Pepin, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Pepin, WI

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Pepin, Wisconsin, subject to specific licensing requirements and regulations. The Village of Pepin has enacted a comprehensive licensing ordinance (Chapter 115) specifically governing short-term rental operations. This ordinance, effective May 18, 2022, establishes the Village as an officially regulated STR market with defined pathways for legal operation.

Short-term rentals are considered a conditional use in residential zoning districts and a permitted use in commercial zoning districts and low commercial impact areas. The Village's approach balances the economic benefits of STR tourism with protecting the character and stability of residential neighborhoods.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Pepin?

Pepin hosts earn a median $30,958/year with $256 ADR and 45% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $55,563+ per year.

See the full Pepin market breakdown

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

Step 1: Preliminary Assessment

Zoning Verification: Confirm your property's zoning classification (residential, commercial, or low commercial impact area)
Property Suitability: Assess whether your property meets minimum space and safety standards
Market Analysis: Consider the local tourism market and seasonal demand patterns

Step 2: Application Process

Initial License Application: File with Village Clerk on official forms (must be property owner)
Planning Commission Review: Complete public hearing process (required for residential zone STRs)
Inspection Completion: Obtain required building and fire code inspections
State Licensing: Secure Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House License

Step 3: Operational Setup

Host Representative Designation: Assign local contact person available within 30 minutes
Insurance Procurement: Obtain coverage for personal injury and property damage claims
Tax Registration: Set up room tax collection and reporting with Village Clerk

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Licenses and Permits

Village-Level Requirements:

Short-Term Rental License ($500 initial fee, $300 annual renewal)
Planning Commission Approval (public hearing required for residential zones)
Building and Fire Code Inspection Certificate (annual requirement)
Room Tax Registration (Chapter 112 Hotel/Motel Room Tax compliance)

State-Level Requirements:

Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House License (Wis. Stat. 254.64)
Seller's Permit or Consumer's Use Tax Certificate (Wisconsin Department of Revenue)

Required Documentation for Application

State Lodging Establishment Inspection Form (dated within one year, with proof of payment)
Building Floor Plan with requested maximum occupancy designation
Site Plan including designated on-site parking spaces
House Manual for renters (must include operational rules and contact information)
Fire Hazard Inspection Report (from authorized Village Fire Inspector, no deficiencies)

Operational Requirements

Guest Register: Maintain records of all occupants with true names and addresses (accessible for inspection for minimum 1 year)
Insurance Documentation: Evidence of coverage against personal injury and property damage claims
Local Contact Information: Host Representative details filed with Village Clerk

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning and Use Classification

Residential Zones: Conditional use status, requires Planning Commission approval through public hearing process
Commercial Zones: Permitted use without conditional use requirement
Low Commercial Impact Areas: Permitted use status

Occupancy and Use Limitations

Maximum Occupancy: Limited to Wisconsin Administrative Code requirements or Conditional Use Permit specifications
Stay Duration: Fewer than 30 days (definition requirement for STR classification)
Prohibited Accommodations: No RVs, campers, tents, or temporary lodging arrangements permitted on-site beyond authorized occupancy

Operational Standards

License Display Requirements:

Village license must be prominently displayed inside and near main entrance door of each STR unit

Required Guest Information Package:

Emergency services contact information
Property owner/Host Representative contact details
Village Noise Ordinance (Section 130.07) information
Village Nuisance Ordinance (Section 92.03) information
Property boundary map
Occupancy limits documentation
Parking expectations (per Village Parking Ordinance and Planning Commission decision)

Pet Policy:

Pets allowed only if restricted to property boundaries
Compliance required with Village Animal Ordinance (Chapters 90.03-90.12)

Tax and Financial Compliance

Room Tax Obligation: Must comply with Village Hotel/Motel Room Tax Ordinance (Chapter 112)
Quarterly Reporting: Required using Village's Quarterly Room Tax Report Form
Tax Payment Timeline: Timely payments must be made to Village Clerk

Inspection and Renewal Requirements

Annual License Renewal: Due July 31st each year
Fire Inspection: Annual inspection by Village Fire Code inspector required
Building Code Compliance: No outstanding orders or violations permitted
Financial Standing: No outstanding Village fees, taxes, or forfeitures allowed

Enforcement and Penalties

Unlicensed Operation:

$500 fine for advertising and/or operating without Village license
Each day of continued operation constitutes separate violation
Second offense: One-year license suspension for property owner
Third offense: Permanent license suspension for property owner

License Revocation Triggers:

Failure to pay property taxes or Village debts
Failure to make Room Tax payments
Three or more police service calls for nuisance activities within 12-month period
Failure to remedy annual Village building/fire inspection deficiencies
Failure to comply with Village Ordinances or pay violation fees

Contact Information for Local Authority

Village of Pepin Clerk's Office

Phone: (715) 442-2461
Address: 508 2nd St., Pepin, WI 54759
Business Hours: 8:00am – 4:00pm (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday)
Closure Days: Closed to public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Holidays

Planning Commission

Application Review: Responsible for STR license approval through public hearing process
Contact: Through Village Clerk's Office

Fire Department

Inspection Services: Responsible for fire code inspections and hazard assessments
Contact: Through Village government main line

Links to Source Pages

Primary Sources:

Related Ordinances:

Forms and Applications:

Additional Resources:

FAQ - May 2022

Important Notes for Investors:

All fees are non-refundable
Licenses are non-transferrable and expire with property title transfer
Preliminary reviews available for $200 fee to assess feasibility
Public hearing process for residential zones requires 250-foot notification radius
Village maintains master list of all licensed STRs and mapping of locations
Planning Commission provides annual recommendations to Village Board regarding STR density and location management

This comprehensive regulatory framework positions Pepin as a well-structured STR market with clear pathways for legal operation while maintaining neighborhood character and community welfare protections.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Pepin

Pepin is a small village situated in Pepin County, in western Wisconsin, perched on the eastern shore of the Mississippi River. With a population of roughly 800 residents, the community has a quiet, small-town character defined by river bluffs, a walkable historic core, and a slow pace that draws visitors seeking an escape from busier destinations. It is best known as the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the Little House series, and serves as a gateway to the Lake Pepin region of the upper Mississippi River Valley. Pepin lies approximately 80 miles southeast of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, across the river from Minnesota, making it a feasible weekend trip for Twin Cities travelers.

Just steps from the village center, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and a replica of the "Little House in the Big Woods" cabin attract fans of the children's series, who come to see artifacts from Wilder's childhood in the 1860s and 1870s. The museum is a short walk from the riverfront and is the focal point of an annual Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant held on the village's edge each summer. A short drive west of the village brings visitors to Lake Pepin, a wide, naturally formed lake on the Mississippi created by sediment from the Chippewa River. Stretching roughly 21 miles from above Red Wing, Minnesota, down to below the Chippewa's mouth, the lake is popular for sailing, fishing for walleye and sturgeon, and for the dramatic limestone bluffs that line its eastern Wisconsin shore.

A few minutes north of Pepin, Maiden Rock rises several hundred feet above the lake, offering one of the most photographed overlooks in the region. The bluff is tied to a Dakota legend and is part of a state natural area with hiking trails along its spine. Continuing north along the river, the village of Stockholm — about a 15-minute drive — has a cluster of galleries, craft shops, and small restaurants that have made it a recognized arts destination. Across the river in Minnesota, the town of Wabasha is home to the National Eagle Center, where bald eagles congregate in winter, and it is reachable in roughly half an hour by car, with a seasonal ferry connecting Reads Landing to the Wisconsin side during warmer months.

Pepin's location along the Great River Road places it within a National Scenic Byway that follows the Mississippi from its headwaters to the Gulf, and the surrounding bluff country invites cyclists, motorcyclists, and leaf-peepers each autumn. Its compact size, literary heritage, and access to the river and lake together make it an appealing base for short-term rentals, particularly for visitors looking to combine outdoor recreation, small-town charm, and a tangible connection to one of America's most-read frontier stories.

Pepin, Wisconsin

Challenging To Investors

STR Regulations for Pepin, Wisconsin