How De Pere Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide
De Pere 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 De Pere falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Taxes & Fees
Wisconsin state room tax is 5% (WI Stat. §77.98). De Pere 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
De Pere short-term rental operators must comply with Chapter 146 (Noise Ordinance), which sets daytime hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and treats 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. as nighttime. The 2024 rewrite (Ordinance 24-03) regulates noise based on lot-line A-weighted decibel limits by zone category, with stricter limits applying when sound crosses into a residential zone. STR licensure is conditioned on compliance with all local nuisance and noise rules.
Key details: Code: Chapter 146 (Noise). Enabling Ordinance: 24-03 (2024). Daytime Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.. Nighttime Hours: 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.. State Preemption: Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014.
Sound from a short-term rental that exceeds the Chapter 146 lot-line dB(A) limits, or amplified sound, parties, and powered equipment during the 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. nighttime window, violates Chapter 146 and is enforced by the De Pere Police Department. Section 146 violations carry municipal forfeitures plus court costs, with each day a continuing violation. Documented noise complaints against a licensed tourist rooming house can support non-renewal of the city STR application or the De Pere Health Department TRH license at the next July 1 cycle.
Parking Rules
De Pere short-term rentals are governed by Chapter 14 (Zoning Ordinance) parking standards, which require two off-street parking spaces per single-family or two-family dwelling unit. STRs in R1 and R2 districts may not offer more than one rental stay in 7 consecutive days, and STRs in MX1, MX2, and MX3 districts must be located above the first floor. All off-street parking surfaces must be hard-surfaced with concrete, asphalt, or brick.
Key details: Code: Chapter 14 (Zoning). Effective Date: January 1, 2023. Off-Street Spaces: 2 per dwelling unit. R1/R2 Stay Rule: 1 stay per 7 days. Surface Required: Concrete, asphalt, or brick.
Operating an STR without the two required off-street parking spaces, on an unpaved surface, or in a location that violates the R1/R2 7-day stay rule or the MX1-MX3 above-first-floor rule violates Chapter 14 and can prevent issuance or renewal of the Development Services STR application or the De Pere Health Department TRH license. Enforcement by the Planning & Zoning Division and Building Inspection Department under Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23 may include stop-work orders, citations, daily forfeitures, and orders to bring the property into compliance.
Permit Requirements
De Pere regulates but cannot ban STRs under WI Act 59 (2017). DATCP tourist rooming house license may be required. WI Stat. §66.1014.
Key details: Licensing: Check De Pere rules. Bans: Prohibited by WI Act 59. DATCP: Tourist rooming house license. State Law: WI Stat. §66.1014.
Operating without license: $200 to $1,000/day varies by city. DATCP violations: separate enforcement. Safety violations: correction notice.
The Bottom Line
De Pere'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 De Pere is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that De Pere can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.