Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Sturgeon Bay, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Sturgeon Bay, WI, but with restrictions. Tourist Rooming Houses (STRs) are dwelling units rented for less than 30 days. Owners must reside within a 90-minute driving distance of the rental or provide a valid contract with a local management company. Operators must maintain proof of insurance and hold both a Wisconsin DATCP license and a Door County Tourism Zone permit. 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 (STRs) are dwelling units rented for less than 30 days. Owners must reside within a 90-minute driving distance of the rental or provide a valid contract with a local management company. Operators must maintain proof of insurance and hold both a Wisconsin DATCP license and a Door County Tourism Zone permit.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Sturgeon Bay. 1) Obtain a Door County Tourism Zone Commission transient rental permit via their portal. 2) Submit the City of Sturgeon Bay Tourist Rooming House License Application with a $100 fee, proof of insurance, and state DATCP license. 3) Undergo city staff review (Clerk, Police, Fire, Community Development) for issuance; licenses expire annually on June 30.

1) Obtain a Door County Tourism Zone Commission transient rental permit via their portal. 2) Submit the City of Sturgeon Bay Tourist Rooming House License Application with a $100 fee, proof of insurance, and state DATCP license. 3) Undergo city staff review (Clerk, Police, Fire, Community Development) for issuance; licenses expire annually on June 30.

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