Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in Madison, WI (2026)

Whether Madison, WI permits short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) has not been confirmed from an official source. Contact the local planning department at (608) 266-4635 to verify current STR rules — including whether hosting is permitted at all, registration requirements, and any local restrictions — before listing your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or a similar platform.

Statewide Preemption

Registration Requirements

Whether short-term rental registration is required in Madison has not been confirmed from official sources. Contact the local planning department or local building department to verify current registration requirements before hosting on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.

Operational Rules

No specific operational rules listed for short-term rentals in Madison beyond standard property codes.

• •STR registration required for rentals of less than 29 consecutive days
• •Wisconsin Act 59 of 2017 prevents Madison from banning STRs of 7+ consecutive days outright
• •Madison may impose licensing, safety requirements, and density limits for STRs
• •Both hosted (room rental) and non-hosted (whole-home) STRs permitted with registration
• •All listings must include Madison registration number
• •Wisconsin state sales tax (5%) plus Dane County room tax applies
• •Building must meet fire safety and occupancy code requirements

Penalties for Violations

Specific penalty amounts for STR violations in Madison are not listed. Contact the local planning department for enforcement information.

• ⚠$250-$1,500 per violation for unregistered STR operation
• ⚠Registration revocation for repeat code violations
• ⚠Continued fines for persistent violations

Frequently Asked Questions