Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed?

• Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in the Town of Lyndon (Lyndon Station, WI). The Town has a dedicated Short‑Term Rental licensing regime under Chapter 15, Subchapter 5 of its municipal ordinances and requires a local STR license to operate. Wisconsin also classifies STRs as “Tourist Rooming Houses” (TRH) at the state level and requires state and county licensing. [Source: Town Ordinances Chapter 15, Subchapter 5]

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

1. Confirm zoning and use eligibility

• Verify that your property is in a zoning district where tourist rooming houses/STRs are permitted (or obtain a conditional use permit if required). The Town’s zoning administrator can confirm land-use eligibility before you invest. [Source: Zoning Ordinance, Forms & Permits page]

2. Secure state licensing (Tourist Rooming House)

• Wisconsin DATCP requires a TRH license if you rent lodging to tourists/transients for more than 10 nights per year. Properties with 1–4 rooms license as TRH; properties with 5+ rooms require a hotel license. Licensing year is July 1–June 30. Fees typically include a state license fee and a pre‑inspection fee. [Source: Wisconsin STR laws (statewide guidance)].

3. Complete county health licensing and inspection

• Obtain the county TRH license and pass a health inspection through the appropriate county health department (see “Required documents” below for the county responsible). Health licensing is separate from state licensing and is required to operate. [Source: State-level licensing overview and municipal application checklist].

4. Obtain Town of Lyndon STR license

• Apply for the Town’s Short-Term Rental License (Initial or Renewal) and pay the $500 application fee. The Town will conduct a housing inspection prior to license approval. The license must be renewed annually. [Source: Town License Application; Forms & Permits].

5. Register for taxes

• Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to collect and remit state sales tax (5%) and any applicable local room tax. If you rent through platforms that do not collect for you (e.g., direct bookings), also obtain a Wisconsin Seller’s Permit. [Source: Wisconsin STR tax guidance].

6. Insurance

• Maintain casualty and liability insurance that specifically covers STR operations. Evidence of coverage is required with the Town application. [Source: Town License Application requirements].

7. Prepare required plans and documentation

• Provide interior floor plans (to scale, showing bedrooms, exits, sleeping capacity, and fireplaces/grills if present) and an exterior site plan (to scale, showing structures, driveway, road, and parking). [Source: Town License Application requirements].

8. Advertising and compliance

• Ensure all advertising displays required local permit numbers and complies with the Town’s STR regulations, zoning, parking, and safety standards. [Source: Town Ordinances Chapter 15, Subchapter 5].

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• State (DATCP)
  • Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House License (TRH) or Hotel License, depending on room count. License year: July 1–June 30. [Source: State DATCP TRH program and statewide laws overview].
• County (Health)
  • County TRH license and a completed Lodging Establishment Health Inspection report. Contact the county health department to confirm inspection procedures and fees. [Source: Statewide licensing overview].
• Town of Lyndon
  • Initial Tourist Rooming House/Short‑Term Rental License Application (includes owner/property details; sales tax number; identity of officers/agents if entity; resident/manager info; floor plans; site plan; insurance certificate; health inspection report; state TRH license copy). Application fee: $500. [Source: Town License Application].
  • STR Renewal Application (for annual renewals). [Source: Town Forms & Permits].
  • Zoning Permit (if STR use requires zoning confirmation or a conditional use permit). [Source: Town Forms & Permits].
• Taxes
  • Wisconsin Sales Tax Registration (5% state rate; local rates vary). Room tax may apply at the county/municipal level. [Source: Wisconsin STR tax guidance].
• Safety and building
  • Compliance with applicable state building and fire codes as adopted by the Town (Chapter 17). [Source: Town Building Code].
• Private restrictions
  • Confirm HOA, condominium, or recorded covenants do not prohibit STR operations. [Source: General compliance guidance].

Specific regulations (City/Town, County, State)

• Town of Lyndon (STR)
  • STRs must obtain a local license; the Town conducts a housing inspection before approval. Licenses are non‑transferable and must be renewed annually. The application requires detailed floor and site plans and proof of insurance. [Source: Town License Application; Ordinances Chapter 15, Subchapter 5].
• Zoning and land use
  • STRs must align with the property’s zoning. Some districts may require a conditional use permit. The zoning administrator confirms eligibility and required approvals. [Source: Town Zoning Ordinances; Forms & Permits].
• Building and fire safety
  • STRs must comply with state building codes adopted locally (UDC and related standards). Ensure smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, safe egress, and other safety measures are in place. [Source: Town Building Code].
• County health requirements
  • County TRH licensing and annual inspections ensure compliance with lodging health and safety standards (lodging sanitation, water/wastewater, sleeping room conditions, etc.). Contact the appropriate county health department for requirements, schedules, and fees. [Source: Statewide licensing overview].
• Wisconsin state requirements
  • DATCP TRH licensing; state sales tax (5%); local room taxes may apply; sellers who collect payments outside certain platforms must obtain a Seller’s Permit. The state allows local STR regulation, but localities cannot limit rentals to fewer than 180 days per 365‑day period. [Source: State DATCP; Wisconsin STR laws overview].

Contact information (local authority)

• Town of Lyndon (primary STR licensing authority)
  • Mailing Address: W3080 Mitchell Road, Lyndon Station, WI 53944
  • Phone: (608) 548‑2546
  • Email: [email protected] (Town Clerk) [Source: Town website]
• Zoning Administrator
  • Jeremy Peach
  • Phone: (608) 448‑8026
  • Email: [email protected] [Source: Town Forms & Permits]
• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
  • Program: Tourist Rooming Houses
  • Web: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/TouristRoomingHouses.aspx
• Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR)
  • Sales and room tax registration
  • Web: www.revenue.wi.gov/ (search “tourist rooming house,” “seller’s permit,” or “room tax”)

Links to source pages (important)

• Town Ordinances (STR in Chapter 15, Subchapter 5)
  • townoflyndonwi.gov/ordinances/
• Short‑Term Rental License Application
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/04/Short-Term-Rental-License-App-8.3.2022.pdf
• STR Renewal Application
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/04/Short-Term-Rental-renewal-application.pdf
• Zoning Permit Application
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/04/zoning-permit-app-for-permitted-uses-JJP-11.5.2020.pdf
• Conditional Use Permit Application
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/04/Conditional-Use-permit-application-3-21.pdf
• Building Permit Application and Residential Checklist
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/04/Building-Permit-Application-1.pdf
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/09/Bldg%20Permit%20requirements_Checklist_Residential.pdf
• Town Fee Schedule
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/04/Town-of-Lyndon-Fee-Schedule-page-1.pdf
  • storage.googleapis.com/juniper-media-library/88/2024/04/Town-of-Lyndon-Fee-Schedule-page-2.pdf
• Online Payments (STR and other fees)
  • app.heygov.com/townoflyndon.com/quick-pay/pay?pay=type-66344
• Zoning Ordinances (overview)
  • townoflyndonwi.gov/ordinances/
• Wisconsin DATCP Tourist Rooming House program
  • datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/TouristRoomingHouses.aspx
• Wisconsin STR laws (statewide overview; taxes, licensing, local rules)
  • www.gosummer.com/post/wisconsin-short-term-rental-laws

Notes and practical cautions

• Health inspection county: The Town’s STR application references “Wood County Health Dept.” Properties in Lyndon Station are in Juneau County; you should coordinate inspections with Juneau County Public Health. If the Town requires Wood County due to an intergovernmental agreement, the Town Clerk can confirm. When you call, ask specifically for the Lodging/Tourist Rooming House inspection process and fees. [Source: Application language and local geography; Town contact].
• Fees and timelines: Expect a pre‑inspection at the state level and a housing inspection at the Town level before license approval. State TRH licensing runs July 1–June 30; local licensing renewals are annual. [Source: State guidance and Town application].
• Advertising and permits: Town regulations likely require displaying your local license number in advertising and maintaining a guest registry. Confirm exact posting and registry requirements in Chapter 15, Subchapter 5 and your issued license. [Source: Town Ordinances Chapter 15, Subchapter 5].

This guide reflects the public information available as of 2025 and should be used alongside direct confirmation from the Town Clerk, Zoning Administrator, county health department, and state agencies. Regulations can change; verify current requirements before purchasing or licensing a property.