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De Pere

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De Pere, WI

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STR Regulations for De Pere, Wisconsin

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in De Pere, WI?

Yes—short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in the City of De Pere, Wisconsin, subject to city licensing, health inspections, zoning compliance, and state and county tax obligations. You must obtain a city application approval, a Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license from the De Pere Health Department, and meet safety requirements. STRs are only permitted in specific zoning districts (primarily residential and certain mixed‑use zones) and must comply with city occupancy and frequency limits. Backyard cottages are prohibited as STRs; secondary suites cannot be used for stays under 90 days and are therefore not considered STRs. Property owners are responsible for ensuring zoning compliance and for confirming whether private covenants or HOA rules allow STRs. A Brown County 10% room tax applies and must be remitted, and in some cases a Wisconsin seller’s permit is required.

Sources:

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in De Pere?

De Pere hosts earn a median $28,486/year with $264 ADR and 47% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,384+ per year.

See the full De Pere market breakdown

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in De Pere

The city requires a two‑step process prior to any bookings:

  1. Development Services application and approval
  • Complete the city’s Short‑Term Rental application and submit the $100 fee to Development Services. This step confirms zoning eligibility and overall compliance with city rules. See the application link in References.
  1. Health Department licensing and pre‑inspection
  • After Development Services approval, apply for a Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license with the De Pere Health Department, which conducts a pre‑licensing inspection. Booking is prohibited until the pre‑inspection is completed and passed.

Additional steps you should plan to complete before listing:

  • Room Tax: Register, collect, and remit the 10% Brown County room tax. See the Brown County Room Tax form in References.
  • State Tax: If your STR gross earnings are expected to be $2,000 or more in a 365‑day period, obtain a Wisconsin seller’s permit from the Department of Revenue.
  • Insurance: Coordinate with your homeowner’s insurance to secure STR coverage.
  • HOA/Covenants: Confirm STRs are not prohibited by restrictive covenants, HOA rules, or other property restrictions.

Sources:

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Development Services application

    • What it is: City application to operate an STR
    • Fee: $100
    • When required: Before any STR operations
    • Link: See References

  • Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license (Health Department)

    • What it is: Annual health and safety license for lodging operations
    • License year: July 1–June 30
    • Renewal: Required annually before June 30
    • Pre‑inspection: Required before operation
    • Contact: De Pere Health Department (see Contact section)

  • Brown County Room Tax

    • Rate: 10% of room charges
    • Who collects: STR operator (host)
    • Filing cadence:
      • Online marketplaces (e.g., VRBO, Airbnb): quarterly filings
      • Individual owners: monthly filings
    • Filing address: Associated Trust Company (see Contact section)
    • Form: See References

  • Wisconsin Seller’s Permit

    • Trigger: If you reasonably expect $2,000 or more in gross STR receipts within any 365‑day period
    • Purpose: Sales/use tax collection and reporting as applicable
    • Reference: See References

  • Property safety and building considerations

    • Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
    • Fire extinguishers in accessible locations
    • Two safe forms of emergency building egress
    • Properly functioning HVAC, water heater, fireplace, and stove ventilation
    • Adequate bathroom/shower ventilation
    • Good working electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems

  • Zoning verification and map

    • Verify that your property lies within city limits and is zoned for STR use
    • Use the city’s ArcGIS zoning map to check zoning layers

  • Inspection records

    • Public inspection reports are available via the HealthSpace portal

Sources:

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (City/County/State)

City of De Pere

  • Zoning allowances:
    • Residential districts R1, R2, RM: STRs allowed
    • Mixed‑use districts MX1, MX2, MX3, GX1, GX2: STRs allowed
    • Note for MX1/MX2/MX3: STR units must be located above the first floor
    • All other zoning districts: STRs are prohibited
  • Frequency caps:
    • R1 and R2: Not more than one rental stay in any 7‑consecutive‑day period
    • RM, MX1, MX2, MX3, GX1, GX2: Not more than one stay per day
  • Minimum stay definitions:
    • Backyard cottages: Prohibited as STRs
    • Secondary suites: May not be rented for periods less than 90 consecutive days (thus not considered STRs under city rules)
    • If the same renter stays 28 consecutive days or more, the STR license does not apply to that renter
  • Application deadline note:
    • Paid STR applications received after March 31, 2025 may not be processed in time for the 2025 draft (applicants should plan well ahead)
  • Room tax:
    • 10% Brown County room tax applies; see filing requirements below
  • Health and safety:
    • Pre‑inspection required prior to operation
    • License year July 1–June 30; renew annually before June 30
  • Property limits:
    • Verify parcel begins with “ED‑” or “WD‑” to confirm city addressability; the De Pere zip code 54115 extends beyond city limits

Brown County

  • Room Tax:
    • Rate: 10%
    • Collection responsibility: Host
    • Filing cadence:
      • Online marketplaces: Quarterly
        • Q1 (Jan 1–Mar 31): due April 20
        • Q2 (Apr 1–Jun 30): due July 20
        • Q3 (Jul 1–Sep 30): due October 20
        • Q4 (Oct 1–Dec 31): due January 20
      • Individual owners: Monthly
    • Remittance address: Associated Trust Company, PO Box 12800, Green Bay, WI 54307‑2800

State of Wisconsin

  • Seller’s Permit:
    • If your reasonably expected gross STR receipts are less than $2,000 in a 365‑day period, no seller’s permit is required
    • If you expect $2,000 or more, you must obtain a seller’s permit from the Department of Revenue
  • Safety and lodging codes:
    • Tourist Rooming House rules are governed by Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 72; consult state guidance and the De Pere Health Department for applicable health and safety requirements

Sources:

Contact Information for Local Authorities (De Pere STRs)

City of De Pere Development Services (zoning, application acceptance)

De Pere Health Department (TRH licensing, inspections)

Brown County Room Tax Remittance

  • Associated Trust Company
    • Attn: Trust Operations Dept.
    • PO Box 12800
    • Green Bay, WI 54307‑2800
  • Room Tax form: See References

Wisconsin Department of Revenue (Seller’s Permit)

Note: The De Pere Health Department licenses and regulates establishments within the City of De Pere; it does not include the Town of Lawrence or the Town of Ledgeview.

Sources:

References: Source Pages and Key Documents

City of De Pere Short‑Term Rentals (official guidance)

City of De Pere STR Application (SeamlessDocs)

De Pere Zoning Map (ArcGIS)

Brown County Room Tax Form

De Pere Health Department (Licensing & Inspection)

De Pere HealthSpace (Inspection Reports)

Discover Green Bay: 6‑Step Guide to Short‑Term Rentals

Wisconsin Department of Revenue: Seller’s Permit

Operational Checklist for STR Investors (concise summary)

  • Confirm zoning eligibility (R1, R2, RM; MX1/MX2/MX3 above first floor; GX1/GX2)
  • Verify your parcel begins with “ED‑” or “WD‑”
  • Submit city STR application ($100) and obtain approval
  • Apply for TRH license and pass pre‑inspection before any bookings
  • Register to collect and remit 10% Brown County room tax (quarterly for marketplaces; monthly for individuals)
  • Obtain a Wisconsin seller’s permit if expected gross receipts are $2,000+ in 365 days
  • Validate HOA/covenants allow STRs
  • Install/maintain required safety equipment (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguishers, egress, ventilation)
  • Maintain compliance and renew TRH license annually (by June 30)

This guide is current to the information provided and is intended for planning purposes. Requirements may change; always verify with the City of De Pere, the De Pere Health Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue before operation.

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De Pere

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
7/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full De Pere Market Analysis

Photos of De Pere

Overview of De Pere

De Pere is a small city in Brown County, Wisconsin, situated along the lower Fox River just a few miles south of Green Bay, which is the nearest major city at roughly 5 to 7 miles to the north. The community has a population of approximately 25,000 residents, giving it a comfortable, small-city feel while still offering quick access to a larger metro area. Known for its tree-lined streets, historic riverfront, and the presence of St. Norbert College, De Pere has the character of a classic Midwestern college town blended with deep roots in early Wisconsin history. The city is often recognized as one of the oldest settlements in the state, and it serves as a convenient southern gateway to the Green Bay area as well as a launching point for trips north to Door County and the wider Lake Michigan shoreline.

A stroll through the downtown district along the Fox River is a natural starting point for any visitor. The area features preserved 19th-century architecture, locally owned restaurants, pubs, and small shops, and the riverwalk offers views of the water and the working De Pere lock and dam system. The walkable core, anchored by the college and a calendar of community events, gives the area a lively but unhurried pace that contrasts with the busier scene just up the river in Green Bay.

Just across the river to the north in Green Bay, visitors will find the National Railroad Museum, one of the largest rail museums in the country, located about a 10-minute drive from downtown De Pere. The museum features historic locomotives, indoor and outdoor exhibits, and seasonal train rides that appeal to families and rail enthusiasts alike. Football fans and casual visitors are also only about 10 to 15 minutes from Lambeau Field and the Titletown district, which draw large crowds year-round and have helped reshape Green Bay's identity as more than just an industrial port city.

For travelers willing to venture a bit farther, De Pere is a natural springboard to Door County, the slender peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan between Green Bay and Lake Michigan proper. The northern edge of the county, with its state parks, lighthouses, fish boils, and harbor villages, is roughly an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half by car. Closer to home, Potawatomi State Park, located just outside Sturgeon Bay, is often reached in about an hour and offers camping, hiking, and sweeping views of the bay.

De Pere makes a compelling base for a short-term rental because it offers a quieter, more residential alternative to staying directly in Green Bay while keeping the city's major draws within a short drive. Visitors can enjoy a walkable historic downtown, easy river access, and college-town amenities, then use the city as a home base for day trips to Lambeau Field, the museum district, Lake Michigan beaches, and the scenic Door County peninsula. That combination of small-town atmosphere, regional connectivity, and proximity to some of Wisconsin's most visited destinations gives De Pere a steady appeal across a wide range of traveler types.

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