Eagle, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

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

Phase 2: Licensing Acquisition Sequence

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

Phase 3: Operational Launch

Property Preparation: Implement required safety measures, parking configuration, and guest amenities
Contact System: Establish 24/7 local property management contact within 40-mile radius
Guest Systems: Set up registration processes, property rules distribution, and emergency protocols
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

Application Forms and Resources

Permit and Inspection Resources

Government Websites

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.

EXPLORE

ACCOUNT

HELP

Eagle, Wisconsin

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Eagle, Wisconsin