Short-Term Rentals in Mount Pleasant, WI: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Mount Pleasant 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. Mount Pleasant has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Noise Rules

Mount Pleasant does not maintain a stand-alone short-term rental noise ordinance. Instead, every dwelling used as a short-term rental (called a 'tourist rooming house' under Wis. Stat. Sec. 97.01(15k)) is bound by the general noise standards in Chapter 90 (Zoning), Division 90-450 (Performance Standards), Sec. 90-450.70 of the Mount Pleasant Code. Sec. 90-450.70 prohibits the operation of any motor vehicle or recreational vehicle in such a manner as to create unreasonable or excessive noise, and (in residential and other non-BP/non-M zoning districts) prohibits any activity that produces a sound level outside the property boundary that exceeds the limits in Table 90-450-3. The Village's prior unreasonable-noise ordinance at former Sec. 54-5 was repealed on February 27, 2023 by Ord. No. 8-2023, and noise enforcement was consolidated into Chapter 90. Mount Pleasant Police are authorized to enforce Sec. 90-450.70.

Key details: Noise Rule: Sec. 90-450.70 (Performance Standards - Noise) is the controlling noise rule for STRs. Noise Limits: Table 90-450-3 sets sound-level limits at the property boundary for non-BP/non-M districts. Repeal: Former Sec. 54-5 unreasonable-noise ordinance was repealed by Ord. No. 8-2023 (2-27-2023). Enforcement: Mount Pleasant Police Department enforces Sec. 90-450.70. STR Preemption: Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014 sets the floor for any local STR rule (Mount Pleasant cannot ban STRs).

Sound at the lot line of an STR that exceeds the limits in Table 90-450-3 of Sec. 90-450.70 is a zoning violation. Mount Pleasant Police are authorized to enforce. Penalties for any zoning violation are governed by the Code's general penalty provisions (former Sec. 1-7 / current Chapter 1) plus the standard remedies under Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23(8), including injunction, abatement, and forfeitures. Repeat noise activity can also be cited as a public nuisance under Chapter 62, and chronic problems may cause the Village to refuse to issue or renew the room-tax registration under Chapter 70 or any STR-related approvals. State-licensed Tourist Rooming Houses that generate documented noise complaints may also be reported to DATCP under Wis. Stat. Sec. 97.605 and Wis. Admin. Code Ch. ATCP 72.

Parking Rules

Mount Pleasant does not have a separate STR parking standard. A dwelling used as a short-term rental (a 'tourist rooming house' under Wis. Stat. Sec. 97.01(15k)) must satisfy the same off-street parking requirements that apply to its underlying residential use under Chapter 90 (Zoning), Division 90-340 (Parking and Access) of the Mount Pleasant Code. Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014 prohibits the Village from prohibiting STRs and limits regulation to reasonable health, safety, building, and licensing rules that apply to comparable dwellings; the same statute therefore prevents the Village from imposing parking standards on STRs that exceed those for ordinary one- or two-family dwellings. STR operators must also comply with Chapter 70 Article III (8% room tax) and the state Tourist Rooming House license under Wis. Admin. Code Ch. ATCP 72.

Key details: No Str-specific Parking: No STR-specific parking standard; underlying residential parking standard in Div. 90-340 applies. Wis. Stat. Sec.: Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014 prevents the Village from prohibiting STRs of 7+. Wis. Stat. Sec.: Wis. Stat. Sec. 66.1014(2)(c) limits rental terms to no fewer than 6. Mount Pleasant Police: Mount Pleasant Police enforce on-street parking under Chapter 78 (Traffic and Vehicles). Chapter 70 Article: Chapter 70 Article III imposes an 8% room tax on STR gross.

Operating an STR with insufficient off-street parking for the underlying one- or two-family residential use, or using the front-yard setback or unimproved areas for guest parking in violation of Division 90-340, is a zoning violation. Penalties for zoning violations are imposed under the Code's general penalty provisions plus Wis. Stat. Sec. 62.23(8), which authorizes injunction, abatement, and forfeitures. On-street parking violations are enforced under Chapter 78 (Traffic and Vehicles) by the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Failure to register or remit room tax under Chapter 70 Article III is a separate violation collectable through the Village Treasurer.

Mount Pleasant is more permissive than most cities when it comes to parking rules. That said, there are still limits.

Permit Requirements

Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant 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.

Taxes & Fees

Wisconsin state room tax is 5% (WI Stat. §77.98). Mount Pleasant 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.

The Bottom Line

Mount Pleasant'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 Mount Pleasant is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Mount Pleasant 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.