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Manitowoc, WI

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STR Regulations for Manitowoc, Wisconsin

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

YES — Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In this jurisdiction, short-term rentals are legally defined as "Tourist Rooming Houses" (TRH) under Wisconsin state law. Properties that accommodate tourists or transients for fewer than 60 days are permitted, provided they meet all licensing, zoning, and regulatory requirements. Properties where guests stay 60 days or more transition to traditional tenant status and fall under different regulations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Manitowoc?

Manitowoc hosts earn a median $22,198/year with $204 ADR and 46% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $34,874+ per year.

See the full Manitowoc market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Manitowoc, WI

Step 1: Pre-Application Planning

  • Verify Zoning Compliance: Confirm your property is in an approved zoning district
  • Property Assessment: Ensure your property can meet health and safety standards
  • Business Structure: Determine ownership structure and management approach

Step 2: County Licensing Process

  • Contact Manitowoc County Health Department: Initiate pre-licensing inspection
  • Complete TRH License Application: Submit required documentation
  • Schedule Inspection: Allow time for property inspection and remediation if needed

Step 3: Municipal Compliance

  • Verify Zoning Clearance: Confirm permitted use status with Building Inspection
  • Room Tax Registration: Contact Finance Department for tax obligations
  • Ongoing Compliance: Maintain all licenses and registrations

Step 4: Operational Launch

  • Display License: Post TRH license prominently for public viewing
  • Establish Operations: Implement guest management, cleaning, and maintenance systems
  • Tax Compliance: Set up room tax collection and remittance procedures

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Licenses and Permits

1. Tourist Rooming House (TRH) License

  • Issuing Authority: Manitowoc County Health Department (DATCP Agent)
  • Prerequisites: Pre-licensing inspection required
  • Posting Requirement: Must be displayed in public view
  • Annual Renewal: License must be renewed annually

2. Zoning Clearance

  • Requirement: Property must be in permitted zoning district
  • Approved Districts: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, B-1
  • Verification: Contact Building Inspection Department

3. Room Tax Registration

  • Authority: City of Manitowoc Finance Department
  • Legal Basis: Wisconsin Statute § 66.0615
  • Applies To: All transient accommodations including STRs

Health and Safety Requirements Checklist

Water and Septic Systems

  • Private well compliance and coliform bacteria testing (certified lab required)
  • Annual bacteria and nitrate testing recommended
  • Septic system compliance and proper functioning
  • Gray water discharge restrictions
  • Septic tank security (chaining and locking required)
  • Backflow prevention on threaded faucets

Sleeping Accommodations

  • Clean sleeping rooms with lined garbage receptacles
  • Door locks required when home rented to multiple groups simultaneously
  • Bedding standards: top sheet must fold over blanket minimum 12 inches
  • Mattress pads mandatory on all beds
  • Washable bedding required
  • Window screening in sleeping rooms
  • Bed bug-free environment

Fire Safety and Detection

  • Functional smoke detectors (UL listed and labeled)
  • Detectors maximum 10 years old per manufacturer date
  • Recommended: one detector per level and inside each sleeping room
  • Fire extinguishers rated 1A:10BC recommended
  • Compliance with Wisconsin building codes (SPS 321)

Carbon Monoxide Safety

  • Required in bedrooms with combustion appliances
  • Required outside sleeping areas if combustion appliances elsewhere
  • Required between attached garages and sleeping areas if no other combustion sources
  • Replace every 5 years unless manufacturer specifies longer lifespan

Kitchen and Bathroom Standards

  • Refrigerator: clean, empty for each guest, maintain 41°F or below
  • Guest notification sign about dish sanitization required
  • Unscented plain bleach (Chlorox) must be provided as sanitizer
  • All fixtures in good working order
  • Shared facilities: one toilet/lavatory/shower per 10 persons per sex
  • Soap supply in each bathroom
  • Hot and cold water at all fixtures
  • Slip-resistant surfaces or mats required

Laundry and Housekeeping

  • Sheet and pillowcase laundering between guests
  • Separate storage for soiled and clean linens (2 labeled washable baskets required)

Structural and Safety

  • Compliant deck railings
  • Compliant stair handrails
  • Elimination of hazardous situations
  • Proper plumbing installation with backflow preventors

Guest Record-Keeping

  • Register Requirement: Written guest register mandatory
  • Retention Period: Records must be kept minimum one year
  • Required Information: Guest name and either phone number or email
  • Availability: Must be provided to city upon request
  • Emergency Information Book: Recommended for guest safety

Specific Regulations by Level of Government

City of Manitowoc Regulations

Zoning Compliance

  • Short-term rentals permitted in districts: R-1 (15.090), R-2 (15.110), R-3 (15.130), R-4 (15.150), R-5 (15.170), R-6 (15.190), R-7 (15.210), B-1 (15.230)
  • Zoning map available through Building Inspection Department
  • Contact (920) 686-6940 for zoning verification

Room Tax Requirements

  • Imposed under Wisconsin Statute § 66.0615
  • Applies to sales price of transient accommodations
  • Contact Finance Department at (920) 686-6960 for current rates and registration
  • Responsible party: STR owners and operators

Building and Safety Standards

  • Compliance with Wisconsin building codes required
  • Building Inspection Department oversight
  • Contact for inspection requirements and compliance questions

Manitowoc County Requirements

Licensing Authority

  • Manitowoc County Health Department serves as DATCP agent
  • Pre-licensing inspection mandatory
  • Annual TRH license required
  • Ongoing compliance monitoring

Planning and Zoning

  • County zoning applies in specific townships
  • Conditional use permits required for new TRH in county-zoned areas
  • Townships requiring conditional use permits: Cato, Cooperstown, Eaton, Gibson, Kossuth, Liberty, Manitowoc, Manitowoc Rapids, Maple Grove, Meeme, Mishicot, Rockland, Schleswig, Two Creeks, Two Rivers
  • Contact County Planning and Zoning at (920) 683-4185

State of Wisconsin Regulations

Statutory Framework

  • Tourist/Transient definition: occupancy less than 60 days while traveling from permanent residence
  • State preemption protections for STR operations
  • DATCP oversight through local health departments
  • Room tax authorization under § 66.0615

Recent Legal Developments Wisconsin Court of Appeals decisions have clarified municipal authority:

  • Primary residence restrictions preempted by state law
  • STR bans must follow proper zoning procedures
  • Functional approach used to identify zoning ordinances
  • Municipalities must follow strict procedural requirements for land use restrictions

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Licensing Authority

Manitowoc County Health Department

City of Manitowoc Departments

Building Inspection Department

  • Phone: (920) 686-6940
  • Email: buildinginspection@manitowoc.org
  • Address: 900 Quay Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220
  • Role: Zoning verification and building compliance

Finance Department

  • Phone: (920) 686-6960
  • Role: Room tax registration and compliance

County Planning and Zoning

Manitowoc County Planning and Zoning

  • Phone: (920) 683-4185
  • Role: County zoning compliance and conditional use permits

Important Links to Source Pages

City of Manitowoc Resources

Application Forms

County Resources

Legal Reference

This guide provides comprehensive information for establishing and operating a compliant short-term rental business in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before making investment decisions.

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Manitowoc

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 Manitowoc Market Analysis

Photos of Manitowoc

Overview of Manitowoc

Manitowoc is a city of approximately 33,000 residents situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan in eastern Wisconsin, where it serves as the county seat of Manitowoc County. The city carries a long industrial and maritime heritage tied to shipbuilding and Great Lakes commerce, and today it has the feel of a comfortable, lived-in small city with a historic downtown, a walkable lakefront, and a working-class backbone. It is best known as the southern gateway to the Door County peninsula, and it lies roughly 80 miles north of Milwaukee and about 150 miles north of Chicago, putting it within an easy drive of several larger regional hubs.

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum anchors the city's cultural identity along the lakefront and is one of the larger maritime museums in the Midwest. Visitors can tour the USS Cobia, a World War II submarine permanently moored just outside the main building, and explore exhibits on Great Lakes shipping, shipwrecks, and the region's shipbuilding past. The museum sits within a few minutes of downtown and forms the centerpiece of Manitowoc's lakefront attractions.

A short drive inland, the Rahr-West Art Museum occupies a striking Victorian mansion surrounded by formal gardens and a city park. The museum houses a varied collection of fine and decorative art and offers a quieter, more contemplative stop than the lakeside attractions. Its hillside setting also gives visitors a window into the residential architecture of the late nineteenth century, when Manitowoc was prospering from its position on the lake.

Outdoors, the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Mariner's Trail, a paved path that follows the coast for several miles between Manitowoc and neighboring Two Rivers, draw cyclists, walkers, and beachgoers through the warmer months. Just north of the city, Point Beach State Forest offers two miles of Lake Michigan beach, forested campgrounds, and trails through dune and hardwood ecosystems. The forest is roughly a fifteen-minute drive from downtown and provides a low-key natural alternative to the busier resort towns further north.

Manitowoc works well as a base for short-term rentals because it combines genuine Lake Michigan appeal with maritime attractions and a quieter, more affordable pace of stay than nearby resort areas. Its position between Milwaukee and Green Bay, paired with its role as a southern approach to Door County, gives visitors a launching point for day trips in several directions while still offering a self-contained downtown and lakefront to enjoy close to home.

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