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Rock County, WI Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Rock County, WI, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

County registry
None countywide
State registration
DATCP TRH license
Clerk notice
Required if days are capped
Notice timing
At first rental of 365 days
Local rules
Set by city/village/town

Summary

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.

City-specific rules exist: Milton has its own short-term rental permits rules that differ from Rock County's county-level regulations. If you live in Milton, check the city-specific page instead.

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.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Rock County does not run a countywide STR registry. State registration is the DATCP tourist rooming house license under Wis. Stat. 97.01(15k). Where a subdivision limits rental days (rentals of more than 6 but fewer than 30 consecutive days), Wis. Stat. 66.1014(2)(d)1. requires the operator to notify the clerk of the political subdivision in writing when the first rental within a 365-day period begins. Cities like Janesville and Beloit may add their own registration or licensing steps; check with the municipal clerk or, for unincorporated town parcels, Rock County Planning & Zoning.

Violations & Fines

Failure to hold the DATCP license or file a required local notice can trigger state enforcement and local citations under the applicable municipal ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Rock County short-term rental registry?
No countywide registry. Registration is through the state DATCP tourist rooming house license, plus any registration your individual city, village, or town requires by ordinance.
When must I notify the local clerk?
If your subdivision caps rental days, Wis. Stat. 66.1014 requires written notice to the clerk when the first rental within a 365-day period begins.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Rock County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsNight CapsSome RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesSome Restrictions

All Rock County rules

How Rock County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Rock County to another location·View the Wisconsin short-term rentals overview

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Short-Term Rental Permits in Cities Across Rock County

Beloit, WIMilton, WI