Little Chute's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Little Chute, Wisconsin, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Taxes & Fees

Wisconsin state room tax is 5% (WI Stat. §77.98). Little Chute 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

The Village of Little Chute has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental licensing chapter in its published Code of Ordinances. Short-term rentals operating in Little Chute are therefore governed by the Wisconsin 'right to rent' statute, Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014, together with the Village's general public-nuisance provisions in Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances and the offenses provisions in Chapter 30. Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014(2)(a) preempts local prohibition of residential rentals of 7 consecutive days or longer but expressly preserves municipal authority to enforce noise, nuisance and other local regulations against rental operators and their guests. Tourist rooming houses are also licensed at the state level by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) under Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72.

Key details: Local Ordinance: No dedicated STR ordinance found in Little Chute's published Code of Ordinances. Long-Term Rentals: Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014(2)(a) protects rentals of 7 consecutive days or longer. Short-Term Rentals: Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014(2)(d) lets villages cap rentals under 7 days at 180 days/year. Nuisance Rules: Chapter 28 Nuisances and Chapter 30 Offenses apply Village-wide to STR guests. State License: Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 72 / Wis. Stat. Sec. 97.605 require a state Tourist Rooming House license.

Noise complaints at a Little Chute short-term rental are enforced by the Fox Valley Metro Police Department under the Village's Chapter 28 Nuisance and Chapter 30 Offenses provisions. Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014 does not bar the Village from issuing a citation, abating a nuisance, or pursuing the host or guest for repeated disturbances. The state Tourist Rooming House license issued by DATCP under Wis. Stat. Sec. 97.605 may be suspended or revoked on complaint after inspection. Because Little Chute has no dedicated STR licensing scheme, there is no separate village license to revoke, but Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.0413(1) and Sec. 823.02 separately authorize abatement of a public nuisance by the Village.

Parking Rules

The Village of Little Chute has no dedicated short-term rental parking ordinance, so STR guests are subject to the same Village-wide parking rules as residents. The Village's published Overnight Parking policy prohibits parking on any Village street or in any Village-owned lot from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. between December 1 and April 1 each year. Residents and guests may request overnight parking permission through the Fox Valley Metro Police Department's online form, with each residence generally receiving up to seven (7) requests per winter season. Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014(2)(b) allows Little Chute to enforce this and other parking rules against STR guests because the right-to-rent statute preserves local parking authority.

Key details: Hours: 2:00 a.m.. Up to 7: Up to 7 overnight parking requests per residence per winter season via. Permission automatically void: Permission automatically void during inclement weather and snow events. Citations issued by: Citations issued by Fox Valley Metro Police Department, (920) 788-7505. Citations payable cash/check/money: Citations payable cash/check/money order only at 200 W. McKinley Avenue.

Overnight parking violations during the December 1 to April 1 window are issued by the Fox Valley Metro Police Department under the Village's general parking authority. Citations are issued under the Village Municipal Court bond schedule and are payable in cash, personal check, or money order at the FVMPD office at 200 W. McKinley Avenue or in the after-hours drop box. The Village's policy makes clear that 'insufficient driveway space does not qualify as a legitimate reason for consistent winter parking on roads,' so repeat overnight requests for STR guest cars can be denied. Repeated nuisance-related parking complaints can also be addressed under Chapter 28 of the Village Code and through Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.0413 abatement.

Permit Requirements

Little Chute 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 Little Chute 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

Little Chute'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 Little Chute is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Little Chute's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.