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Abandoned vehicles in West Allis are regulated under state law (Wis. Stat. §342.40) and city nuisance ordinances. Inoperable or dismantled vehicles visible from public areas are subject to removal action.
West Allis requires vehicles parked on improved surfaces. Front lawn parking prohibited. Driveway modifications require permits.
Large commercial vehicles are restricted in West Allis residential zones under city zoning code. Contact West Allis Code Enforcement for specific requirements.
RV and recreational vehicle parking in West Allis residential areas is governed by city zoning code. Generally one RV per lot is permitted with setback requirements. Front yard storage restrictions apply.
On-street parking in Milwaukee County is governed by each city and village and by Wisconsin Statutes, not the county. Milwaukee County's parking authority applies to roads and lots inside county parks and on county-owned grounds.
Overnight on-street parking rules are set by each Milwaukee County municipality, several of which run night-parking permit systems. In county parks, overnight parking is prohibited outside posted hours and vehicles may be ticketed or towed.
Restrictions on parking oversized vehicles on public streets are set by each Milwaukee County municipality under Wis. Stat. 349.13, not by the county. In county parks, oversized vehicles must observe posted lot restrictions and hours.
Milwaukee County has no county-wide ordinance dedicated to EV charging-space parking. Charging-station rules follow the operator's posted terms, and misuse enforcement rests with municipalities on public streets.
Public-street loading zones in Milwaukee County are designated and enforced by each city or village under Wisconsin law, not the county. Milwaukee County controls loading and standing only on county park drives and county-owned facility grounds.
Curb markings and their meaning on public streets are controlled by each Milwaukee County municipality, not the county. Painting a public curb yourself is not authorized; only official markings are enforceable.
Wisconsin does not preempt local breed-specific legislation. Some WI cities have breed bans. WI Stat. §174.042 covers dangerous dogs based on behavior.
West Allis requires dogs on leash at all times in public. Maximum 6-foot leash. Dogs must be licensed per WI Stat. section 174. No off-leash areas within city limits.
West Allis prohibits keeping bees or chickens without a permit, and also prohibits fowl, cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats, ducks, turkeys, geese, and other domesticated livestock without a permit. State law (Wis. Stat. §169) governs wild animals.
West Allis allows beekeeping with a permit under its animal fancier permit system. No beekeeping allowed without a permit. State apiarist program (Wis. Stat. §93.45) also applies.
Milwaukee County does not regulate livestock; municipal zoning controls. The City of Milwaukee prohibits harboring, raising or possessing fowl, cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, turkeys, geese or pigeons except at places approved by the Health Officer.
Animal hoarding in Milwaukee County is addressed through Wisconsin's cruelty statutes. Wis. Stat. 951.02 bars treating any animal in a cruel manner, and 951.13 requires sufficient food and water for confined animals. MADACC and humane officers seize neglected animals; the City of Milwaukee four-animal limit also curbs accumulation.
Milwaukee County does not regulate backyard chickens; each municipality's zoning controls. The City of Milwaukee allows up to four hens on residential property with a permit and one-time fee, bars roosters and on-site slaughter, and requires the coop at least 25 feet from neighboring homes.
All 19 municipalities in Milwaukee County require dogs and cats to be licensed annually, and Wisconsin law requires cats over five months old to be current on rabies vaccination. MADACC issues pet licenses and rabies tags countywide; proof of rabies immunization is required to license a cat.
Milwaukee County sets no countywide pet limit. In the City of Milwaukee, Code 78-5 caps a household at four dogs, cats or rabbits over five months old; a fifth is allowed in a single- or two-family unit only with an animal fancier permit, never in a multiple-dwelling unit.
Feeding wild animals is regulated municipally in Milwaukee County and by the Wisconsin DNR for deer. The City of Milwaukee restricts bird feeders to rodent-proof designs and caps them at four per premises, and declares feral pigeons, starlings and English sparrows public nuisances that may be removed.
West Allis requires building permits for pools, spas, and hot tubs. WI Uniform Dwelling Code governs. Inspections required.
West Allis requires pool barriers to prevent unsupervised child access. Minimum 48-inch height. Self-closing, self-latching gates. WI Stat. §145.17.
West Allis enforces pool safety requirements including anti-entrapment drain covers (VGB Act), barriers, and depth markers. WI Stat. §145.17 governs.
Milwaukee County sets no hot tub or spa rules. Residential spas follow municipal ordinances and Wisconsin's electrical and dwelling code, while public whirlpools and spas fall under state ch. SPS 390.
Milwaukee County does not regulate above-ground pools. Rules on setbacks, ladders, barriers, and permits come from your city or village ordinance and Wisconsin's Uniform Dwelling Code, enforced by the municipal building inspector.
West Allis regulates accessory buildings under Chapter 19 (Zoning) of the Revised Municipal Code, adopted under the city zoning authority of Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23. Sec. 19.42 (Residential Accessory Buildings) caps detached accessory structures at 50% of the principal building area, not to exceed 800 square feet, with a maximum exterior wall height of 20 feet. Setback minimums include 10 feet from the principal building, 3 feet from side lot lines, and 3-5 feet from rear lot lines depending on alley adjacency. The West Allis Zoning Code does not establish a separate by-right accessory dwelling unit (ADU) class in the manner of cities like Appleton; a habitable second dwelling unit on a single-family lot generally requires zoning interpretation by the Planning and Zoning Department.
Sheds in West Allis are 'Other Accessory Buildings' under Section 19.42 of the West Allis Zoning Code. They are limited to 300 square feet, 15 feet in height, must sit at least 3 feet from any side or rear lot line (5 feet if the rear abuts an alley), at least 10 feet from the principal dwelling, and at least 60 feet from the front lot line.
Milwaukee County does not regulate garage conversions. Converting a garage into living space is a zoning and building-code matter handled by your city or village, and adding a dwelling unit brings the space under the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code.
Milwaukee County has no carport ordinance. As a detached accessory structure, a carport is exempt from the state Uniform Dwelling Code, so its permit, size, height, and setbacks are set entirely by your city or village zoning code.
Milwaukee County has no tiny-home ordinance. A tiny house on a foundation is a dwelling under the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code and is zoned by your city or village; a tiny house on wheels is treated as an RV and cannot be a permanent residence without local approval.
Short-term rental guests in West Allis must follow citywide on-street parking rules. West Allis prohibits on-street parking from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. without a permit. Tourist rooming houses must be licensed annually through the West Allis Health Department and must satisfy the off-street parking required for the underlying residential use under the West Allis Zoning Code.
Short-term rentals in West Allis must follow Section 7.035 of the West Allis Revised Municipal Code. The ordinance defines 'night' as 10:00 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. and 'day' as 7:00 a.m. to 9:59 p.m. Sound reproduction devices may not be plainly audible across a property line at night, and must not be plainly audible 150 feet beyond the property line during the day.
West Allis STR operators must collect Wisconsin 5% state sales tax, Milwaukee County 0.9% tax (eff. Jan 1, 2024), and applicable room taxes under Wis. Stat. §66.0615.
West Allis requires a Tourist Rooming House permit administered through the West Allis Health Department. Annual inspection required. State DATCP TRH license ($110/year + $300 one-time inspection) also required.
Milwaukee County does not require short-term rentals to be a host's primary residence. State law bars local governments from banning rentals of 7 or more days, and any residency-based limit would have to come from an individual municipality within the statute's bounds.
There is no Milwaukee County short-term rental registry. Hosts register with the state through the DATCP tourist rooming house license and, if the local ordinance requires it, with their city, village, or town. Registration duties follow Wis. Stat. 66.1014.
Milwaukee County imposes no occupancy cap on short-term rentals. Guest limits, where they exist, come from the host municipality's ordinance and from state tourist rooming house safety rules; state law caps how far a municipality may restrict rentals.
Milwaukee County does not require liability insurance for short-term rentals. State DATCP tourist rooming house licensing does not mandate coverage either; any insurance condition would come from an individual municipality or a hosting platform, not the county.
Milwaukee County does not require a host to be present during a stay. State law protects whole-home rentals of 7 or more days, so unhosted short-term rentals are allowed; any presence-related rule would come from an individual municipality within statutory limits.
Milwaukee County imposes no annual limit on rental nights. State law lets a municipality cap only rentals of 6 to 30 days, and only at no fewer than 180 days a year; rentals of 7 or more consecutive days cannot be banned.
West Allis caps residential fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards, prohibits fences in the required front yard, and limits fences inside the corner-lot vision triangle to 3 feet. Fence permits are not required citywide, but the standards in Revised Municipal Code §13.31 (Fences and Site Obstructions) and the underlying zoning ordinance must still be met.
West Allis requires the finished side of fences face neighbors. Shared boundary fences follow WI line fence statute. Disputes handled through city mediation or town supervisor process.
Milwaukee County has no retaining-wall ordinance for private land. Wall permits, height thresholds and engineering requirements are set by each incorporated city or village, so check your municipality's building code.
Milwaukee County restricts no fence materials on private land. Bans on barbed wire, electric or razor-wire residential fences are set by each incorporated city or village zoning code.
Milwaukee County imposes no fence construction requirements on private land. Standards for placement, corner visibility and finished side follow each municipality's zoning code, such as the City of Milwaukee code.
Milwaukee County issues no fence permits for private land. Because the county is fully incorporated, permits are handled by each municipality. In the City of Milwaukee, a residential fence permit is required before installation.
Milwaukee County specifies no approved fence materials for private land. Allowed materials, such as wood, vinyl, chain link or ornamental metal, are defined by each incorporated city or village zoning code.
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.
West Allis regulates amplified music under the noise ordinance. Wisconsin State Fair Park events operate under separate state permits. Residential areas near the fairgrounds have heightened enforcement during fair season.
West Allis regulates noise and vibration under Municipal Code §7.035. The West Allis Health Department is the primary enforcement agency; Police Department may also enforce. Noise is measured in dB(A) using slow exponential time weighting.
Animal noise in West Allis falls under the general noise ordinance §7.035 and the city's animal ordinances. Persistent barking disturbing neighbors is subject to citation. Animal Control handles dogs running loose; Health Dept. handles noise complaints.
Milwaukee County does not set its own vehicle-noise ordinance for streets. Loud vehicles are governed by Wisconsin's statewide muffler statute, Wis. Stat. sec. 347.39, plus each municipality's local noise code. County parkway roads follow state motor-vehicle law and county park rules.
Milwaukee County sets no countywide construction-hours ordinance. Because the county is nearly fully incorporated, allowable construction times are set by each municipality's noise and building codes. The county regulates construction noise only on its own parkland and county facilities.
Milwaukee County sets no countywide decibel limits. Any numeric dBA thresholds are adopted by individual municipalities. The county's only direct noise metric is a distance test, not decibels: sound devices in county parks may not be heard beyond 50 feet under Code Chapter 47.
Outdoor music at private venues in Milwaukee County is regulated by municipal ordinances, not the county. The county does control outdoor music in its parks: under Code Chapter 47, sound may not carry beyond 50 feet, and larger concerts need authorization from the Parks director or County Board.
Milwaukee County has no countywide leaf-blower ordinance and no gas-blower ban. Any time-of-day or noise limits on leaf blowers come from individual municipal codes. On county parkland, blowers fall under the general 50-foot sound limit in Milwaukee County Code Chapter 47.
Milwaukee County does not regulate industrial or commercial noise directly; that is handled by municipal zoning and noise codes plus state permitting. The county has no factory-noise ordinance. Statewide, unreasonably loud conduct can be reached under Wis. Stat. sec. 947.01.
Milwaukee County owns Milwaukee Mitchell International (MKE) and Timmerman (MWC) airports, but aircraft operations and flight noise are regulated by the FAA, not the county. The county can only run a noise office and recommend voluntary abatement to the FAA; it cannot set local aircraft-noise limits.
West Allis fireworks are regulated under Fire Prevention Code §5.10, which incorporates §6.03(8) of the Revised Municipal Code. Permitted fireworks displays under Wis. Stat. §167.10 are exempt from noise ordinance restrictions.
West Allis allows only fully enclosed fire pit devices with a metal hood and screen. Must be at least 10 feet from any dwelling, garage, or accessory structure. Not permitted on porches or decks. Use prohibited after 11 PM.
Milwaukee County is fully urbanized and is not a wildfire or defensible-space region, so there is no county-wide brush-clearance mandate. Overgrown weeds on private lots are nuisance matters handled by each city, village, or town.
Milwaukee County is a fully urbanized metro county on the Lake Michigan shoreline and is not a wildfire or wildland-urban-interface region. There are no fire hazard severity zones, defensible-space mandates, or WUI building requirements here.
Open burning in Wisconsin is regulated by the DNR under NR 429 and by each municipality, not by Milwaukee County. NR 429.04 allows only small amounts of dry rubbish, leaves, and clippings unless a local ordinance bans it. Most urban municipalities prohibit residential burning.
There is no Milwaukee County ordinance for backyard recreational fires; those follow each city, village, or town fire code plus DNR open-burning rules. On county parks, Ordinance 47.05(4) allows a fire only in a place the county provides.
Smoke detector rules in Milwaukee County come from Wisconsin state law, Wis. Stat. 101.145, not a county ordinance. Owners must install detectors in the basement, at each stairway head, and in or near each sleeping area, on penalty of up to $50 per day.
Propane storage in Milwaukee County is regulated by Wisconsin's state code (SPS 340 adopting NFPA 58) and each municipal fire code, not a county ordinance. Household barbecue cylinders are generally exempt; larger tanks need permits and setbacks.
West Allis allows home occupations as accessory use in residential zones. Home occupation permit required. WI cottage food law applies for home bakers.
Milwaukee County does not regulate cottage food. Selling homemade foods is governed by Wisconsin state law and DATCP, including the Wis. Stat. 97.29 'pickle bill' exemption for home-canned high-acid foods sold under $5,000 per year.
Milwaukee County issues no home occupation permits. Whether a permit or license is required is set by your city or village, since the county has no zoning authority over residential property.
Milwaukee County does not regulate home business signs. Sign size, lighting, and whether any sign is allowed at a residence are set by your city or village zoning and sign ordinance, not the county.
Milwaukee County does not license home daycare. Wisconsin's Department of Children and Families licenses providers caring for four or more children under seven, and certifies smaller family providers; your municipality handles any zoning.
West Allis enforces maximum grass and weed height, typically 8 to 12 inches. Overgrown properties subject to code compliance action and city abatement.
Milwaukee County does not require a permit to remove a tree on private residential property. County forestry removes only hazardous trees in its 157 parks and on county grounds, largely driven by emerald ash borer. Street-tree and private-tree removal is a municipal matter.
Milwaukee County has no ordinance dictating plant choice on private yards, but it strongly protects native plants and native fungi within its 157-park system. Milwaukee County Ordinance sec. 47.08 bars harvesting, injuring, or removing park vegetation, and only DPRC-authorized staff may remove invasive species.
Weed control in Milwaukee County runs on Wisconsin's statewide noxious-weed law, Wis. Stat. sec. 66.0407, enforced by each municipality's weed commissioner. The county does not run a resident weed-enforcement program; landowners must destroy noxious weeds, and the local commissioner can abate and bill.
Milwaukee County places no restriction on residential rainwater harvesting, and Wisconsin does not require a permit to collect rooftop rainwater for outdoor use. Rain barrels are encouraged regionally for stormwater control. Any indoor or plumbed system follows the Wisconsin plumbing code.
Milwaukee County does not regulate trimming of trees on private residential property. County crews trim only trees in the 157-park county system and on county grounds. Street-tree and private-tree trimming rules come from your municipal forestry division, such as Milwaukee's City Forestry.
Milwaukee County does not regulate backyard composting on residential property. Home composting is broadly allowed, but pile management, odor, and vermin standards, plus any yard-waste or food-scrap collection program, are set by your municipality, such as the City of Milwaukee's yard-waste and DPW programs.
Milwaukee County sets no lawn-watering or sprinkling restrictions. Water is supplied by municipal utilities, chiefly Milwaukee Water Works for the City of Milwaukee, drawing from Lake Michigan, plus suburban systems. Any watering limits come from your water utility, not the county.
Milwaukee County does not regulate artificial or synthetic turf on residential property. Wisconsin has no statewide turf ban, so whether you may install artificial grass, and any standards, are decided by your city or village zoning code and any HOA rules, not by the county.
The City of West Allis participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and regulates floodplain development in conformance with Wis. Stat. Sec. 87.30 and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter NR 116, plus 44 CFR Parts 59-72. Honey Creek (a tributary of the Menomonee River) and the Kinnickinnic River watershed run through the city and are the principal regulated waterways. The city maintains a public Flooding Tracker GIS service that shows the FEMA 100-year floodplain and floodlines for West Allis. Development in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas requires zoning approval; new residential structures are prohibited in the regulatory floodway, and habitable space in the flood fringe must be elevated to the flood protection elevation.
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'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.
Milwaukee County has no ordinance targeting backyard smokers; those follow municipal fire codes. In county parks, smokers must be enclosed metal containers used with a picnic permit or first-come area, in-ground pits are banned, and coals must go in Hot Coals bins.
There is no county-wide backyard BBQ ordinance; private-property grilling follows municipal fire codes. In county parks, grilling needs a picnic permit or first-come area, must use enclosed metal containers, and hot coals must be doused and placed in Hot Coals bins.
Milwaukee County sets no building setback rules for private land. Front, side and rear yard setbacks are established by each incorporated city or village zoning code, which varies by district.
Milwaukee County sets no building height limits on private land. Maximum heights for houses, garages and accessory structures are established by each incorporated city or village zoning code.
Milwaukee County sets no lot coverage limits on private land. Maximum building and impervious coverage are established by each incorporated city or village zoning code, varying by district.
Milwaukee County does not run a countywide blight-enforcement program for private homes. Blight, nuisance, and derelict-property rules are set and enforced by each city, village, or town under Wisconsin's home-rule powers, not by the county.
Milwaukee County does not regulate residential garbage-cart storage or condition. Rules on where carts are kept, their lids, and screening are set by each city or village that provides curbside collection, not by the county.
Wisconsin's noxious-weed duty under Wis. Stat. § 66.0407 requires every landowner to destroy noxious weeds, but height limits and mowing enforcement are set by each city or village. Milwaukee County does not run tall-grass enforcement on private property.
Milwaukee County does not enforce maintenance of privately owned vacant lots. Weed cutting, debris removal, and securing empty parcels are handled by each city or village under Wisconsin municipal law, not by the county.
Milwaukee County has no ordinance on garage or rummage sales. Limits on how many sales per year, sale duration, and sign placement are set by each city or village. In the City of Milwaukee, no more than two rummage sales per residence per year are allowed.
Milwaukee County does not run curbside garbage collection. Each city, village, and town provides its own pickup and sets collection days, schedules, and rules. The City of Milwaukee collects through its DPW Sanitation Division under Code Chapter 79.
Wisconsin's statewide recycling law, Wis. Stat. § 287.07, bans landfilling or burning aluminum, glass, plastic and steel containers, paper, and cardboard. Municipalities — not Milwaukee County — are the designated “responsible units” that run recycling programs.
Milwaukee County offers no countywide bulky-item pickup. Large-item disposal is arranged through each city or village. The City of Milwaukee operates DPW self-help drop-off centers and scheduled special collections for furniture and large debris.
Wisconsin's littering statute, Wis. Stat. § 287.81, bans depositing solid waste on any public or private property, with forfeitures up to $500 (up to $1,000 for large items). Milwaukee County enforces dumping on its parks and land; municipalities enforce elsewhere.
Milwaukee County sets no rules on where or when to place trash and recycling carts. Set-out timing, curb placement, and clearance are governed by each city or village that provides collection, such as the City of Milwaukee's DPW Sanitation Division.
Political signs in Milwaukee County are governed by Wisconsin state law. Under Wis. Stat. 12.04, no county or municipality may regulate the size, shape, placement, or content of a political sign on residential property, except as needed for traffic or pedestrian safety.
Milwaukee County has no garage-sale sign ordinance. Temporary and off-premises signs are regulated by each city or village sign code, and signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way. Rules on duration and location vary by municipality.
Milwaukee County has no countywide dark-sky or outdoor-lighting ordinance for private property. Lighting, shielding, and glare standards are adopted by individual cities and villages through their zoning codes, so requirements vary across the county.
Milwaukee County has no light-trespass ordinance for private property. Light spilling onto a neighbor is addressed by each city or village zoning and nuisance code, and otherwise through a private nuisance claim under Wisconsin law.
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 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 has no comprehensive non-condo HOA act. Condominium associations get a statutory assessment lien under Wis. Stat. § 703.165 that is foreclosed like a mortgage. Non-condo HOAs have no such statute and collect through their recorded declaration plus the Nonstock Corporation Act, Wis. Stat. ch. 181.
Wisconsin condominiums run through an association of unit owners under Wis. Stat. § 703.15, which sets meeting-notice, proxy, and voting rules. Non-condo HOAs are governed as nonstock corporations under Wis. Stat. ch. 181, including member record-inspection rights under § 181.1601 and § 181.1602 and statutory meeting and election rules.
Wisconsin has no comprehensive HOA act governing covenant enforcement. Condominium use and architectural restrictions are enforced through the declaration and bylaws under Wis. Stat. § 703.10. Non-condo HOA covenants are enforced as recorded deed restrictions under common law plus the declaration and ch. 181.
Wisconsin has no statute that sets or caps HOA or condominium fines. Condominium enforcement power flows from the Condominium Ownership Act and the recorded bylaws under Wis. Stat. § 703.10, while non-condo HOA fine authority exists only in the recorded declaration plus the Nonstock Corporation Act, ch. 181.
Wisconsin overrides anti-solar and anti-wind HOA restrictions by statute. Wis. Stat. § 236.292 voids restrictions on platted land that prevent or unduly restrict solar or wind energy systems. Because there is no comprehensive HOA act, most other owner protections still come from the declaration, ch. 703, and local zoning.
Wis. Stat. Sec. 704.17 sets the pre-eviction notice. For nonpayment of rent on a month-to-month tenancy or a lease of one year or less, the landlord gives a 5-day notice to pay or vacate; a second default within a year allows a 14-day no-cure notice. Notices for other lease breaches follow the same 5-day cure or 14-day pattern. Eviction itself proceeds under ch. 799.
Wis. Stat. Sec. 704.07 makes the landlord keep structural elements, common areas, and equipment supplying heat, water, and other services in a reasonable state of repair. If the premises become untenantable from fire, water, or a health or safety hazard, the tenant may move out unless the landlord repairs promptly, and rent abates to the extent the tenant loses full normal use.
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.
Wis. Stat. Sec. 704.05(2) lets a landlord enter only on advance notice and at reasonable times to inspect, repair, or show the unit. Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09(2) makes that concrete: at least 12 hours' advance notice unless the tenant consents to less. A landlord may enter without notice in an emergency to preserve or protect the premises.
Wisconsin sets no dollar or percentage cap on residential late fees. Under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.09, a landlord may charge one only if the rental agreement specifically provides for it, must first apply rent prepayments to offset rent owed, and may not charge a penalty for nonpayment of a late fee.
Under Wis. Stat. Sec. 704.19, either the landlord or tenant may end a month-to-month or other periodic tenancy with at least 28 days' written notice. If rent is payable on a basis less than monthly, notice at least equal to the rent-paying period is enough. Year-to-year agricultural tenancies require 90 days. A fixed-term lease ends on its own date without this notice.
Wisconsin prohibits rent control statewide. Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 bars every city, village, town, and county from regulating the amount of rent charged for a residential rental unit. There is no statewide rent cap and no Wisconsin locality operates a rent control program, so rent and increases are set by the lease and the market.
Wisconsin has no rent control and no dedicated rent-increase notice law. Because an increase changes the terms of a periodic tenancy, it takes effect only at a new rental period, so a landlord must use the termination notice in Wis. Stat. Sec. 704.19. For month-to-month that means at least 28 days' written notice.
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 sets no statutory cap on the amount of a residential security deposit. After a tenancy ends, the landlord must mail or deliver the deposit, less lawful deductions, within 21 days. If any amount is withheld, the landlord must include a written, itemized statement describing each deduction. Normal wear and tear cannot be charged.
Wisconsin recognizes three adverse-possession tracks. The default under Wis. Stat. Sec. 893.25 is 20 years of uninterrupted possession with no written instrument. Sec. 893.26 shortens it to 10 years when entry is under a recorded written instrument or judgment. Sec. 893.27 cuts it to 7 years when, in addition, the claimant pays all taxes for the period.
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 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 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.