Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Balsam Lake, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Balsam Lake, WI, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (Tourist Rooming Houses) require a minimum 7-day stay and are limited to 180 days per year. Requirements include a 24-hour local contact, quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., designated off-street parking on impervious surfaces, and a maximum of 4 sleeping rooms. Accessory buildings and RVs cannot be used for guest sleeping accommodations. 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 (Tourist Rooming Houses) require a minimum 7-day stay and are limited to 180 days per year. Requirements include a 24-hour local contact, quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., designated off-street parking on impervious surfaces, and a maximum of 4 sleeping rooms. Accessory buildings and RVs cannot be used for guest sleeping accommodations.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Balsam Lake. 1. Apply for a Land Use Permit via the Polk County Ascent Permit Management Suite and obtain a lodging license from Polk County Health. 2. Hire a local building inspector to determine the number of legal bedrooms and have the septic system inspected/approved. 3. Pay the required permit fees and ensure the property boundary is surveyed and staked by a professional.

1. Apply for a Land Use Permit via the Polk County Ascent Permit Management Suite and obtain a lodging license from Polk County Health. 2. Hire a local building inspector to determine the number of legal bedrooms and have the septic system inspected/approved. 3. Pay the required permit fees and ensure the property boundary is surveyed and staked by a professional.

Vrbo is permitted in Balsam Lake, 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 Balsam Lake 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 Balsam Lake. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.