How Ashwaubenon Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Ashwaubenon maintains 26 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Ashwaubenon falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Taxes & Fees

Wisconsin state room tax is 5% (WI Stat. §77.98). Ashwaubenon levies additional local room tax. Platforms auto-collect in many jurisdictions. Total 10 to 14% typical.

Key details: State Room Tax: 5%. Local Tax: 6 to 8% typical. Platforms: Auto-collect in many areas. State Law: WI Stat. §77.98.

Non-remittance: penalties + interest per WI Dept. of Revenue. Tax evasion: misdemeanor charges.

Noise Rules

Sec. 6-13-22(C)(5) of the Village of Ashwaubenon Municipal Code requires that 'There shall not be excessive noise, fumes, glare, vibrations generated during the use' of any licensed short-term rental. Sec. 6-13-22(C)(9) limits any outdoor event held at a short-term rental to no longer than one day, occurring only between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and requires that 'Any activities shall be in compliance with other noise regulations of the Village.' These standards work together with the Sec. 11-1-23(J) public-nuisance rule against animals or fowl that 'by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, crowing or making of other noises, greatly annoys or disturbs a neighborhood' and the Village's general noise ordinance at Sec. 9-06. Article 13 of Chapter 6 was adopted under Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014 (the Wisconsin short-term rental statute) and Wis. Stat. Sec. 61.35 (village zoning).

Key details: Noise Ban: Sec. 6-13-22(C)(5) bans 'excessive noise, fumes, glare, vibrations' from any short-term rental. Event Limit: Sec. 6-13-22(C)(9) limits outdoor events to one day between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.. Compliance Requirement: Sec. 6-13-22(C)(9) requires compliance with 'other noise regulations of the Village'. Property Manager: Sec. 6-13-26 requires a Property Manager within 25 miles, available 24 hours a day. License Revocation: Sec. 6-13-30(B)(3) allows license revocation after 3 nuisance-related calls in 12 months.

Generating excessive noise from a licensed STR violates Sec. 6-13-22(C)(5) and is independently subject to the Village's general noise ordinance at Sec. 9-06. Sec. 6-13-31 imposes penalties under the Sec. 1-1-13 forfeiture and bond schedule of the Village Municipal Court, and Sec. 6-13-31(B) preserves all 'remedies of injunction, abatement or costs.' Three or more nuisance-activity enforcement actions in a 12-month period make the property a Chronic Nuisance Premises under Sec. 11-1-26 and a basis for license revocation by the Village Board under Sec. 6-13-30(B)(3). Sec. 11-1-26(H)-(I) sets forfeitures of $1.00 to $1,000.00 for a first offense and $200.00 to $2,000.00 for a subsequent offense within 24 months, and Sec. 11-1-26(F) authorizes the Chief of Public Safety to assess the cost of police response as a special charge after the third nuisance call.

Parking Rules

Sec. 6-13-27(A)(3) of the Ashwaubenon Municipal Code sets the off-street parking standard for short-term rentals: 'Not less than one (1) onsite off-street parking spaces for every four (4) occupants based upon maximum occupancy.' Sec. 6-13-24(B)(6) requires every STR license application to include a 'Site plan including available onsite parking,' and Sec. 6-13-22(C)(4) provides that 'No vehicular traffic shall be generated that is greater than normally expected in the residential neighborhood.' Sec. 6-13-22(C)(8) prohibits any 'recreational vehicles (RVs), camper, tent, or other temporary lodging arrangement' on site as additional accommodations for paying guests. Maximum occupancy is set under Sec. 6-13-27(A)(2) at 150 sq ft of habitable floor space for the first occupant plus 100 sq ft for each additional occupant, which drives the required parking count.

Key details: Requirements: Sec. 6-13-27(A)(3) requires 1 onsite off-street parking space per 4 occupants at. Requirements: Sec. 6-13-24(B)(6) requires the application to include a site plan showing onsite. Sec. 6-13-27(A)(2): Sec. 6-13-27(A)(2) caps occupancy at 150 sq ft for the first occupant. Two-person maximum: Two-person maximum on any premises without a separate enclosed bedroom (Sec. 6-13-27(A)(2)). Hours/Times: Sec. 6-13-22(C)(8) bans RVs, campers, and tents as additional on-site guest lodging.

Operating an STR with fewer than the off-street parking spaces required by Sec. 6-13-27(A)(3) at the licensed maximum occupancy, or with on-site RVs, campers, or tents serving as additional guest lodging in violation of Sec. 6-13-22(C)(8), is a violation of Article 13. Sec. 6-13-31 imposes penalties under Sec. 1-1-13 and the Village Municipal Court bond schedule and preserves all remedies of injunction, abatement, and costs. Sec. 6-13-30(B) allows the Village Board to revoke an STR license for failure to comply with annual inspection (Sec. 6-13-30(B)(4)), failure to maintain required licensing (Sec. 6-13-30(B)(5)), or three or more nuisance-related enforcement actions in 12 months under Sec. 11-1-26.

Permit Requirements

Ashwaubenon sees short-term rental demand driven by Packers game weekends and Resch Center events. Wisconsin room tax must be collected. Properties near Lambeau Field command premium rates during football season.

Key details: Registration: State DATCP required. Room Tax: WI state plus local. Peak: Packers game weekends. Events: Resch Center drives demand.

Operating without license: $200 to $1,000/day varies by city. DATCP violations: separate enforcement. Safety violations: correction notice.

The Bottom Line

Ashwaubenon's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Ashwaubenon is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Ashwaubenon's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.