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Neillsville, WI

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STR Regulations for Neillsville, Wisconsin

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Neillsville?

Short-term rentals are effectively allowed in Neillsville, but only in specific forms and zones:

  • Bed-and-breakfast (B&B) establishments are permitted as conditional uses in the R1, R2, and R3 residential zoning districts. They are subject to owner-occupancy, parking requirements, and state lodging permits. In R1 and R2 districts, B&Bs are limited to two bedrooms, and guest stays are capped at 15 days.
  • Lodging uses such as hotels and motels are permitted by-right in the CG (General Commercial) district; individual room rentals likely qualify as “Boarding House” (up to 6 persons) or as an “Apartment” in mixed-use buildings, subject to zoning compliance and parking. In all cases, lodging uses must meet parking requirements and obtain state lodging permits where applicable.
  • “Rooming houses” (lodging for compensation without meals) are a conditional use in the R1/R2/R3 districts and limited to no more than six (6) persons.

Conclusion: In residential zones, investor-led rentals of entire homes are not explicitly permitted as of the provided ordinance; B&Bs (owner-occupied, with two-bedroom and 15-day stay limits in R1/R2) and six-person rooming houses (with meals allowed under boarding house rules) are the principal pathways. In commercial zones (CG), lodging uses are viable and less constrained.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Neillsville?

Neillsville hosts earn a median $20,150/year with $203 ADR and 40% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $30,204+ per year.

See the full Neillsville market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Neillsville

  • Select a viable district:
    • R1/R2/R3: B&B or rooming/boarding house models. In R1/R2, stay capped at 15 days per guest and total bedrooms limited to two (2) for B&B; no B&B stay limit in R3. Ensure owner-occupancy for B&B.
    • CG (General Commercial): Entire building lodging uses are permitted; multifamily dwellings are allowed and can be used in mixed-use scenarios. Apartment/hotel models can support STR operations; verify no State lodging unit limits apply and meet parking ratios.
  • Complete permitting:
    • Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Required for B&B and rooming/boarding houses in R1/R2/R3. Follow the process under Article D (Sections 10-1-50, 10-1-51(e), 10-1-96).
    • Zoning Permit and Certificate of Zoning Compliance: Required before construction or structural changes (Article I, Sections 10-1-110 through 10-1-115).
    • Certificate of Occupancy (CO): Required prior to operation (Article I, Section 10-1-116).
    • State lodging permits: Obtain Wisconsin lodging permits as required by HSS 197; a Town/ City/Village permit is also cited as necessary by Neillsville’s zoning provisions for B&Bs.
    • Business and tax registration: Obtain a business license (Neillsville), register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for sales/use tax, and adhere to local room tax rules where applicable.
  • Site planning:
    • Off-street parking: B&Bs must provide one parking space per bedroom plus two spaces for the household. For lodging uses in CG, provide 1 stall per guestroom and 1 stall per three employees. Apartments require 1.5–2.0 stalls per unit depending on size.
    • Yard setbacks and building standards: Verify compliance with district-specific setbacks (e.g., front 20 feet, side 8 feet, rear 20–45 feet depending on district; accessory structures must maintain required clearances).
  • Compliance controls:
    • Ensure occupancy never exceeds six (6) persons for boarding/rooming houses.
    • Ensure no stay exceeds 15 days for B&Bs in R1 and R2; no such limit in R3.
    • Maintain owner-occupancy for B&Bs; no routine absentee landlord operations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • City of Neillsville
    • Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for B&B, rooming house, and boarding house in residential districts (Article D).
    • Zoning Permit; Certificate of Zoning Compliance (Article I).
    • Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued after inspections.
    • Business License (Neillsville, Title 7).
  • State of Wisconsin
    • Lodging permits for tourist rooming houses per Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter HSS 197 (state administrative rules cited by Neillsville zoning).
    • Town/City/Village lodging permits as required by HSS 197 (for B&Bs).
    • Sales/use tax registration with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
  • Local tax
    • Room tax compliance (obtain current rate and reporting cadence from the City; not provided in the source).
  • Zoning and building references (City of Neillsville)
    • Title 10 Chapter 1 Zoning Ordinance (as provided; specifically Articles A–I; definitions at § 10-1-3; conditional uses at § 10-1-51(e); administration at Article H; zoning permits at Article I).
    • Title 7 (business licensing; exact sections not provided).
  • Operation guidelines
    • Off-street parking ratios (Title 10 Chapter 1; § 10-1-75): Apartments: 1.5–2.0 stalls/unit; Hotels/motels: 1 stall/guestroom + 1 stall/three employees; Clubs/lodging houses: 1 stall/2 beds; Schools, places of assembly, restaurants and bars, retail and services per square footage standards.
    • Maximum occupancy limits: Boarding/rooming houses ≤ 6 persons.
    • Owner-occupancy requirement: B&B must be owner-occupied.
    • Stay limits: B&B stays in R1/R2 capped at 15 days; no stated limit in R3.

Specific Regulations: Short-Term Rentals in Neillsville (City), Clark County (County), and Wisconsin (State)

  • City of Neillsville (zoning and land use)
    • Zoning districts and permitted uses: R1 (one-family), R2 (two-family), R3 (multiple family), CG (General Commercial), CH (Highway Commercial), IL (Light Industrial), IG (General Industrial), CN (Conservancy), UT (Urban Transitional) (§ 10-1-30).
    • Residential district purpose and standards:
      • R1/R2: Yards (front 20 feet; side 8 feet; rear 20 feet). Height 35 feet. Parking for single-family: 2 stalls/dwelling unit.
      • R3: Yards (front 20 feet; side 8 feet; rear 45 feet). Height 35 feet. Lot area includes base 10,000 sq ft + 2,200 sq ft per multi-family unit.
    • Lodging in residential zones:
      • Bed and Breakfast (conditional use in R1/R2/R3): Owner-occupied; one parking space per bedroom plus two spaces for the household; requires state HSS 197 permits; in R1/R2: maximum two bedrooms and 15-day stay limit; R3 has no stated bedroom/stay limit for B&B.
      • Boarding House (rooming units without meals) and Room House (rooming units without cooking): Conditional use in R1/R2/R3; ≤ 6 persons maximum; parking: 1 stall/2 beds.
      • Hotel/Motel: Permitted by-right in CG; use in R3 likely through mixed-use.
    • Commercial district (CG):
      • General business uses; lodging uses (hotels/motels) permitted; multifamily dwellings permitted; parking: hotels/motels require 1 stall per guestroom and 1 stall per three employees; minimum setbacks when abutting residential/conservancy/urban transitional: front none; sides/rear 20 feet; height 45 feet.
    • Administration and enforcement:
      • Zoning Administrator responsibilities (Article H).
      • Zoning Board of Appeals (Article H).
      • Zoning permits and certificates (Article I).
    • Parking and loading standards:
      • Off-street parking space dimensions: 8.5 feet by 19 feet; 7-foot vertical clearance; collective/shared parking allowed in nonresidential districts; surfacing requirements for >5 spaces (bituminous or cement concrete).
      • Yard parking restrictions: No parking in the first 20 feet of front yard or within 3 feet of side yard adjacent to right-of-way in residential and certain nonresidential districts.
  • Clark County (county-level)
    • No county-specific STR regulations provided. Proceed at the city level unless county licensing applies; confirm with local authorities for any county health or zoning overlay.
  • State of Wisconsin
    • Lodging permits and sanitary standards are governed by Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter HSS 197 (Tourist Rooming Houses). Neillsville’s ordinance references the necessity of state lodging permits and local Town/City/Village permits for B&Bs.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website) for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

  • City of Neillsville – Zoning and Permits

  • Wisconsin – Lodging Permits (HSS 197)

    • Agency: Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
    • Note: The specific regional office contact is not provided in the source.

Links to Source Pages (Available)

Note: If you plan to operate a B&B in R1/R2 with two bedrooms and guest stays limited to 15 days, ensure owner-occupancy and state lodging compliance. If you plan to operate a lodging use in CG, the by-right hotel/motel allowances, parking ratios, and state permits will govern operations; a rooming/boarding model in R1/R2/R3 can also be viable subject to CUP approval and the six-person cap.

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Neillsville

Market Saturation Score

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

Photos of Neillsville

Overview of Neillsville

Neillsville is a small city in central Wisconsin and the county seat of Clark County, with a population of roughly 2,400 residents. Tucked into a landscape of working dairy farms, hardwood forests, and meandering streams, it carries the relaxed character of a rural Midwestern county seat, where locally owned shops, a historic downtown square, and a long agricultural tradition set the everyday rhythm. The town serves as a quiet gateway to the outdoor recreation country of central Wisconsin, including the broad woodlands that spill eastward toward the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The nearest sizable city is Eau Claire, about 50 miles to the northwest, while larger regional centers like Madison and the Twin Cities lie several hours away.

The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, located just outside Neillsville, is one of the most meaningful stops in the region. Set on a hilltop, the memorial honors veterans and their families through stone walls, plazas, and walking paths that visitors can explore at their own pace. It draws reflection-minded travelers year-round and is reached within a few minutes of the city center, making it a natural anchor for any stay.

The Black River is one of the area's defining natural features, winding past Neillsville and continuing south through miles of lightly developed countryside. Paddlers put in along the river for canoe and kayak trips, while anglers come for smallmouth bass and panfish. Public landings and roadside access points make it easy for visitors to spend a half-day or longer on the water without venturing far from town.

Just to the south of Neillsville, the Black River State Forest sprawls across more than 67,000 acres of pine plantations, sandstone bluffs, and backcountry trails. It is roughly a 30-minute drive from the city and offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and winter skiing, with campgrounds that extend the outdoor season well beyond summer.

A short drive northwest brings travelers to the Levis Mound Trail System, a network of purpose-built mountain biking and hiking loops that has earned a regional reputation among cyclists. The trailhead sits in the heart of Clark County's rolling timberland, and a half-day ride here is easily paired with an evening back in Neillsville.

Neillsville makes a compelling base for short-term rentals precisely because it sits at the intersection of small-town calm and wide-open outdoor country. Visitors can return from paddling the Black River, hiking in the state forest, or visiting a veterans memorial to a quiet, walkable downtown with familiar Wisconsin hospitality, all while remaining within easy reach of Eau Claire and the broader Driftless and Central Sands regions.

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