Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Eagle River, WI?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Eagle River, Wisconsin, subject to comprehensive licensing and regulatory requirements. Eagle River operates as a Class 4 city in Vilas County and has established its own dedicated STR licensing ordinance (ORDINANCE 590) that became effective April 30, 2025. The city explicitly permits STR operations while maintaining strict oversight to protect public health, safety, and neighborhood character.

Eagle River's approach differs from Vilas County's broader Tourist Rooming House (TRH) regulations—Eagle River properties are exempt from county TRH zoning permits but remain subject to county public health licensing requirements and all other applicable state and federal regulations.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Eagle River

Step-by-Step Process

Phase 1: Pre-Application Preparation

1. Property Assessment: Verify your property meets residential zoning requirements and structural standards
2. Septic System Evaluation: Confirm adequate septic capacity (2 occupants per bedroom design standard)
3. Insurance Review: Secure appropriate property and liability coverage meeting city requirements
4. Financial Preparation: Budget for all licensing fees, setup costs, and ongoing compliance expenses

Phase 2: Licensing Acquisition Sequence

1. State Level: Obtain Wisconsin Department of Revenue seller's permit and Premier Resort Area Tax (PRAT) registration
2. County Level: Secure Vilas County Public Health Department tourist rooming house license
3. City Level: Apply for Eagle River Short-Term Rental License
4. Final Setup: Complete fire inspection and finalize operational procedures

Phase 3: Operational Launch

1. Property Preparation: Implement required safety measures, parking configuration, and guest amenities
2. Contact System: Establish 24/7 local property management contact within 40-mile radius
3. Guest Systems: Set up registration processes, property rules distribution, and emergency protocols
4. Marketing Compliance: Ensure listing platforms reflect all required permits and restrictions

Timeline Considerations

• Initial License Processing: Allow 30-60 days for complete licensing cycle
• Renewal Deadlines: Submit renewal applications 45 days prior to expiration
• Grace Period: Existing properties have 120-day compliance window from ordinance effective date

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State Level Requirements

Wisconsin Department of Revenue

• Seller's Permit registration
• Premier Resort Area Tax (PRAT) registration for Eagle River properties
• Sales tax collection and remittance setup

State Health Regulations

• Tourist Rooming House license from Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
• Pre-inspection completion required before license approval
• Annual renewal by June 30th ($110 renewal fee)

County Level Requirements

Vilas County Public Health Department

• Tourist Rooming House license under Chapter 8 Vilas County Code
• Copy of completed application and property rules submission required
• Annual permit expiration January 31st following issuance
• Occupancy determination based on septic system capacity
• Property rules template compliance (minimum content requirements specified)

City Level Requirements

City of Eagle River Short-Term Rental License

• Completed application with owner or property manager signature
• Certificate of insurance (minimum $300,000 individual/$1,000,000 aggregate liability)
• City accommodation tax registration
• Local property management contact documentation
• Property parking map and designated space layout
• Annual fire inspection certificate
• Guest register system setup and record-keeping procedures

Supporting Documentation

• Property ownership verification
• Septic system capacity documentation or flows/loads affidavit
• Property rules document (template available from county)
• Emergency contact information for law enforcement, fire, and EMS services
• High-water alarm information for septic systems (if applicable)

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

Eagle River City Regulations (ORDINANCE 590)

Operational Limits

• Maximum 10 nights annually without license (then licensing mandatory)
• Single-family zoned properties: Maximum one rental per 7-day period (owner-residence exemption available)
• No recreational vehicles, campers, tents, or temporary lodging arrangements permitted on-site

Event Restrictions

• Outdoor events limited to one day duration
• Hours: 10am-11pm only
• Minimum 7-day interval between outdoor events
• Written council permission required for special circumstances

Property Management Requirements

• Local contact (owner or property manager) required within 40-mile radius
• 24/7 telephone availability mandatory
• Contact information changes require 24-hour advance notification to City Clerk

Occupancy and Capacity Limits

• POWTS (septic system) design capacity governs maximum occupancy
• Wisconsin State Regulation ATCP 72.14 hotel/motel limits apply
• Residential septic systems presumed 2 occupants per bedroom

Infrastructure Requirements

• Adequate off-street parking for all guests (no street parking)
• Annual fire inspection by local fire chief or designee
• Weekly garbage disposal in secured containers
• Property Code of Conduct creation and distribution

Financial Obligations

• City accommodation tax compliance (Chapter 82, Article II)
• 30-day payment deadline for accommodation taxes
• Application fees set by City Council (amount varies)
• Automatic license suspension for tax payment failures

Vilas County Regulations (Article XII General Zoning Ordinance)

Exemptions and Applicability

• Eagle River city properties exempt from county TRH zoning permits
• Non-shoreland areas of Towns of Manitowish Waters and Presque Isle also exempt
• All other Vilas County locations require county TRH zoning permits

General TRH Requirements (County-Wide)

• Annual permit required for all non-exempt TRH operations
• Permit expiration January 31st annually
• Non-transferable permits (new owner application required)
• Resident agent requirement (physical address within county or 40-mile radius)

Occupancy Standards

• Two people per bedroom based on sanitary permit
• Flows and loads affidavits, water meter data, or other approved methods for determination
• Additional occupancy not permitted for increased pumping frequency or seasonal usage
• Properties without sanitary permits require Deputy Zoning Administrator consultation

Parking Requirements

• One off-street space per two occupants, plus one additional space
• Total vehicles/trailers limited to available parking spaces
• Spaces must be 75+ feet from ordinary high-water mark
• 5-foot minimum from lot lines (unless pre-existing improved spaces)
• No parking within 15 feet of septic systems, wetlands, floodplains, easements, or mitigation areas

Zoning District Restrictions

• Single-Family Residential (R-1) districts: Minimum 7-day rental terms
• Prohibited: Dwellings without septic systems, cesspools, campground-located campers, mobile/manufactured homes in parks

Property Rules Requirements

• Mandatory posting in visible location for renters
• Must include: occupancy limits, contact information, vehicle/trailer parking rules, emergency contact info, septic alarm information, recreational regulations (burning, hunting, fishing, boating, ATV/snowmobile)
• Template available or custom rules permitted

Wisconsin State Regulations

Tourist Rooming House Licensing

• Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection oversight
• $110 annual license fee plus $300 one-time pre-inspection fee
• July 1 to June 30 license period
• Annual renewal deadline June 30th

Taxation Requirements

• 5% state sales tax on accommodations 29 days or shorter
• 0.5% county tax (varies by county)
• Local exposition taxes (varies by municipality)
• Premier Resort Area Tax for specific communities including Eagle River (0.5%)

Contact Information

City of Eagle River (Primary Licensing Authority)

City Clerk and Treasurer's Office

• Address: 525 E. Maple Street, PO Box 1269, Eagle River, WI 54521
• Phone: 715-479-8682
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday (specific hours not listed in provided documents)
• Email: Not provided in source materials
• Website: eagleriverwi.gov/departments/city-clerk-and-treasurers-office/

Zoning and Administration

• Phone: 715-479-8682 (same as City Hall)
• Email: Not specifically provided

Fire Department

• Contact through City Hall for fire inspection scheduling
• Annual inspection requirement for all STR properties

Vilas County (Health and Zoning Oversight)

Zoning and Planning Department

• Address: 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521
• Phone: 715-479-3620
• Email: zoning@vilascountywi.gov
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Website: www.vilascountywi.gov/departments/administration___officials/zoning_and_planning/

Public Health Department

• Environmental health applications and tourist rooming house licensing
• Contact through main county number: 715-479-3600
• Website: www.vilascountywi.gov/departments/services/public_health_department/

State Agencies

Wisconsin Department of Revenue

• Seller's permit and PRAT registration
• Website: www.revenue.wi.gov/

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

• Tourist Rooming House licensing
• Phone: 608-224-5012
• Pre-inspection scheduling and license applications

Source Links

Primary Regulatory Documents

• Eagle River STR Ordinance 590 (Effective 4-30-2025)
• Eagle River Ordinance Announcement
• Vilas County Tourist Rooming House Information
• Airbnb Wisconsin Host Guidelines

Application Forms and Resources

• TRH Permit Application (2025)
• TRH Property Rules Template
• Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance
• Article XII: Tourist Rooming House Operations

Permit and Inspection Resources

• Vilas County Ascent Permit Lookup
• Vilas County GIS Mapping
• Vilas County Zoning Fee Schedule

Government Websites

• City of Eagle River Official Website
• Vilas County Government Portal
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Wisconsin Department of Revenue

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Investment Recommendation: Eagle River presents a viable STR market with clear regulatory framework and strong local oversight. The city's proactive licensing approach provides investment certainty while the county health department partnership ensures professional standards. Success requires careful attention to occupancy limits, parking requirements, and local property management relationships.