Chapter ATCP 72

Ch. ATCP 72 Note Note: Chapter HSS 195 as it existed on June 30, 1985, was repealed and a new chapter HSS 195 was created effective July 1, 1985. Chapter HSS 195 was renumbered chapter HFS 195 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register, January, 1997, No. 493. Chapter HFS 195 was renumbered chapter DHS 195 effective February 1, 2009, under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637. Chapter DHS 195 was renumbered chapter ATCP 72 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register June 2016 No. 726.

ATCP 72.01 ATCP 72.01 Authority and purpose. Section 97.625, Stats., gives the department authority to prescribe rules for hotels, including motels, and tourist rooming houses and to enforce these rules for the purpose of protecting public health and safety.

ATCP 72.01 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1985, No. 354, eff. 7-1-85; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, January, 1995, No. 469; CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 195.01 Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; renum. from DHS 195.01 Register June 2016 No. 726; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2016 No. 726.

ATCP 72.02 ATCP 72.02 Scope of rules.

ATCP 72.02(1) (1) Applicability. The provisions of this chapter apply to the operator of any hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.02(2) (2) Approved comparable compliance. When it appears to the department that strict adherence to a provision of this chapter is impractical for a particular hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house, the department may approve a modification in that rule for that facility if the department is provided with satisfactory proof that the grant of a variance will not jeopardize the public’s health, safety or welfare.

ATCP 72.02 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1985, No. 354, eff. 7-1-85; CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 195.02 Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; renum. from DHS 195.02 Register June 2016 No. 726.

ATCP 72.03 ATCP 72.03 Definitions. In this chapter:

ATCP 72.03(1) (1) “Agent” means the city or county designated by the department to issue licenses to and make investigations or inspections of hotels, motels, or tourist rooming houses.

ATCP 72.03(2) (2) “Approved” means acceptable to the department, based on its determination of conformance with this chapter and good public health practices.

ATCP 72.03(3) (3) “Communicable disease” has the meaning prescribed in s. DHS 145.03 (4).

ATCP 72.03(4) (4) “Department” means the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

ATCP 72.03(5) (5) “Easily cleanable” means readily accessible and made of a kind of material and finish and so fabricated that residue may be completely removed by normal cleaning methods.

ATCP 72.03(6) (6) “Employee” means any person working in a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.03(7) (7) “Equipment” means, in connection with the operation of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house, stoves, ranges, hoods, counters, refrigerators, ice-making machines, sinks, and similar appliances and other items used to prepare or hold foods or to clean utensils.

ATCP 72.03(8) (8) “Existing,” in reference to a hotel, motel or tourist rooming house, means operating with a license from the department before the adoption of this chapter.

ATCP 72.03(9) (9) “Facility” means a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.03(10) (10) “Furnishings” means, in connection with the operation of a hotel, motel or tourist rooming house, linens, beds, bedding, chairs, tables, shelves, drapes, carpeting, curtains, decorations, fixtures, and similar items provided in the sleeping rooms and common areas of the facility.

ATCP 72.03(11) (11) “Hotel” means a place where sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to transients, in 5 or more rooms, and all related rooms, buildings and areas.

ATCP 72.03(12) (12) “Motel” means a hotel that furnishes on-premise parking for motor vehicles of guests as part of the room charge, without extra cost, and that is identified as a “motel” rather than a“hotel” at the request of the operator.

ATCP 72.03(13) (13) “New,” in reference to a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house, means operating with a license from the department for the first time on or after the effective date of this chapter.

ATCP 72.03(14) (14) “Operator” means the person legally responsible for the operation of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.03(15) (15) “Person” means an individual, partnership, association, firm, company, corporation, municipality, county, or town, whether tenant, owner, lessee, licensee, or the agent, heir, or assignee of any of these.

ATCP 72.03(16) (16) “Premises” means the tract of land on which a hotel, motel or tourist rooming house is located and all associated buildings on that land.

ATCP 72.03(17) (17) “Privy” means a structure not connected to a plumbing system, which is used by persons for the disposal of human body wastes.

ATCP 72.03(18) (18) “Sleeping accommodations offered for pay” means all sleeping rooms on the premises including quarters occupied by permanent guests but excluding sleeping rooms occupied by the operator or owner or his or her immediate family.

ATCP 72.03(19) (19) “Tourist or transient” means a person who travels to a location away from his or her permanent address for a short period of time for vacation, pleasure, recreation, culture, business, or employment.

ATCP 72.03(20) (20) “Tourist rooming house” means all lodging places and tourist cabins and cottages, other than hotels and motels, in which sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to tourists or transients. It does not include private boarding or rooming houses not accommodating tourists or transients, or bed and breakfast establishments regulated under ch. ATCP 73.

ATCP 72.03(21) (21) “Utensil” means any kitchenware, tableware, glassware, cutlery, container, or similar item with which food or drink comes into contact during storage, preparation or serving.

ATCP 72.03 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1985, No. 354, eff. 7-1-85; am. (19), Register, November, 1986, No. 371, eff. 12-1-86; correction in (3) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register May 2002 No. 557; CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 195.03 and am. (4) Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; corrections in (3) and (20) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637; renum. from DHS 195.03 Register June 2016 No. 726; correction in (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., correction in (20) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2016 No. 726; CR 18-019: am. (1), (8), (13) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20.

ATCP 72.04 ATCP 72.04 Licenses.

ATCP 72.04(1) (1) License required.

ATCP 72.04(1)(a) (a) No hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house may be opened to the public until the operator of the facility has obtained a license from the department or its agent by submitting an application under sub. (4) and paying the applicable fee specified in s. ATCP 72.05. A separate license is required for each hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.04(1)(b) (b) If any license holder sells or otherwise transfers ownership or operation of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house to another person, except as provided in sub. (3), a new initial license is required, and the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house may not be opened to the public until the department has issued a new initial license.

ATCP 72.04(2) (2) License duration and renewal.

ATCP 72.04(2)(a) (a) Each license issued under this chapter expires on June 30, except that a license initially issued during the period beginning on April 1 and ending on June 30 expires on June 30 of the following year.

ATCP 72.04(2)(b) (b) Each license shall be renewed annually as provided in sub. (4) (b).

ATCP 72.04(3) (3) Transferability of licenses. An individual may transfer a license to an immediate family member, as defined in s. 97.605 (4) (a) 2., Stats., if the individual is transferring operation of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house. A sole proprietorship that reorganizes as a business entity, as defined in s. 180.1100 (1g), Stats., or a business entity that reorganizes as a sole proprietorship or a different type of business entity may transfer a license to the newly formed business entity or sole proprietorship if the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house remains at the location for which the license was issued and at least one individual who had an ownership interest in the sole proprietorship or business entity to which the license was issued has an ownership interest in the newly formed sole proprietorship or business entity. Except as provided in this subsection, no license issued under this chapter is transferable from one premise to another or from one person or entity to another.

ATCP 72.04 Note Note: Under s. 97.605 (4) (a) 2., Stats., “Immediate family member” means a spouse, grandparent, parent, sibling, child, stepchild, or grandchild or the spouse of a grandparent, parent, sibling, child, stepchild, or grandchild. Under ss. 97.605 (4) (a) 1. and 180.1100 (1g), Stats., a “business entity” means: a corporation, as defined in s. 180.0103 (5), Stats., a limited liability company, as defined in s. 183.0102 (10), Stats., a limited partnership, or a corporation, as defined in s. 181.0103 (5), Stats., a foreign limited liability company, as defined in s. 183.0102 (8), Stats., a foreign limited partnership, a foreign corporation, as defined in s. 180.0103 (9), Stats., or a foreign corporation, as defined in s. 181.0103 (13), Stats.

ATCP 72.04(4) (4) License application.

ATCP 72.04(4)(a) (a) Initial license. Application for an initial or new license shall be made on an application form furnished by the department or its agent and shall be accompanied by all of the following:

ATCP 72.04(4)(a)1. 1. The applicable fees specified under s. ATCP 72.05 and any fees previously due to the department or its agent.

ATCP 72.04(4)(a)2. 2. Information, as determined by the department or its agent, indicating that the hotel, motel, and tourist rooming house will be maintained and operated in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and that rules have been implemented for the operation of the hotel, motel, and tourist rooming house that will protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

ATCP 72.04 Note Note: To obtain a copy of the hotel, motel or tourist rooming house operator license application form, or to determine which agent to contact for an application form, call [phone] or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

ATCP 72.04(4)(b) (b) Renewal license. To renew the license of a facility, the operator shall pay the department, the applicable establishment license fee specified under s. ATCP 72.05 before the license expires. If the payment to renew the license of an establishment is not made to the department before the expiration date of the establishment license, the late fee specified under s. ATCP 72.05 (2) (c) shall be paid in addition to the license fee.

ATCP 72.04 Note Note: Local health department that are agents for the department have authority under s. 97.41 (4) (a), Stats., to establish and collect fees for licenses issued by the local health department. If the establishment was licensed by a local health department, contact the local health department for its license fee schedule.

ATCP 72.04(5) (5) Department or agent action on license application.

ATCP 72.04(5)(a) (a) The department or its agent shall issue or deny a license within 30 days after receiving a complete application, all applicable fees, and the other information required under sub. (4).

ATCP 72.04(5)(b) (b) Except as provided in s. 93.135, Stats., the initial issuance, renewal, or continued validity of a license issued under this subsection may be conditioned upon the requirement that the license holder correct a violation of this chapter, s. 97.605, Stats., or ordinances adopted under s. 97.615 (2) (g), Stats., within a period of time specified. If the condition is not met within the specified time or after an extension of time as approved by the department, the license is void. No person may operate a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house after a license has been voided under this paragraph, and any person who does so shall be subject to the penalties under ss. 97.72 and 97.73, Stats. An operator whose license is voided under this paragraph may appeal the decision under s. ATCP 72.08.

ATCP 72.04(5)(c) (c) The department or its agent may refuse to issue or renew a license to operate a hotel, motel or tourist rooming house under any of the following circumstances:

ATCP 72.04(5)(c)1. 1. The department or its agent has not conducted a preinspection of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house for which an initial or new license is required under sub. (1).

ATCP 72.04(5)(c)2. 2. The operator of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house has not corrected a condition for which the department or agent has issued a written a health or safety–related order.

ATCP 72.04(5)(c)3. 3. All applicable fees under s. ATCP 72.05 have not been paid, including the license fee, preinspection fee, reinspection fee, or other applicable fees.

ATCP 72.04(5)(c)4. 4. The operator has modified, repaired or maintained the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house in a manner that is not in accordance with what the department recognizes as safe practice as outlined in this chapter.

ATCP 72.04(5)(c)5. 5. The operator, applicant, or license holder has failed to provide the department or its agent with information required under sub. (4).

ATCP 72.04(5)(c)6. 6. The operator or applicant has violated ch. 97, Stats., this chapter, or any order, ordinance, or regulation created by a village, city, county, or local board of health having jurisdiction, provided such violation is related to the operation of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.04(5)(d) (d) If the department or its agent denies an application for a license, the applicant shall be given reasons, in writing, for the denial and information regarding appeal rights under s. ATCP 72.08.

ATCP 72.04(6) (6) Voided license for failure to pay fees. If an applicant or operator fails to pay all applicable fees, late fees and processing charges under s. ATCP 72.05 within 15 days after the applicant or operator receives notice of an insufficiency under s. ATCP 72.05, or within 45 days after the expiration of the license, whichever occurs first, the license is void. An operator whose license is voided under this subsection may appeal the decision under s. ATCP 72.08. In an appeal concerning a voided license under this subsection, the burden is on the license applicant or operator to show that the entire applicable fees, late fees and processing charges have been paid. During any appeal process concerning a payment dispute, operation of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house is deemed to be operation without a license and is subject to the fees under s. ATCP 72.05 (2) (e) in addition to the fees otherwise due, unless the applicant or operator meets its burden of proof under this subsection.

ATCP 72.04(7) (7) License posting. A current license issued by the department shall be posted in a place visible to the public. A license may not be altered or defaced.

ATCP 72.04 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1985, No. 354, eff. 7-1-85; emerg. am. (1), cr. (1m), eff. 9-1-94; am. (1), cr. (1m), Register, January, 1995, No. 469, eff. 2-1-95; emerg. r. (1m) (a) 2., renum. (1m) (a) 3. and am., am. (1m) (b) to (d), eff. 7-1-96; r. (1m) (a) 2., renum. (1m) (a) 3. to be (1m) (a) 2. and am., am. (1m) (b) to (d), Register, January, 1997, No. 493, eff. 2-1-97; am. (1m) (a) to (c), (1m) (d) 1., renum. (1m) (d) 1., cr. (1m) (d) 1. a. to c., 2. and (3), Register, August, 1998, No. 512, eff. 9-1-98; CR 01-016: am. (1m) (a) 2., (d) 1., r. (1m) (e) Register May 2002 No. 557, eff. 6-1-02; CR 08-073: renum. from HFS 195.04, r. and recr. Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; corrections in (4) (b) and (6) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637; renum. from DHS 195.04 Register June 2016 No. 726; correction in (1) (a), (3), (4) (a) 1., (b), (5) (b), (c) 3., 6., (d), (6) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2016 No. 726; CR 18-019: am. (1), (2), (3), (4) (title), (a) (intro.), (b), (5) (title), (a), (b), (c) (intro.), 1., 3., (d), (6), (7) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20; corrections in (4) (b), (5) (c) 5. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769; correction in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register February 2023 No. 806.

ATCP 72.05 ATCP 72.05 Department fees.

ATCP 72.05(1) (1) Fee schedules. The fees listed in Table ATCP 72.05 A shall apply to licenses issued from April 1, 2009 through March 31, 2011. The fees listed in Table ATCP 72.05 B shall apply to licenses issued on or after April 1, 2011.

ATCP 72.05(2) (2) Types of fees.

ATCP 72.05(2)(a) (a) Preinspection fee. The operator of a hotel, motel or tourist rooming house shall, pursuant to sub. (1), pay the applicable preinspection fee listed in Table ATCP 72.05 A or B to the department before an initial or new license is issued under s. ATCP 72.04.

ATCP 72.05(2)(b) (b) License fee. The operator of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house shall, pursuant to sub. (1), pay the applicable license fee listed in Table ATCP 72.05 A or B to the department for each hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house that the operator applies for a license to operate under s. ATCP 72.04 (1) or (2).

ATCP 72.05(2)(c) (c) Late fee. If the license fee for a license renewal is not paid before the expiration date of the license, the operator of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house shall pay to the department a late fee of $85.00 in addition to the renewal license fee.

ATCP 72.05(2)(d) (d) Reinspection fee. If the department conducts a reinspection of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house under s. ATCP 72.06 (1) (b), the operator shall, pursuant to sub. (1), pay to the department the applicable reinspection fee listed in Table ATCP 72.05 A or B. The department shall assess an additional reinspection fee as listed in Table ATCP 72.05 A or B, whichever is applicable, for any additional reinspection conducted under s. ATCP 72.06 (1) (b) 4.

ATCP 72.05(2)(e) (e) Fees for operating without a license. Any hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house found to be operating without a license shall pay to the department an amount of $749.00, in addition to all applicable fees and any processing charges under s. ATCP 72.04 (6).

ATCP 72.05 Note Note: Anyone operating a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house without a license is also subject to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 under s. 97.72, Stats.

ATCP 72.05(2)(f) (f) Duplicate license. The department shall charge the operator of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house $15 for a duplicate license.

ATCP 72.05(2)(g) (g) Fees for special condition inspections. For inspection or consultation activities that are not directly related to the department’s licensing responsibilities, the department shall charge the operator or the entity requesting the inspection or consultation $175.00.

ATCP 72.05(3) (3) Method of payment. If the payment for an initial or renewal license is by check or other draft drawn upon an account containing insufficient funds, the applicant or operator shall, within 15 days after receipt of notice from the department of the insufficiency, pay all applicable fees under sub. (1) and the financial institution’s processing charges by cashier’s check or other certified draft, money order, or cash.

ATCP 72.05 History History: CR 08-073: cr. Register January 2009 No. 637, eff. 2-1-09; renum. from DHS 195.05 Register June 2016 No. 726; correction in (1), (2) (a), (b), (d), (e), Tables A, B made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register June 2016 No. 726; CR 18-019: am. (1), (2) (a) to (c), (e) to (g), (3) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20.

ATCP 72.06 ATCP 72.06 Enforcement.

ATCP 72.06(1) (1) Inspections and access to the premises.

ATCP 72.06(1)(a) (a) Inspections. Under ss. 97.615 (2) and 97.65 (1), Stats., an authorized employee or agent of the department, upon presenting proper identification, may enter any hotel, motel or tourist rooming house at any reasonable time, for any of the following purposes:

ATCP 72.06(1)(a)1. 1. To inspect the hotel, motel or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.06(1)(a)2. 2. To determine if there has been a violation of this chapter or ss. 97.603 to 97.65, Stats.

ATCP 72.06(1)(a)3. 3. To determine compliance with previously written violation orders.

ATCP 72.06(1)(a)4. 4. To secure samples or specimens.

ATCP 72.06(1)(a)5. 5. To examine and copy relevant documents and records provided such information is related to the operation of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.06(1)(a)6. 6. To obtain photographic or other evidence needed to enforce this chapter.

ATCP 72.06(1)(b) (b) Reinspections.

ATCP 72.06(1)(b)1. 1. The department or its agent may reinspect a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house whenever an inspection or the investigation of a complaint reveals the existence of a violation that is potentially hazardous to the health and welfare of patrons or employees of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

ATCP 72.06(1)(b)2. 2. A reinspection shall be scheduled to allow the operator a reasonably sufficient time to correct the deficiencies.

ATCP 72.06(1)(b)3. 3. The reinspection fee under Table ATCP 72.05 A or B or applicable charges as determined by an agent of the department shall be charged for the reinspection.

ATCP 72.06(1)(b)4. 4. If an additional reinspection is required because a violation has not been corrected in the scheduled time, the department shall assess the operator an additional reinspection fee according to Table ATCP 72.05 and the department may order the operator to show just cause why the license should not be suspended or revoked under s. ATCP 72.07.

ATCP 72.06(2) (2) General orders to correct violations.