Rice Lake, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Overview: STR Status in Rice Lake, WI

Short-term rentals are allowed in the Town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, but with significant restrictions. The Town has implemented Ordinance 23-103, which allows STRs with a "7-day minimum stay, 180-day maximum annual operation" rule. However, the City of Rice Lake does NOT allow short-term rentals in residential zoning districts - lodging is only permitted in Mixed Use, Mixed Commercial, and Commercial South zones. Investors must verify whether their property is within Town of Rice Lake jurisdiction or City of Rice Lake jurisdiction, as regulations differ substantially.

Wisconsin's 2017 Right to Rent Law provides a statewide baseline that prohibits political subdivisions from banning rentals of 7-30 consecutive days, but allows local restrictions that don't conflict with state law.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Rice Lake?

Rice Lake hosts earn a median $24,284/year with $268 ADR and 46% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $37,014+ per year.

See the full Rice Lake market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Rice Lake

Step 1: Jurisdiction Verification

Critical first step: Determine whether your property falls under Town of Rice Lake or City of Rice Lake jurisdiction:

Town of Rice Lake: Allows STRs with restrictions under Ordinance 23-103
City of Rice Lake: STRs prohibited in residential zoning; only allowed in Mixed Use, Mixed Commercial, and Commercial South zones

Step 2: Property Compliance Assessment

For Town of Rice Lake properties:

Verify property can accommodate required parking (maximum renters divided by 4)
Ensure site plan can show designated parking and fire pit areas
Confirm property meets safety requirements for tourist rooming house classification
Assess if operator can meet the "within 30 miles" requirement

Step 3: Licensing and Permits

Obtain Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House License (state requirement for >10 rental nights annually)
Submit Town of Rice Lake STR Permit Application with all required documentation
Pay applicable fees

Step 4: Operational Setup

Establish booking systems ensuring minimum 7-day stays (if off-site operator)
Create guest behavior guidelines as required by ordinance
Set up record-keeping systems for guest registry
Develop marketing that complies with advertisement requirements

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

State-Level Requirements

Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House License
- Required if operating >10 nights annually
- Cost: $110 annually
- One-time pre-inspection fee: $300
- Issued by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Town of Rice Lake Requirements

STR Permit Application including:
- Property information and digital platform listings
- Bedroom count and maximum occupancy calculation
- Parking space documentation
- Site plan showing parking and fire pit areas
- Liability insurance documentation
Owner/Operator Documentation:
- Driver's license numbers for all property owners
- Contact information for all parties
- Two items showing operator's primary residence is:
  - The STR property itself, OR
  - Immediately adjacent to STR property, OR
  - Within 30 miles of STR property
Operational Compliance Documentation:
- Guest behavior guidelines posting plan
- Guest registry system setup
- Quarterly reporting procedure establishment

Specific Regulations

Town of Rice Lake (Ordinance 23-103)

Stay Duration Requirements

On-site operators: No minimum stay requirement specified
Off-site operators: Minimum 7 consecutive days, maximum 30 consecutive days

Annual Operation Limits

Maximum 180 days per 365-day period for off-site operators
Consecutive day operation requirement applies

Occupancy Limits

Maximum occupancy: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests
Must appear in all advertisements

Operator Availability

On-site operators must reside at the property during rentals
Off-site operators must be available at all times during guest stays
Off-site operators must live within 30 miles of the property

Parking Requirements

Maximum renters divided by 4 equals required parking spaces
Must be designated on site plan
Maximum renters calculation: (# bedrooms × 2) + 2

Advertisement Requirements

Minimum stay duration must be listed
Maximum occupancy limit must be listed
Number of designated parking spaces must be listed
All digital platforms must be disclosed

Guest Management Requirements

Post guest behavior guidelines (outlined in STR ordinance section 4d)
Maintain guest registry with:
- Guest's true name
- Contact information (phone, mailing address, or email)
- Dates of stay
- Whether operator was present or absent
- Registry must include current year and previous year data

Reporting Requirements

Provide quarterly reports to Clerk including:
- Dates of stay
- Number of guests per stay
- Operator presence/absence
- All advertising locations

City of Rice Lake

STRs PROHIBITED in residential zoning districts
Allowed only in: Mixed Use, Mixed Commercial, and Commercial South zones

Barron County Requirements

Occupancy limit: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests (applies regardless of jurisdiction)

Wisconsin State Requirements

2017 Right to Rent Law baseline:
- Political subdivisions cannot prohibit rentals for 7-30 consecutive days
- Can limit annual rental days beyond 180 days
- Can require consecutive day operation within 365-day period
- Must notify clerk before renting
- Cannot limit rentals to certain times of year

Contact Information

Town of Rice Lake (STR Authority)

Phone: (715) 234-8087
Email: townofricelake@gmail.com
Mailing Address: 1830 Macauley Ave., Rice Lake, WI 54868
Website: townofricelake.com/
Working Hours:

Monday - Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Thursday and Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Key Department: Building Inspector - for compliance questions
Contact: Through Town Clerk at (715) 234-8087

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Tourist Rooming House Licensing
Phone: (608) 224-4923
Website: datcp.wi.gov/

Source Links

Official Government Sources

News and Analysis Sources

Regulatory Context

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection - Tourist Rooming House Licensing
Wisconsin 2017 Right to Rent Law (statewide baseline regulations)

Investment Advisory: Given the complexity of different jurisdictions within the Rice Lake area and ongoing regulatory evolution, investors should verify current regulations with both Town of Rice Lake authorities and City of Rice Lake planning departments before property acquisition or operational changes. The proposed ordinance was under legal review as of May 2023, and further amendments may occur.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Rice Lake

Rice Lake is a small city in Barron County in northwestern Wisconsin, home to roughly 8,500 residents. Set among the wooded lakes and farmland of the Indianhead Country region, the community has the relaxed, outdoorsy character of a classic northern Wisconsin getaway, with a walkable downtown, a popular summer festival scene, and a steady rhythm of seasonal visitors drawn by the surrounding water and forests. The city sits about 65 miles north of Eau Claire and roughly 100 miles northeast of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, making it a natural gateway for travelers heading north toward the lake country of Sawyer, Bayfield, and Douglas counties.

The lake itself is the heart of the community. Rice Lake covers several thousand acres and is well known among anglers for its walleye, northern pike, bass, and especially musky fishing, with a number of public launches and resort docks ringing the shoreline. The water draws boating families in summer and ice fishermen once the ice sets in, and the lakeside parks and city beach are favorite gathering spots during the warm months. Just south of Rice Lake, Ojibwa State Park sits along the Red Cedar River, roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown. The park offers camping, hiking, swimming, and a notable disc golf course, and it is a popular base for exploring the broader Ice Age trail and forest landscape that defines this corner of the state.

To the south, the small town of Chetek, about 15 miles away, is known for the chain of six interconnected lakes it surrounds, drawing boaters, anglers, and a long-running hydroplane boat race each summer that brings a noticeable bump in visitors to the area. The broader region is laced with county and ATV trails, small inland lakes, and thousands of acres of state forest, giving visitors a quiet, year-round outdoor playground that feels far more remote than its distance from major Midwest population centers would suggest.

For short-term rental investors, Rice Lake offers an appealing mix of small-town affordability, easy access from the Twin Cities metro, and a four-season draw built on fishing, boating, snowmobiling, and family lake trips. Owners benefit from a steady summer peak driven by lake tourism and outdoor recreation, with growing interest in shoulder-season stays tied to hunting, snow sports, and fall color travel in the surrounding northwoods, all within a comfortable drive of one of the Upper Midwest's largest urban markets.