Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Wausau, WI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Wausau, WI, but with restrictions. The City of Wausau’s residential rental registration applies only to dwelling units with lease terms of 30 days or greater. Marathon County classifies short-term platform rentals (Airbnb/VRBO/HomeAway) as 'tourist rooming houses' and requires these establishments to be permitted and inspected annually to ensure health and safety; licensed units must display the license and include the license ID in online advertising. 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.

The City of Wausau’s residential rental registration applies only to dwelling units with lease terms of 30 days or greater. Marathon County classifies short-term platform rentals (Airbnb/VRBO/HomeAway) as 'tourist rooming houses' and requires these establishments to be permitted and inspected annually to ensure health and safety; licensed units must display the license and include the license ID in online advertising.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Wausau. 1) Contact the Marathon County Health Department Environmental Health (715-261-1900) to discuss the Tourist Rooming House permit process; 2) Schedule and pass an annual health and safety inspection covering items like bedding, room size, and sanitation; 3) Obtain the license, post it conspicuously at the property, and include the permit ID in all online advertisements.

1) Contact the Marathon County Health Department Environmental Health (715-261-1900) to discuss the Tourist Rooming House permit process; 2) Schedule and pass an annual health and safety inspection covering items like bedding, room size, and sanitation; 3) Obtain the license, post it conspicuously at the property, and include the permit ID in all online advertisements.

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