Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Butternut, WI

Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are allowed in Butternut, WI, but operators must obtain a permit before listing. Short-term rentals are regulated as Tourist Rooming Houses (TRH) or Lodging establishments depending on the number of rooms (TRH for 1-4 rooms). All establishments must pass a mandatory pre-inspection before a license is issued, and licenses are non-transferable between persons or locations. "Airbnb" is a brand name; the rules on this page apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.). 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 (TRH) or Lodging establishments depending on the number of rooms (TRH for 1-4 rooms). All establishments must pass a mandatory pre-inspection before a license is issued, and licenses are non-transferable between persons or locations.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Butternut. 1. Submit a completed Tourist Rooming House & Bed & Breakfast Application to Ashland County Health & Human Services. 2. Pay the required fees (e.g., $455 for a TRH with 1-4 rooms, including a $300 pre-inspection fee). 3. Schedule and pass a mandatory pre-inspection before the license is issued.

1. Submit a completed Tourist Rooming House & Bed & Breakfast Application to Ashland County Health & Human Services. 2. Pay the required fees (e.g., $455 for a TRH with 1-4 rooms, including a $300 pre-inspection fee). 3. Schedule and pass a mandatory pre-inspection before the license is issued.

Yes. Vrbo operates under the same short-term rental rules as Airbnb in Butternut, WI, since regulations apply to the rental activity rather than the booking platform. A permit is required before you list on Vrbo or any other platform. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Butternut 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 Butternut. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.