Short-Term Rentals in Portage County, WI (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Portage County, Wisconsin.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Every hotel, motel, tourist rooming house and bed and breakfast in Portage County must hold a permit from the Health and Human Services Department before opening. Sec. 4.3.5 gives most permits a June 30 expiration each year, but bed and breakfasts get a biennial permit good for two years.
Portage County Lodging Permit Required
Some RestrictionsPortage County Code § 4.3.5
No person shall operate a hotel, motel, tourist rooming house or bed and breakfast establishment without first obtaining a permit from the Department. Such permits shall expire on June 30 except that permits initially issued during the period beginning on April 1 and ending on June 30 expire on June 30 of the following year. Bed and breakfast establishments shall receive a biennial permit.
Occupancy Limits
A Portage County bed and breakfast can rent to no more than 20 tourists or transients across no more than eight guest rooms at a time. Sec. 4.3.3(1) also requires the owner to live on-site, serve only breakfast to renters, and operate out of what was originally a single-family residence.
Portage County Bed & Breakfast Occupancy Cap
Some RestrictionsPortage County Code § 4.3.3(1)
(1)Bed and breakfast establishment means any place of lodging that:(a)Provides eight or fewer rooms for rent to no more than a total of 20 tourists or transients;(b)Provides no meals other than breakfast and provides the breakfast only to renters of the place;(c)Is the owner's personal residence;(d)Is occupied by the owner at the time of rental;
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