Rent control in Wisconsin

One rule applies, with its citation below.

Research, not legal advice

These summaries are compiled from ordinance text and public sources and are dated at the point they were last checked. Rules change between checks — Newark replaced its whole registration regime in a single month — so confirm anything you are about to underwrite against the primary source or the municipal office named in the citation.

Local residential rent and fee control is prohibited

Wisconsinhigh confidence

Verified on 2026-09-05 — 26 days ago.

Wis. Stat. § 66.1015 prohibits a city, village, town, or county from regulating the amount of rent or fees charged for a residential rental dwelling unit.

The statute preserves government-owned or operated housing and voluntary agreements with private persons. It does not displace independently applicable lease, notice, retaliation, discrimination, subsidy, or federal requirements.

In effect since 1991-08-15.

Sources

Wisconsin Stat. § 66.1015 — municipal rent control prohibited — Wis. Stat. § 66.1015
1991 Wisconsin Act 39 — enactment of municipal rent-control preemption — 1991 Wis. Act 39, effective August 15, 1991

Every rule for Wisconsin