SB 473 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: local regulation of accessory dwelling units. (FE)

SB 473 requires local governments to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family lot as a "permitted use" without special permits, directly affecting homeowners in residential and mixed-use zones. Localities may still set reasonable limits on ADU size (capped at the main house's square footage), height, and setbacks, but cannot impose additional approvals for standard ADUs. The bill also prohibits new ADUs created after its effective date from being used as short-term rentals (like Airbnb), while allowing existing ADUs to remain unaffected. This standardizes ADU access across the state while giving communities flexibility to manage development.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Oct 2, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 5, Noes 0
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry, Ayes 5, Noes 0
upper
Oct 13, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Bradley
upper
Oct 2, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Bradley, Feyen, Roys, Wall and Cabral-Guevara; cosponsored by Representatives Goeben, Brooks, Kreibich, O'Connor, Krug, Rivera-Wagner, Piwowarczyk, Murphy, Brill, Knodl, Summerfield, Behnke, Wichgers and Palmeri
upper
5 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors