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Iron River

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Iron River, WI

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STR Regulations for Iron River, Wisconsin

Overview

Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Iron River, WI, provided the operator complies with Wisconsin state lodging rules and Bayfield County requirements. Specifically, Iron River is subject to Bayfield County’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance (outside the Cities of Bayfield and Washburn), meaning operators must hold both a state lodging license and a county STR permit. Town-level approval is not required; however, the Town of Iron River has discussed county STR oversight and zoning alternatives, indicating ongoing coordination with Bayfield County. Source: Bayfield County Vacation Rentals page; Town of Iron River board agendas.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Iron River?

Iron River hosts earn a median $29,803/year with $222 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $46,971+ per year.

See the full Iron River market breakdown

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

Step-by-step, you should:

  1. Select and Secure the Property

    • Confirm parcel location within Bayfield County and outside the City of Bayfield and City of Washburn (to ensure county zoning/permit rules apply).
    • Verify allowed uses under Bayfield County Zoning (Title 13) for the subject parcel.

  2. Obtain the State Lodging License (“Tourist Rooming House”)

    • Contact Bayfield County Health Department to initiate licensing. The county acts as the state’s agent for lodging licenses under ATCP 72.
    • Complete any required inspections (pre‑inspection fee applies).

  3. Obtain Bayfield County STR Permit

    • Submit the county Short-Term Rental Permit Application Packet. Bayfield County Planning & Zoning issues permits for properties outside Bayfield, Washburn, and Town of Pilsen (Iron River falls under county oversight).
    • Pay the $500 per unit permit fee.

  4. Zoning and Use Compliance

    • Confirm that STR operation is an allowed use on the property. If additional zoning authorization is needed (e.g., conditional use), work with Bayfield County Planning & Zoning.

  5. Well and Septic Compliance (Per State Lodging Code and County Checklist)

    • Property must have an approved private well and private septic system.
    • Test private well water at least annually and submit results to Bayfield County Health Department.

  6. Register for Room Tax with Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR)

    • Short-term lodging providers must collect and remit Wisconsin room tax. Register with DOR (Pub 219 outlines room tax obligations).

  7. Insurance

    • Secure a business insurance policy. Standard homeowner policies typically exclude commercial STR risks.

  8. Local Advertising and Community Integration

    • Bayfield County Tourism adds licensed rentals to its local businesses website.
    • Consider advertising via local chambers (e.g., Iron River Area Chamber of Commerce).

  9. Operational Preparedness

    • Establish cleaning, linen service, guest communication, maintenance, and occupancy/tax recordkeeping processes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Operators in Iron River must obtain and maintain the following:

  • State Lodging License (Tourist Rooming House) — Bayfield County Health Department

    • Application via Bayfield County Health Department; county acts as DATCP agent.
    • Pre-Inspection: $300; Annual License: $275 (County fee $272; State fee $3).
    • Total license cost per renewal year: $575. Note: fees change periodically; confirm current schedule with the county.

  • Bayfield County Short-Term Rental Permit — Bayfield County Planning & Zoning

    • Applies to properties outside the City of Bayfield, City of Washburn, and Town of Pilsen (Iron River included).
    • Fee: $500 per unit (confirm current fee schedule).
    • Application Packet and Instructions are provided by the county.

  • Zoning Authorization

    • STR must be an allowed use on the property under Bayfield County Zoning (Title 13). Contact Planning & Zoning to confirm.

  • State and Local Guidelines

    • Wisconsin State Lodging Code (ATCP 72): health and safety requirements for lodging.
    • Bayfield County Short-Term Rental Ordinance: local compliance standards.
    • Lodging License Checklist: well water testing, garbage/recycling, septic compliance, safety items.

  • Room Tax Registration

    • Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) room tax registration and reporting (see Pub 219).

  • Insurance

    • Commercial general liability and property coverage appropriate for STR operations.

  • Ongoing Compliance

    • Annual well water test submission (private wells).
    • Garbage and recycling service as required by county.
    • Maintain records for occupancy, taxes, and guest stays.

Specific Regulations (County, Municipal, State)

Bayfield County

  • STR permits are required for properties outside Bayfield, Washburn, and Town of Pilsen. Iron River is subject to county permits.
  • The county issues the state lodging license through its Health Department and enforces ATCP 72.
  • The Short-Term Rental Ordinance governs operational standards; details are in the county ordinance.
  • Zoning compliance (Title 13) must be verified before operation.

Town of Iron River

  • No separate town STR permit is specified in county guidance; county rules apply.
  • Town agendas from February and March 2025 indicate discussions about Bayfield County’s STR Ordinance (Ord. 07-30-2024) under Wis. Stat. 66.0615, and coordination on zoning alternatives. This underscores the town’s role in local governance while deferring licensing/permitting to the county and state.

State of Wisconsin

  • All STRs must be licensed as Tourist Rooming Houses under ATCP 72 (Wisconsin State Lodging Code).
  • Room tax obligations per Wisconsin DOR (Pub 219) apply to lodging providers.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

Bayfield County Health Department (State Lodging License)

  • Address: 117 E 5th Street, P.O. Box 878, Washburn, WI 54891
  • Phone: 715-373-6100

Bayfield County Planning & Zoning (County STR Permits and Zoning)

  • Website: See “Apply For a Permit” and “Zoning Code” links on the Bayfield County website.

Wisconsin Department of Revenue (Room Tax Registration)

  • Refer to DOR guidance and Pub 219; consult state resources for registration and filing.

Town of Iron River (Town Governance)

  • Website: townofironriver.com

Links to Source Pages

Notes

  • Fees and processes may update periodically; always confirm the latest application packets, fee schedules, and inspection requirements with the county departments listed above.
  • Room tax rates and collection obligations may vary; the state requires registration and remittance, and municipalities may administer local room taxes. Confirm with the Wisconsin DOR and local authorities.

Next step

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Iron River

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
6/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Iron River Market Analysis

Photos of Iron River

Overview of Iron River

Iron River is a small, unincorporated community in Bayfield County, in the far north of Wisconsin. With a population of roughly 1,100 in the surrounding town, it sits squarely in the Northwoods, a region of mixed hardwood and conifer forest, glacial lakes, and clear streams that draws visitors in every season. The community is best known as a gateway to the Brule River State Forest and the wider Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and it functions as a quiet base for travelers exploring the South Shore of Lake Superior. Iron River lies approximately 80 miles southeast of Duluth, Minnesota, and about 25 miles south of Ashland, the nearest city of any real size.

The Brule River State Forest surrounds the community and centers on the Bois Brule River, a designated Wisconsin Wild River celebrated for its spring and fall steelhead and trout runs. Hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails thread through the woods, with multiple access points just minutes from Iron River. The river itself winds north toward Lake Superior and remains one of the most storied trout streams in the Upper Midwest.

Just beyond the Brule, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest spreads across more than 1.5 million acres of northern Wisconsin. Visitors come for its network of hiking and mountain-biking routes, its many glacial lakes, and its long stretches of the North Country National Scenic Trail. The forest is a four-season destination for travelers who prefer quiet, lake-studded woods over developed resorts.

About 35 to 40 minutes north of Iron River, the harbor town of Bayfield sits at the edge of Lake Superior and serves as the mainland gateway to the Apostable Islands National Lakeshore. From the town dock, ferries carry visitors out to sea caves, historic lighthouses, and stands of old-growth forest on the islands, while Bayfield itself offers orchards, galleries, and a walkable waterfront. The islands are one of the signature natural attractions of the upper Great Lakes and a frequent day trip for guests staying in the Iron River area.

With its central position between Lake Superior, the Brule River, and a million-acre national forest, Iron River offers visitors a rare combination of small-town quiet and easy access to some of the most varied outdoor terrain in the Upper Midwest. Its short-term rentals tend to appeal to anglers, paddlers, cyclists, and leaf-peepers who want a wooded base camp rather than a busy resort town, and its four-season character — from spring steelhead runs to summer lake swimming, fall color drives, and winter ski trails — gives the market a long booking window and a steady, experience-driven clientele.

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