Short-Term Rental Permit

Required for renting a dwelling or portion of a dwelling for periods shorter than 29 consecutive days in Wisconsin. Wisconsin regulates short-term rentals (vacation rentals, Airbnb, VRBO) under ATCP 72. DATCP licenses tourist rooming houses statewide, and many municipalities have added their own permitting requirements, occupancy limits, and zoning restrictions in response to the growth of short-term rental platforms.

Verified 2026-02-01

Typical Fee Range

$50–$500

annual

Typical Timeline

2–6 weeks (includes inspections)

From application to approval

Inspection Required

Yes

One or more inspections required

Jurisdiction Level

Municipal

Issuing authority level

When Is a Short-Term Rental Permit Required?

Renting a home or room on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms
Operating a vacation rental for stays under 29 days
Tourist rooming house operation

When Is a Short-Term Rental Permit NOT Required?

Renting for 29+ consecutive days (traditional rental, not regulated as tourist rooming house)
Hosting friends and family without compensation

Related Permits You May Also Need

General Business License

Required for operating most types of businesses within a Wisconsin municipality. The general business license (sometimes called a business registration or business tax certificate) ensures that the business complies with local zoning, building, fire, and health codes. Requirements and fees vary by municipality — not all Wisconsin cities require a general business license.

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Occupancy Permit

Required before occupying a newly constructed or substantially renovated building in Wisconsin. Also known as a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), this permit confirms that the building has passed all required inspections and complies with the applicable building codes, zoning ordinances, and fire safety requirements. A temporary occupancy permit may be issued while minor punch-list items are completed.

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Home Occupation Permit

Required for operating a business from a residential property in Wisconsin. Most municipalities allow home occupations under certain conditions — typically limiting the percentage of the home used for business, restricting signage, prohibiting employees and walk-in customers, and requiring that the residential character of the property is maintained. Some home occupations are permitted by right; others require a conditional use permit.

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Required Licenses

The following professional licenses may be required to obtain or work under this permit type in Wisconsin.

DATCP Tourist Rooming House license

Short-Term Rental Permit Fees by Municipality

Fee and processing time data for short-term rental permit permits across Wisconsin municipalities. Click any jurisdiction for complete details including application links and requirements.

Jurisdiction	Fee	Processing Time	Status
City of Milwaukee	$125/yr	2-4 weeks	Current
City of Madison	$200/yr	3-6 weeks	Current
City of Green Bay	$100/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Racine	$75/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Appleton	$75/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Waukesha	$100/yr	2-4 weeks	Current
City of West Allis	$79/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of La Crosse	$64/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Sheboygan	$60/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Wauwatosa	$83/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Fond du Lac	$59/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Brookfield	$90/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of New Berlin	$83/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Beloit	$53/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Greenfield	$79/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Franklin	$81/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Oak Creek	$79/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Manitowoc	$54/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of West Bend	$64/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Sun Prairie	$71/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Fitchburg	$71/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Stevens Point	$54/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Neenah	$60/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Muskego	$79/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
Village of Menomonee Falls	$83/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Mequon	$94/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
Village of Pleasant Prairie	$75/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Marshfield	$53/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Wisconsin Rapids	$51/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Superior	$49/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of De Pere	$64/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Menasha	$59/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Beaver Dam	$51/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Watertown	$54/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Two Rivers	$49/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
Village of Grafton	$68/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Hartford	$56/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Baraboo	$49/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of Platteville	$44/yr	2-3 weeks	Current
City of River Falls	$54/yr	2-3 weeks	Current

Data note: Fees are sourced from official municipal fee schedules and verified periodically. Actual fees may vary based on project valuation and scope. Click any jurisdiction for the most current data and direct application links.

Frequently Asked Questions — Short-Term Rental Permit

Do I need a license to rent my home on Airbnb in Wisconsin?

Yes. Wisconsin requires a Tourist Rooming House license from DATCP for any rental of less than 29 consecutive days. You must pass a DATCP health and safety inspection, obtain appropriate insurance, and comply with fire and building codes. Many municipalities also require a local short-term rental permit and may impose additional restrictions.

Can my city ban short-term rentals in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin's 2017 Act 59 limited municipalities' ability to outright ban short-term rentals. Municipalities can regulate them (licensing, inspections, occupancy limits, parking) but cannot prohibit licensed tourist rooming houses entirely. However, zoning restrictions on short-term rentals in certain districts may still apply, and the law continues to be tested in courts.

How much does an Airbnb license cost in Wisconsin?

The DATCP Tourist Rooming House license costs approximately $75–$145 per year depending on the number of rooms. Municipal permits add another $50–$500 annually. You also need appropriate liability insurance, fire extinguishers, smoke and CO detectors, and may need to collect and remit local room tax.

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