Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Buffalo County, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Buffalo County, WI, but with restrictions. Tourist Rooming Houses are limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests and must be spaced at least 1,000 feet apart unless a Conditional Use Permit is granted. Bed and Breakfasts are limited to 6 rooms/12 guests for stays under 31 days. Both require proof of insurance, compliance with state fire/safety codes (SPS 362), and on-site parking limited to the number of bedrooms. 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.

Tourist Rooming Houses are limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests and must be spaced at least 1,000 feet apart unless a Conditional Use Permit is granted. Bed and Breakfasts are limited to 6 rooms/12 guests for stays under 31 days. Both require proof of insurance, compliance with state fire/safety codes (SPS 362), and on-site parking limited to the number of bedrooms.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Buffalo County. 1. Apply for a Zoning Permit from the Buffalo County Zoning department (Bed and Breakfasts require a Conditional Use Permit in specific districts). 2. Submit a license application for lodging establishments to the Buffalo County Department of Health & Human Services. 3. Pass a health and safety inspection and provide proof of insurance and compliance with Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 362.

1. Apply for a Zoning Permit from the Buffalo County Zoning department (Bed and Breakfasts require a Conditional Use Permit in specific districts). 2. Submit a license application for lodging establishments to the Buffalo County Department of Health & Human Services. 3. Pass a health and safety inspection and provide proof of insurance and compliance with Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter SPS 362.

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