Appleton, WI Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Appleton, WI, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- License
- WI Tourist Rooming House
- Lawrence U
- Event demand
- Fox Valley
- Regional tourism
- Safety
- Inspection required
Summary
Appleton regulates STRs with licensing requirements. Lawrence University events and Fox Valley tourism drive demand. Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license required for STR operators.
66.1014(2)(a) (a) Subject to par. (d) , a political subdivision may not enact or enforce an ordinance that prohibits the rental of a residential dwelling for 7 consecutive days or longer. 66.1014(2)(b) (b) If a political subdivision has in effect on September 23, 2017, an ordinance that is inconsistent with par. (a) or (d) , the ordinance does not apply and may not be enforced. 66.1014(2)(c) (c) Nothing in this subsection limits the authority of a political subdivision to enact an ordinance regulating the rental of a residential dwelling in a manner that is not inconsistent with the provisions of pars. (a) and (d) . 66.1014(2)(d) (d) 66.1014(2)(d)1. 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. 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. 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. 66.1014(2)(d)2. 2. Any person who maintains, manages, or operates a short-term rental, as defined in s. 66.0615 (1) (dk) , for more than 10 nights each year, shall do all of the following: 66.1014(2)(d)2.a. a. Obtain from the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection a license as a tourist rooming house, as defined in s. 97.01 (15k) . 66.1014(2)(d)2.b. b. Obtain from a political subdivision a license for conducting such activities, if a political subdivision enacts an ordinance requiring such a person to obtain a license.
Full Breakdown
Appleton regulates short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) through local ordinance. Wisconsin Act 59 (2017) / WI Stat. §66.1014 prohibits cities from banning STRs outright in residential zones. Cities can still require licensing, health/safety inspections, noise controls, and parking plans. DATCP tourist rooming house licensing may also be required. Safety requirements include smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and posted emergency information.
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Appleton
How Appleton compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Appleton to another location·View the Wisconsin short-term rentals overview
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