Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Lincoln County, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Lincoln County, WI, but with restrictions. Rentals are limited to 2-29 consecutive nights; stays under 2 nights are prohibited. Occupancy is capped by the State tourist rooming house license or POWTS design capacity, whichever is less. A resident agent within 50 miles is required, and a minimum of two off-street parking spaces must be provided. 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.

Rentals are limited to 2-29 consecutive nights; stays under 2 nights are prohibited. Occupancy is capped by the State tourist rooming house license or POWTS design capacity, whichever is less. A resident agent within 50 miles is required, and a minimum of two off-street parking spaces must be provided.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Lincoln County. Submit a completed Short-Term Rental Permit application to the Zoning Department with a floor plan, site plan, rental rules, and proof of adequate sanitation (POWTS permit). Applicants must also provide proof of application for a Lincoln County Health Department license and pay the required fee ($250 for new, $150 for renewal). Permits are typically issued within 30 days and must be renewed annually.

Submit a completed Short-Term Rental Permit application to the Zoning Department with a floor plan, site plan, rental rules, and proof of adequate sanitation (POWTS permit). Applicants must also provide proof of application for a Lincoln County Health Department license and pay the required fee ($250 for new, $150 for renewal). Permits are typically issued within 30 days and must be renewed annually.

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