Wisconsin Preempts Local Just-Cause Eviction Rules

Wis. Stat. 66.0104 strips Wisconsin municipalities of authority to regulate most aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship. Cities and counties cannot require landlords to have specific grounds before terminating tenancies, cannot extend notice periods beyond state law, and cannot impose communication or relocation obligations beyond what state and federal law require. Eviction grounds, notices, and procedures are set by Wis. Stat. ch. 704 (residential tenancies) and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection rule ATCP 134. Landlords may pursue non-renewal at the end of a term, nonpayment, or lease-violation evictions under uniform state rules without local just-cause overlays.

Local just-cause eviction ordinances are preempted and unenforceable. Affected landlords may sue to invalidate them; tenants cannot rely on a local ordinance to defeat an otherwise lawful state-law eviction.