Announcements
ATCP 72 Rule Changes Update
Updates to Wis. Admin. Code. ch. ATCP 72 Hotel, Motel, Tourist Rooming Houses have now been finalized and went into effect on January 25, 2026.
These changes impact operational and compliance requirements for all hotel, motel, and tourist rooming house establishments.
We encourage you to review the updated ch. ATCP 72 and the Changes to ATCP 72 Fact Sheet.
Training Webinars
Have Questions or Suggestions?
If you have questions, suggestions, or need clarification on specific provisions, please contact the recreational technical mailbox at DATCPDFRSRec@Wisconsin.gov.
A hotel is defined as a place where sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to transients, in five or more
rooms, and all related rooms, buildings, and areas.
A motel means a hotel that furnishes on-premises parking for motor vehicles of guests as part of the room charge, without extra cost, and is identified as a motel rather than a hotel at the request of the operator. All fees related to hotel and motel licensing are identical.Duration
- Each license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) expires June 30 of each year.
- License dates extend from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the following year.
- If a license is granted after April 1 of a license year, that license will extend to June 30 of the following year.
- Example: If a business is licensed by DATCP on April 1, 2019, then their license will expire June 30, 2020.
- Renewal fees for existing establishments shall be submitted to DATCP before June 30 each year.
Fees
| Type of Facility | Annual License Fee | One Time Pre-Inspection Fee |
| Hotel/Motel 5-30 Rooms | $205 | $480 |
| Hotel/Motel 31-99 Rooms | $280 | $665 |
| Hotel/Motel 100-199 Rooms | $355 | $795 |
| Hotel/Motel 200+ Rooms | $490 | $1,185 |
Instructions
- To obtain a license through DATCP, call (608) 224-4923 or email our licensing specialists.
- The licensing specialist will get you the information you need and will explain the process steps.