Note: This analysis uses the documents you provided and focuses on the Town of Beaver Dam, Dodge County. It does not cover the City of Beaver Dam, which is a separate municipality with its own rules.

Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Beaver Dam (Town)?

Explicit answer: Yes, short-term rentals appear allowed under current town law, with conditions.

• Wisconsin state law (2017 Act 124) preserves the right to offer short‑term rentals of fewer than seven days. It also allows municipalities to impose reasonable regulations (e.g., licensing, local taxes, caps), as long as a unit can be rented at least 180 days per year.
• The Town of Beaver Dam’s zoning and building codes do not explicitly prohibit short‑term rentals or “tourist rooming houses.” Short‑term lodging (for fewer than 21 days per stay) is generally regulated at the state level through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) as a Tourist Rooming House.
• If a rental includes more than one family at a time (e.g., separate listings for multiple rooms), you must remain within the town’s occupancy definition: no more than one family per dwelling, where “family” includes up to four unrelated persons living together as a single household.
• Building code requires a certificate of occupancy before any use, and your intended STR use must be consistent with the certificate. New residential construction or significant alterations require permits and inspections, and the unit must pass final inspection before occupancy.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

1. Confirm zoning and use

   • Verify your property’s district in Chapter 62 (Zoning) and permitted/conditional uses. STRs are not listed as a prohibited use in the provided materials.
   • Confirm the proposed number of guests does not exceed the “family” limit in Chapter 10 (up to four unrelated persons, or any number of related persons).

2. Set up state licensing and taxes

   • Obtain a Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license from DATCP if you plan to rent for fewer than 21 days per stay for more than 10 nights per year. This license covers health and safety standards for short‑term lodging.
   • Register for Wisconsin sales and use tax (to collect/remit state sales tax). If your local municipality has a room tax, you must register and remit that as well.

3. Secure insurance

   • Obtain liability coverage appropriate for a lodging operation. Wisconsin law emphasizes proper insurance to protect hosts and guests.

4. Design and inspect to code

   • If your STR involves any construction, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work, obtain required building permits (Chapter 10). Schedule required inspections.
   • Achieve final inspection and receive a certificate of occupancy that clearly states the STR use.

5. Property maintenance and operations

   • Comply with the town’s property and building maintenance code (Chapter 10, Article III and Sec. 10‑12). Maintain exterior appearance, manage trash/litter, control noise, and ensure guest safety. Swimming pool/spa areas must meet Article II requirements (e.g., fencing, setbacks).

6. Taxes and reporting

   • Collect and remit state sales tax and any applicable room tax. Maintain records for inspections and audits.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• State

  • Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license (DATCP) for <21‑day stays, when renting more than 10 nights/year.
  • Wisconsin sales and use tax registration.
  • Any applicable room tax registration with the municipality.

• Town (Town of Beaver Dam)

  • Building permits and inspections per Chapter 10 for any construction or major systems work (electrical, HVAC, plumbing, structural changes).
  • Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy (CO) confirming the STR use (Chapter 10, Sec. 10‑11).
  • Compliance with property maintenance standards (Chapter 10, Sec. 10‑12), including exterior maintenance, trash/litter, and occupancy limits.
  • If a pool or spa is on-site: pool/pond permit and compliance with Article II fencing and electrical requirements.

• Insurance

  • Liability coverage appropriate for tourist rooming.

• Operations

  • Local contact information for guests and neighbors.
  • Clear house rules on occupancy, quiet hours, parking, trash, and use of amenities.
  • Documentation of guest counts to stay within “family” occupancy.

Specific Regulations (Town, County, State)

• Wisconsin (State)

  • 2017 Act 124 preserves the ability to offer short‑term rentals of fewer than seven days; municipalities may regulate but may not prohibit rentals if the unit can be rented at least 180 days per year.
  • DATCP Tourist Rooming House licensing applies when renting for <21 days per stay more than 10 nights per year; the license sets health and safety requirements for lodging.
  • Sales/use tax obligations apply to short‑term rentals; room taxes may also apply at the local level.

• Dodge County (County)

  • The provided materials do not include Dodge County–specific short‑term rental rules. County health regulations may apply (especially if you are served by county health services); confirm with the county health department if needed.

• Town of Beaver Dam (Town)

  • Building and inspections: Building permits are required for many projects; the town is a “Certified Municipality” for plan review and inspection of certain commercial buildings. Residential projects require inspections per the Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code and must receive a CO before occupancy (Chapter 10).
  • Property maintenance: Exterior maintenance, litter control, nuisance abatement, and unsafe building provisions apply to all premises. Violations can lead to orders, stop-work orders, penalties, and abatement costs.
  • Occupancy and “family”: A dwelling may be occupied by no more than one “family,” defined to include a group of up to four unrelated persons living together as a single household (Chapter 10).
  • Mixed occupancy: Buildings may contain one or more dwelling units and also be used as a hotel (Chapter 10, definitions).
  • Pools/spas: Permits required; fencing, setbacks, electrical, and operational rules apply.

• Zoning (Chapter 62)

  • Zoning districts and allowed uses govern what activities are permitted on a parcel. STRs are not expressly defined in the provided excerpts; ensure your use is consistent with the property’s district and any conditions that may apply (e.g., conditional uses).

Contact Information (Where Available)

• Town of Beaver Dam (Town Hall/Building Department)

  • Phone: (920) 887‑8176
  • Website: www.townofbeaverdam.org
  • Address: N7145 County Road M, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
  • Note: For permits and certificates of occupancy, work with the Land Use Administrator and/or Building Inspector per Chapter 10.

• Wisconsin DATCP (Tourist Rooming House licensing)

  • DATCP general phone: (608) 224‑5012
  • Website: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx

• Wisconsin Department of Revenue (sales/use tax)

  • Phone: (608) 266‑2776
  • Website: www.revenue.wi.gov/

Source Pages

• Town of Beaver Dam – Property and Building Maintenance, and Building Regulations (Chapter 10): www.townofbeaverdam.org/assets/documents/ordinances/ch10-1732513972.pdf
• Town of Beaver Dam – Zoning Code (Chapter 62): www.townofbeaverdam.org/assets/documents/ordinances/ch62.pdf
• Town of Beaver Dam – Code Library (Municode): library.municode.com/wi/beaver_dam
• State-level STR overview and examples (Wisconsin): www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-wisconsin

Important notes and caveats

• This analysis is based solely on the materials provided for the Town of Beaver Dam. The City of Beaver Dam is a separate municipality and may have different or additional requirements.
• If your STR includes common areas, multiple units, or commercial‑scale lodging, confirm whether the use requires any conditional use permit or additional licensing under zoning and building codes.
• Municipal room taxes and any local lodging policies are not detailed in the provided materials. Confirm with the town or county for current room tax and any local STR permits or caps.