Security deposit law in Wisconsin

The rule in Wisconsin

Wisconsin sets no statutory cap on the size of a residential security deposit: the source checked (Wisconsin State Legislature, § 704.28) states no maximum, so the amount is whatever the lease says.

The return deadline is 21 days, counted from the date set by § 704.28(4), which depends on when the tenant vacates relative to the lease end. The text reads: “within 21 days after any of the following.”

Of the 44 jurisdictions verified here, 9 give landlords less time and 29 give more; the median is 30 days. California, Connecticut, Idaho, Minnesota and South Dakota also allow 21 days.

Without a cap there is no dollar ceiling to compute. For comparison, 27 of the 44 verified jurisdictions do cap deposits, from one month's rent in states such as Alabama up to three months' rent in Nevada.

Worked date: if the clock starts on November 30, 2026, the deadline falls on December 21, 2026.

In neighbouring states with verified rules: Illinois allows 45 days and sets no cap, Iowa allows 30 days and caps deposits at two months' rent, Michigan allows 30 days and caps deposits at one and a half months' rent and Minnesota allows 21 days and sets no cap.

If a deposit is not returned, the small claims limit in Wisconsin is $10,000 (small claims rules).

Source: Wisconsin State Legislature, § 704.28 · last checked October 20, 2026.

If the deposit does not come back

The statute above sets the deadline; what happens after it passes is covered in general terms in the guide on a deposit that is not returned, and the way each state starts and counts the clock is compared in how deposit deadlines are counted.