cannot impose stricter building code standards than the UDC.

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 951 prohibits animal cruelty and neglect statewide, applying uniformly to hoarding situations. Local ordinances may supplement but cannot weaken state standards for animal treatment and confinement.

Wisconsin requires beekeepers to register colonies with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). State apiary inspection law applies uniformly statewide, though municipalities may regulate hive placement.

Wisconsin's right-to-farm law (Wis. Stat. 823.08) and Livestock Facility Siting Law (Wis. Stat. 93.90) limit municipal authority to restrict agricultural operations and standardize permitting for livestock facilities statewide.

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 169 governs captive wildlife statewide, requiring licenses for possession of native wildlife and prohibiting harmful exotic species. The Department of Natural Resources enforces uniformly across all municipalities.

Wisconsin prohibits feeding and baiting deer and elk in counties with chronic wasting disease (CWD) under Wis. Stat. 29.614. The Department of Natural Resources enforces these restrictions uniformly across affected counties.

Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 115 sets uniform impervious surface coverage limits for shoreland properties statewide. Counties must adopt these standards, typically capping coverage at 15 percent, with mitigation allowing up to 30 percent in certain circumstances.

Wisconsin Statute § 59.692 and Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 115 establish uniform statewide shoreland zoning standards including setback requirements from navigable waters. Counties must adopt these minimum standards, and municipalities cannot impose more restrictive shoreland setbacks.

Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) under Wis. Stat. § 101.65 sets statewide construction standards for one and two-family dwellings. While zoning height limits remain local, structural standards including height-related requirements are uniform and preempt conflicting municipal building codes.

Wisconsin has no legal recreational or medical marijuana dispensary program. State law prohibits cannabis sales, so no municipality can authorize dispensary operations through zoning ordinances.

Wisconsin prohibits all marijuana cultivation, including for personal use. Growing any cannabis plant is a felony under state controlled substances law. No municipality may authorize home cultivation.

Wisconsin commercial drone operators follow FAA Part 107 and state preemption under Wis. Stat. 114.045. Local governments cannot impose competing flight rules, though state privacy and surveillance statutes apply.

Wisconsin Statute 114.045 preempts most local drone regulation, reserving authority to the state and FAA. Recreational pilots must follow federal Part 107 hobbyist rules and Wisconsin's drone-privacy criminal statute.

Wisconsin Statute 104.001 expressly preempts cities, villages, towns, and counties from establishing a minimum wage higher than the state minimum, ensuring uniform wage rules across Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Statute 103.10 and 104.001 preempt local paid sick leave ordinances, blocking cities and counties from requiring private employers to provide paid time off beyond state and federal mandates.

Wisconsin preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances under Wis. Stat. 103.007, ensuring statewide uniformity for employer scheduling practices and forbidding municipal advance-notice mandates.

Wisconsin's NR 115 sets minimum shoreland zoning standards along navigable waters, and the Public Trust Doctrine protects Great Lakes shores. Counties must adopt rules at least as strict as NR 115 statewide.

Wisconsin requires erosion control practices on construction sites under NR 151 and SPS 321. State standards apply uniformly, and one- and two-family dwelling sites follow Department of Safety and Professional Services rules.

Wisconsin requires every county, city, and village with mapped floodplains to adopt floodplain zoning meeting NR 116 minimums. Local ordinances must be approved by the DNR and cannot weaken state baselines.

Wisconsin's NR 151 sets statewide performance standards for construction site and post-construction stormwater runoff. DNR administers WPDES permits, and local programs must meet or exceed state minimums.

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 90 establishes statewide rules for partition (shared) fences between adjoining rural landowners. Cost-sharing, maintenance duties, and dispute resolution involving town fence viewers are governed by state law and apply universally.

Wisconsin enforces uniform pool barrier requirements through the Department of Safety and Professional Services. SPS 390 governs public pools and the Uniform Dwelling Code addresses residential pool fencing, preempting inconsistent local building standards for one and two-family dwellings.

Wisconsin restricts most consumer fireworks under Wis. Stat. § 167.10, requiring a user permit issued by the local mayor, village president, or town board for possession, sale, and use of regulated fireworks.

Wisconsin requires a DNR burning permit for most outdoor debris burning in DNR Protection Areas under Wis. Stat. § 26.12 and Wis. Admin. Code NR 30, with statewide bans during high fire danger.

Wisconsin uniformly regulates propane storage, installation, and handling under Wis. Admin. Code SPS 340, adopting NFPA 58 statewide and preempting inconsistent local rules through state building and fuel gas codes.

Wisconsin DNR designates statewide Fire Protection Areas under Wis. Stat. § 26.11 where the agency holds primary wildfire suppression authority and enforces stricter ignition rules during elevated fire danger.

Wisconsin issues shall-issue concealed weapon licenses to qualified residents age 21+ who complete training, pass a background check, and pay required fees, with statewide preemption preventing local rules.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0409 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, barring cities, villages, towns, and counties from enacting ordinances stricter than state law on possession, transportation, sale, or registration of firearms and ammunition.

Wisconsin permits adults at least 18 who are not prohibited persons to openly carry firearms in public without a permit, with statewide preemption blocking local restrictions on lawful open carry.

Wisconsin Statute 941.23 makes carrying a concealed handgun in a vehicle without a CCW license a misdemeanor, while open carry and licensed concealed carry inside vehicles are lawful statewide subject to limited prohibited zones.

Wisconsin requires all food trucks to be licensed as Mobile Retail Food Establishments under Wis. Stat. ch. 97 and ATCP 75. State licensing is uniform statewide, though local zoning and parking rules also apply.

Wisconsin allows home producers to sell certain non-hazardous foods directly to consumers without a license under the Pickle Bill and baked-goods rulings. State law sets uniform sales caps, labeling, and product limits.

Wisconsin requires state licensing or certification for any home caring for four or more unrelated children. The Department of Children and Families administers uniform standards that preempt conflicting local rules.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0407 universally requires every property owner to destroy noxious weeds, including Canada thistle, leafy spurge, and field bindweed, on their land. Municipalities may add additional weeds by ordinance, but the destruction duty applies statewide.

Aircraft noise in Wisconsin is overwhelmingly governed by federal aviation law. The FAA preempts state and local noise regulation of aircraft in flight, while Wisconsin Statute Chapter 114 governs aeronautics and limits municipal authority over airspace and airport operations.

Wisconsin law defines abandoned vehicles and authorizes removal after 48 hours on highways or public property. State statute provides uniform procedures for impoundment, notice to owners, and disposal applicable in every municipality.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0104 and Act 317 prevent municipalities from limiting landlord-tenant relationships beyond state law, including any local just-cause eviction requirement. Eviction grounds and procedures are governed exclusively by Wis. Stat. ch. 704 and ATCP 134.

Wisconsin Statute 66.1015 expressly prohibits any city, village, town, or county from regulating the amount of rent or fees charged for residential rental units. The preemption is total, with narrow exceptions for government-owned housing and voluntary agreements.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0104 limits how cities can require rental property registration and inspection. Programs must target districts with documented blight or code issues, and inspection fees are capped between roughly $75 and $150 depending on inspection type.

Wisconsin's Working Lands Initiative under Statute 91 establishes farmland preservation zoning districts, certifies county and local plans, and offers income tax credits to farmers in certified agricultural enterprise areas.

Wisconsin Statute 823.08 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits by neighbors, requiring courts to dismiss claims unless the farm substantially threatens public health or safety.

Wisconsin requires tourist rooming house licensure for any dwelling rented to transients for fewer than 30 days, and state law limits how municipalities may restrict short-term rentals of seven days or longer.

Wisconsin requires short-term rental hosts to collect state sales tax and any local room tax. Wis. Stat. § 66.0615 governs municipal room taxes and caps maximum rates absent grandfathered authority.

Wisconsin law protects political signs on private property during election seasons. While municipalities may regulate placement and size, content-based restrictions and outright bans on residential political signs are limited by First Amendment and state campaign protections.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0419, enacted by 2015 Act 17, preempts cities, villages, towns, and counties from regulating, banning, or imposing fees on auxiliary containers including plastic bags, cups, and bottles.

Wisconsin's auxiliary container preemption law in Statute 66.0419 prevents municipalities from banning or restricting expanded polystyrene foam takeout containers, leaving any restriction to state legislation.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0419 preempts cities and counties from regulating plastic straws, stirrers, and similar single-use items, and the state has not adopted a statewide straw-on-request rule.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0401 applies to homeowners associations and condo associations, preempting deed restrictions and covenants that prohibit or significantly impair solar energy systems on owner property.

Wisconsin Statute 66.0401 broadly preempts municipalities and counties from restricting solar and wind energy systems unless restrictions serve specific public health, safety, or aesthetic exceptions defined by state law.

Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 326) and commercial pool rules under DHS 172 require barriers around residential and public swimming pools. Standards apply uniformly statewide for one- and two-family dwellings.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services enforces uniform statewide safety standards for public pools under DHS 172, including drain covers, water quality, lifeguard requirements, and operator training.

Wisconsin Statute 134.66 prohibits selling, giving, or furnishing cigarettes, tobacco, or vapor products to any person under 21 years of age and requires retailers to verify age via valid ID before sale.

Wisconsin has not enacted a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products; sales of menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes remain lawful under Wis. Stat. 134.66 subject to age and licensing rules.

Wisconsin regulates electronic vaping devices under its tobacco statutes, requiring retailer licenses, age-verification, and excise taxes on vapor products, with state law preempting most local retail rules under 134.66.

Wisconsin universally bans designated recyclable materials from landfills and incinerators under Wis. Stat. § 287.07 and requires every responsible unit to operate an effective recycling program meeting statewide standards.