Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Appleton, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Appleton, WI, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are regulated as 'Tourist Rooming Houses' under Wisconsin law (ATCP 72). Owners must obtain a license from the City Health Department, pass a pre-inspection and annual health inspections, and comply with state and local room tax requirements. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are regulated as 'Tourist Rooming Houses' under Wisconsin law (ATCP 72). Owners must obtain a license from the City Health Department, pass a pre-inspection and annual health inspections, and comply with state and local room tax requirements.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Appleton. 1) Complete the Tourist Rooming House License Application from the Health Department. 2) Schedule and pass a pre-inspection with the Health Department and pay the required fees. 3) Maintain the license through annual renewals (due July 1) and annual health inspections.

1) Complete the Tourist Rooming House License Application from the Health Department. 2) Schedule and pass a pre-inspection with the Health Department and pay the required fees. 3) Maintain the license through annual renewals (due July 1) and annual health inspections.

Vrbo is permitted in Appleton, WI under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Appleton are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Appleton. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.