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

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

Taxes & Fees

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

Parking Rules

Rothschild has no STR-specific parking schedule. STR hosts and guests must instead comply with the parking rules in Chapter 535 (Vehicles and Traffic) and the off-street parking rules in Chapter 590 Article VI (Zoning – Development Standards). The Village's winter night-parking ban prohibits parking 'any vehicle on any public street or highway in the Village of Rothschild between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. during the months of November 1 through April 1' (subject to the emergency exceptions in Wis. Stat. § 346.50). On the rental lot itself, parking is prohibited 'at any time in the front yard of the livable portion of the residence,' and any guest vehicles must use the driveway or an off-driveway location on the opposite side of the residence. Residential access drives must be at least 12 feet wide for one- and two-family dwellings (18 feet for multifamily) and no more than 25 feet wide at the right-of-way.

Key details: Winter Night-Parking Ban: 2:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m., Nov 1 – Apr 1. State Exception: Wis. Stat. § 346.50 (emergencies). Front-Yard Parking: Prohibited at any time. Driveway Width – 1- or 2-family: 12 ft minimum. Driveway Width – Multifamily: 18 ft minimum.

Parking on a public street or highway in the Village between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. during November 1 through April 1 (outside the Wis. Stat. § 346.50 emergency exceptions) is a violation of Chapter 535 enforced by the Village Police Department through citations issued under the Marathon County Bond Schedule. Parking in the front yard of the residence at any time is a violation of the residential parking provision and may be cited as a zoning violation under Chapter 590 Article XX (Penalties) as well. Storing recreational equipment or trailers in the front yard is a separate Article VI violation enforceable by the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator. Repeated violations may also be referred to the Village Attorney for nuisance abatement.

Noise Rules

The Village of Rothschild has not adopted a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance. Under Wis. Stat. § 66.1014 (Wisconsin's Right-to-Rent statute), the Village cannot prohibit residential rentals of 7 or more consecutive days, but it retains authority to enforce its general noise rules against STR operators and their guests. Those rules sit in Chapter 290 (Peace and Good Order) of the Village Code, which makes it unlawful 'to create or assist in creating any unreasonably loud and disturbing noise in the Village of Rothschild.' In residential zones, a noise is presumed unreasonably loud and raucous if it is plainly audible inside a residence and measures 85 dB(A) or more at the complainant's property line. Construction equipment is restricted to the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in all zones. Marathon County has no county-wide STR licensing for incorporated villages, but every Wisconsin STR rented more than 10 nights a year must hold a Tourist Rooming House license from DATCP under Wis. Stat. ch. 97.

Key details: Local Noise Rule: Ch. 290 Peace and Good Order. Residential Threshold: 85 dB(A) at complainant's property line. Audibility Test: Plainly audible within a residence. Construction Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (all zones). Defined Quiet Hours: None set by clock time in residential zones.

Generating 'unreasonably loud and disturbing noise,' or in a residential zone any unreasonably loud and raucous noise that is plainly audible inside a residence and measures 85 dB(A) or more at the complainant's property line, is a violation of Chapter 290 (Peace and Good Order). Operating construction equipment outside 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. is a separate violation. The Village Police Department and Code Enforcement may issue citations, with forfeitures imposed under the Village's general penalty provisions, and chronic disturbances may be abated as a public nuisance by the Village Attorney. Hosting an STR without the required DATCP Tourist Rooming House license under Wis. Stat. ch. 97 (when renting more than 10 nights per year) is enforceable separately by the State.

Permit Requirements

Rothschild 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 Rothschild 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

Rothschild'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 Rothschild is broadly strict or permissive.

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