Wisconsin Short-Term Rental Permit and Licensing Rules

Under Wis. Stat. § 97.01(15k) and § 97.605, anyone offering a residential dwelling to transients for periods shorter than 30 days must obtain a tourist rooming house license from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection or an authorized agent county. Wis. Stat. § 66.1014 preempts municipalities from prohibiting rentals of seven consecutive days or longer; localities may require a permit and impose reasonable health, safety, and tax conditions but cannot ban such rentals outright. Local registration of one-to-six-day rentals remains permissible. Hosts must also register with the Department of Revenue for sales and room tax collection.

Operating without a tourist rooming house license is a forfeiture under Wis. Stat. § 97.72; municipal violations may add daily fines.