Overview of Wisconsin HOA Law Changes 2021–2025
Wisconsin condominiums are governed by the Wisconsin Condominium Ownership Act, Wis. Stat. Chapter 703. Wisconsin passed two real, verifiable acts in 2021 that materially updated this framework and, for the first time, created dedicated statutory transparency requirements for homeowners associations (non-condo communities) as well.
2021 Legislative Session
2021 Wisconsin Act 168 — Condominium Ownership Act Updates
Act 168 made comprehensive changes to Wis. Stat. Chapter 703, including updates to definitions, recording requirements, procedures for unit separation and merger, and protections related to converting rental buildings to condominiums. It also expanded unit owners' record-inspection rights, giving owners a 6-year lookback period with a 10-day written notice requirement, removed the applicability of Wisconsin's nonstock corporation records statutes to condo associations (since condo associations now have their own tailored records rules), and added a website or records-portal mandate for associations with 100 or more units, effective April 1, 2023.
2021 Wisconsin Act 199 — New HOA Transparency and Filing Requirements
Act 199 created new transparency, notice, and filing requirements for Wisconsin homeowners associations — a category that previously had far less statutory structure than condominiums. It added new provisions at Wis. Stat. § 710.18. General provisions took effect the day after publication, with most substantive sections effective March 20, 2022. A notable feature of Act 199 is a new online HOA notice-filing and search system run by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI); that particular provision was delayed until January 1, 2023, and the system went live December 28, 2022, giving the public a way to search for registered HOA filings.
Board Action Checklist
- If your condominium association has 100 or more units, confirm you have implemented the website or records-portal requirement effective April 1, 2023
- Update your records-inspection procedure to reflect the 6-year lookback and 10-day written notice standard under the updated Chapter 703
- If you operate a non-condo HOA, confirm your association has completed any required filing with the DFI's online HOA notice-filing system
- Review Act 199's § 710.18 transparency requirements against your current notice and disclosure practices
- Consult Wisconsin counsel before assuming any statutory right or requirement beyond what Acts 168 and 199 actually enacted — some secondary sources describe additional 2022 and 2025 changes that could not be independently verified against primary legislative text
How APM Helps Wisconsin HOA Boards Stay Compliant
APM's remote HOA management service monitors Wisconsin HOA and condominium law updates and provides client boards with compliance guidance and updated policy templates as the law changes. Learn about our Wisconsin remote management services. Contact us at billing@apmhoa.com or call 810-777-7060.
Legal disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney for guidance specific to your community.
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