Short-Term Rentals in Rock County, WI (2026)

4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Rock County, Wisconsin.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Rock County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Registration is handled by the state, not Rock County. Operators get a DATCP tourist rooming house license, and if a town caps rental days they must notify the local clerk in writing when the first rental of a 365-day period begins.

Registering a Short-Term Rental in Rock County, WI

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. 66.1014(2)(d)1.

A person who rents the person's residential dwelling shall notify the clerk of the political subdivision in writing when the first rental within a 365-day period begins.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Wisconsin room tax is municipal, not county. Rock County levies no countywide room tax; a city, village, or town room tax (up to 8%) may apply, plus Wisconsin sales tax on lodging under one month. Confirm the rate with your municipality.

Short-Term Rental Taxes in Rock County, WI

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. 66.0615(1m)(a)

A tax imposed under this paragraph by a municipality may not exceed 8 percent of the sales price.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Rock County sets no night cap. Wisconsin lets a city, village, or town cap rentals of more than 6 but fewer than 30 consecutive days at no fewer than 180 days per year, and those days may be required to run consecutively.

Short-Term Rental Night Caps in Rock County, WI

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. 66.1014(2)(d)1.

The political subdivision may not specify the period of time during which the residential dwelling may be rented, but the political subdivision may require that the maximum number of allowable rental days within a 365-day period must run consecutively.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Rock County imposes no primary-residence requirement for short-term rentals. Wisconsin's Right to Rent law limits how far any subdivision can restrict rentals, though local day caps may effectively favor part-year, owner-occupied use.

Primary-Residence Rules for Rentals in Rock County, WI

Some Restrictions

Wis. Stat. 66.1014(2)(d)1.

If a residential dwelling is rented for periods of more than 6 but fewer than 30 consecutive days, a political subdivision may limit the total number of days within any consecutive 365-day period that the dwelling may be rented to no fewer than 180 days.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Rock County

1 cities in Rock County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

MiltonPop. 5,716

3 verified rules • Occupancy Limits, Short-Term Rental Permits

All Rock County ordinances

See every category we cover for Rock County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Rock County Ordinance Hub →