Short-Term Rentals in Green Bay, WI: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Green Bay or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Green Bay has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Parking Rules

Short-term rentals in Green Bay must comply with the citywide overnight parking ban from 3:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. under Section 40-29(I) of the Green Bay Municipal Code. Section 44-1580(j)(1)(c) requires every STR lease to include language requiring guests to comply with Green Bay parking ordinances. Wisconsin Statute 66.1014 preserves local parking authority even though it caps how restrictively Green Bay can regulate the rental itself.

Key details: Overnight Ban: 3am-5am. Code Section: Sec. 40-29(I). Permission Line: (920) 448-3438. Request Deadline: Before 2am. STR Penalty: Up to $500.

Overnight parking citations are issued by the Green Bay Police Department under Chapter 40-29(I) following the schedule of deposits in the Green Bay Parking Ordinance Fines schedule. STR-specific parking violations are enforceable under Section 44-1580(j)(12), which authorizes a forfeiture not exceeding $500 per violation including court costs and may trigger STRP suspension or revocation. Section 44-1580(j)(9) also lets the Community and Economic Development Director or Plan Commission review a STRP at any time for repeated parking complaints.

Noise Rules

Short-term rentals in Green Bay must comply with Section 27.203 of the Green Bay Municipal Code, which prohibits unreasonably loud noise and treats any A-weighted sound exceeding 80 dB(A) measured from neighboring property as presumptively unreasonable. Daytime hours run 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and nighttime hours run 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Section 44-1580(j)(12) makes a tenant noise disturbance an STR permit violation enforceable against the host.

Key details: Code Section: Sec. 27.203. Decibel Limit: 80 dB(A). Daytime: 7am-10pm. Nighttime: 10pm-7am. STR Penalty: Up to $500.

Section 27.203(6) sets a forfeiture of not more than $200 for each unreasonable-noise violation, enforced by the Green Bay Police Department. Section 44-1580(j)(12) separately authorizes a forfeiture up to $500 per STR violation including court costs and may result in suspension or revocation of the Short-Term Rental Permit (STRP). Section 44-1580(j)(9) also authorizes the Community and Economic Development Director or Plan Commission to review a STRP at any time for non-compliance.

Taxes & Fees

Wisconsin state room tax is 5% (WI Stat. §77.98). Green Bay 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.

Permit Requirements

Green Bay 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 Green Bay 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

Green Bay'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 Green Bay is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Green Bay 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.