Madison CHAPTER 114: APARTMENTS AND RENTAL PROPERTY; LODGING § 114.05
APPLICATION AND LICENSE
Operative Text
(A) (1) A written application for the license required by this chapter shall be submitted on forms furnished by the office of the City Clerk. The completed application and appropriate fees to be filed and registered with the office of the City Clerk. (2) Applications shall accurately state the full name the license is to be issued under; the full name and address of the owner of the buildings or premises so licensed; the full street address, including all individual apartment numbers, if applicable, of each rental unit found within the corporate limits of the city owned by the holder of the license; the full name and address of the person or persons to reside in each rental unit; the number of persons so to reside; and the full name and address of the responsible person who will accept notification concerning the premises. Licenses are not transferable from one party to another. (B) Upon the sale of any structure, it shall be necessary for the new owner or owners to acquire a new license subject to the same conditions as the original license. (C) Upon the re-rental of any rental unit to a different occupant or occupants it shall be necessary for the owner to immediately notify the office of the City Clerk of the change in occupancy status and to amend the license application to reflect the changed status. No separate fee will be charged for the amendment. (Ord. 1302, passed 3-27-1996) Penalty, see § 114.99
Madison § 114.05 establishes the application and licensing process for rental property operators within the city. Rental licenses must be applied for in writing using City Clerk forms, and the application must include detailed information about the property, its units, and the occupants. Licenses are non-transferable, meaning a change in ownership requires a new license, and any change in occupancy must be promptly reported to the City Clerk's office at no additional fee.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Madison § 114.05, compliant rental property operators obtain a license through the City Clerk's office before renting units, ensuring their application accurately lists all rental units, current occupants, and a responsible contact person. When a property is sold, the new owner obtains a fresh license rather than assuming the prior owner's. Whenever a unit turns over to a new occupant, operators promptly notify the City Clerk and amend the license application to reflect the updated occupancy — no additional fee is charged for that amendment.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Madison § 114.05 requires that landlords maintain a current, accurate license with the City Clerk that includes the names and addresses of occupants in each rental unit. If a landlord fails to properly license a rental property or update occupancy records as required, that may constitute a violation subject to penalties under § 114.99. Tenants who believe their landlord is not in compliance with the licensing requirements of § 114.05 can contact the City Clerk's office or a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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