Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Monroe County, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Monroe County, WI, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are regulated as Tourist Rooming Houses (TRH) and limited to 4 units/rooms per license; rentals of 5 or more units require a hotel license. Operators must pass an initial and annual health department inspection and are advised to verify additional local municipal zoning or land use restrictions. 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 (TRH) and limited to 4 units/rooms per license; rentals of 5 or more units require a hotel license. Operators must pass an initial and annual health department inspection and are advised to verify additional local municipal zoning or land use restrictions.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Monroe County. 1. Submit a completed 'License Application – Lodging and Recreational Facilities' along with the required fees (e.g., $533 for a 1-4 room Tourist Rooming House) to the Monroe County Health Department. 2. Schedule and pass a pre-licensing inspection by the Health Department; operation is prohibited until this inspection is completed. 3. Wait for application approval or denial, which typically occurs within 30 business days of receiving a complete application.

1. Submit a completed 'License Application – Lodging and Recreational Facilities' along with the required fees (e.g., $533 for a 1-4 room Tourist Rooming House) to the Monroe County Health Department. 2. Schedule and pass a pre-licensing inspection by the Health Department; operation is prohibited until this inspection is completed. 3. Wait for application approval or denial, which typically occurs within 30 business days of receiving a complete application.

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