Port Washington, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Port Washington, WI. The city operates under a low-regulation environment for STRs, with primary oversight at the state level through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). While Port Washington does not have specific municipal STR ordinances, operators must comply with Wisconsin state regulations governing tourist rooming houses.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Port Washington

Step 1: Obtain State Licensing

Begin by securing a Wisconsin tourist rooming house license from DATCP. This license is required for operating short-term rentals offering sleeping accommodations to tourists or transients for pay.

Step 2: Tax Registration and Collection

Apply for a seller's permit to collect state sales tax
Register to collect and remit county and local room taxes (rates vary by location)
Maintain detailed records of all rental income and collected taxes

Step 3: Property Compliance

Ensure your property meets all applicable building, fire, and safety standards as outlined in state regulations.

Step 4: Business Operations

Develop pricing strategies based on seasonal demand patterns
Implement guest screening and communication protocols
Establish maintenance and cleaning procedures
Consider professional property management services

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

State Requirements

Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House License (DATCP)
- Annual fee: $110
- One-time pre-inspection fee: $300
- Covers 1-4 rental units
- Licenses expire June 30 annually
- License period: July 1 through June 30 of following year

Tax Registration

Seller's Permit for state sales tax collection
Room Tax Registration for local occupancy taxes

Insurance

Homeowner's liability insurance or business liability insurance
Property insurance covering rental operations

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

Wisconsin State Regulations (Wis. Stat. § 66.1014)

Prohibition Provision: Municipalities cannot prohibit STR rentals for 7 consecutive days or longer
Durational Limits: For rentals of 6-29 consecutive days, municipalities may limit total days to no fewer than 180 days within any 365-day period
Local Authority Retained: Municipalities can regulate other aspects of STRs provided regulations are "not inconsistent" with state provisions
Licensing Requirement: STR operators must obtain local licenses if required by municipal ordinance

Administrative Code (Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 72)

Establishes standards for tourist rooming houses
Covers building safety, sanitation, and operational requirements
Defines tourist rooming house as lodging places offering sleeping accommodations to tourists/transients for pay
Excludes hotels, motels, and private boarding houses not accommodating tourists

Port Washington Municipal Level

No specific STR ordinances identified
Must comply with general zoning and property use regulations
Subject to standard building codes and safety requirements

Ozaukee County Level

No specific county-level STR regulations identified
General county ordinances apply regarding property use and safety

Contact Information

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Address: 2811 Agriculture Dr.
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911

Phone: (608) 224-5012
TTY: 711 or (800) 947-3529

Licensing Questions:
Phone: (608) 224-4923
Email: datcpdfslicensing@wisconsin.gov

General Questions:
Email: datcpdfrsrec@wisconsin.gov

Website: datcp.wi.gov/pages/programs_services/touristroominghouses.aspx

Port Washington City Hall

[Note: Specific contact information for Port Washington city licensing was not provided in the source materials]

Source Pages

Important Considerations for Investors

Market Performance

Based on current data, Port Washington demonstrates:

Moderate occupancy rates (43.3%)
Strong revenue growth (10% year-over-year)
Seasonal demand patterns with peak activity in summer months
Average daily rates around $193

Regulatory Environment

The low-regulation environment provides operational flexibility, but operators must stay informed about potential future municipal ordinances as other Wisconsin communities have begun implementing STR-specific regulations.

Compliance Strategy

Given the current regulatory framework, successful STR operations in Port Washington should focus on:

Strict adherence to state licensing and tax requirements
Proactive community relations to prevent nuisance complaints
Maintaining high property standards to support continued favorable regulatory treatment

This guide is based on available information as of the provided sources. STR regulations can change rapidly, and investors should verify current requirements with local authorities before making investment decisions.

Port Washington is the county seat of Ozaukee County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on Lake Michigan's western shore east of Interstate 43, the community is a suburb in the Milwaukee metropolitan area 27 miles (43 km) north of the City of Milwaukee. The city's artificial harbor at the mouth of Sauk Creek was dredged in the 1870s and was a commercial port until the early 2000s. The population was 12,353 at the 2020 census. When French explorers arrived in the area in the 17th century, they found a Native American village at the mouth of Sauk Creek—the present location of historic downtown Port Washington. The United States Federal Government forcibly expelled the Native Americans in the 1830s, and the first settlers arrived in 1835, calling their settlement "Wisconsin City" before renaming it "Port Washington" in honor of President George Washington. In the late 1840s and early 1850s, the community was a candidate to be the Washington County seat. Disagreements between municipalities and election fraud prevented Washington County from having a permanent seat of government until the Wisconsin State Legislature intervened, creating Ozaukee County out of the eastern third of Washington County and making Port Washington the seat of the new county. For much of its history, Port Washington has been tied to the Great Lakes. Early settlers used boats to transport goods including lumber, fish, and grains, although the community's early years were marred by shipwrecks, which led the U.S. Federal Government to construct Port Washington Harbor in 1871. Commercial fishing prospered in Port Washington until the mid-20th century, and beginning in the 1930s, the Port Washington Generating Station used the harbor to receive large shipments of coal to burn for electricity. The commercial harbor closed in 2004 when the power station switched to natural gas for fuel, but the community maintains an active marina for recreational boaters. In the 21st century, Port Washington celebrates its lacustrine heritage with museums, public fish fries, sport fishing derbies, and sailboat races.

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