Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Polk County, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Polk County, WI, but with restrictions. Rentals are limited to a maximum of 180 days per year with a minimum stay of 7 consecutive days. Operators must provide a 24-hour contact number, enforce quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and ensure all parking is on impervious surfaces within the property. 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.

Rentals are limited to a maximum of 180 days per year with a minimum stay of 7 consecutive days. Operators must provide a 24-hour contact number, enforce quiet hours from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and ensure all parking is on impervious surfaces within the property. Accessory buildings and RVs cannot be used for guest sleeping accommodations.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Polk County. 1. Obtain a lodging license from the Polk County Health Department. 2. Apply for a Tourist Rooming House Land Use Permit from the Division of Zoning, which requires a septic system inspection and a building inspection by a local uniform building inspector to determine legal bedroom count. 3. Ensure property boundaries are surveyed and staked by a professional land surveyor before final approval.

1. Obtain a lodging license from the Polk County Health Department. 2. Apply for a Tourist Rooming House Land Use Permit from the Division of Zoning, which requires a septic system inspection and a building inspection by a local uniform building inspector to determine legal bedroom count. 3. Ensure property boundaries are surveyed and staked by a professional land surveyor before final approval.

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