Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are permitted in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. Under Wisconsin state law (Wis. Stat. § 66.1014), short-term rentals of residential dwellings for 7 consecutive days or longer cannot be prohibited by municipalities. Soldiers Grove currently has no publicly available city-specific STR regulations, and the property would operate under Crawford County's jurisdiction and general Wisconsin state requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Soldiers Grove?

Soldiers Grove hosts earn a median $18,174/year with $168 ADR and 44% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $23,571+ per year.

See the full Soldiers Grove market breakdown

Market Context

Soldiers Grove sits within Crawford County's broader short-term rental market. As of May 2024, Crawford County had 152 short-term rentals listed on Airbnb, VRBO, or both platforms. Of these units, 53 were located within municipal limits and 99 in rural townships. In Soldiers Grove specifically, the 2022 median home value was $67,080, representing one of the more affordable communities in Crawford County relative to median household income.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Soldiers Grove

Step 1: State Requirements

Wisconsin State Law Compliance:

Obtain a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) license as a "tourist rooming house" (Wis. Stat. § 66.1014(2)(d)2.a)
Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) if annual sales exceed $2,000
Collect and remit state and county sales taxes, local room tax, and applicable special taxes

Step 2: Local Requirements

Crawford County Oversight:

Crawford County lacks comprehensive zoning, with floodplain and shoreland zoning serving as primary development guides
Building permits are required regardless of STR operation
Consider contacting Crawford County Zoning Administrator for current requirements

Step 3: Business Setup

Secure appropriate insurance coverage
Establish property management protocols (county recommendations suggest 30-minute response time)
Create rental agreements and house rules
Set up tax collection systems

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State Level

DATCP Tourist Rooming House License
- Contact: Wisconsin DATCP at datcp.wi.gov or (608) 224-5012
- Subject to inspection requirements and fees
- Must be obtained before operation
Wisconsin DOR Registration
- Required if annual sales exceed $2,000
- Collect state sales tax (5%), county sales tax, and local room tax
- Register online at revenue.wi.gov
Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 72 Compliance
- Tourist rooming house regulations
- Health and safety standards
- Inspection requirements

County Level

Building Permit
- Crawford County Building Inspection Department
- Required for all new STR operations
- Contact for current permit requirements
Licensing
- Currently no county-wide STR licensing requirement exists
- Monitor for future county action

Municipal Level

Soldiers Grove Requirements
- No specific STR ordinances found
- Contact Village Clerk for any local permits
- Compliance with general municipal codes

Specific Regulations at City, County, and State Levels

State Regulations (Wisconsin Act 59 - Wis. Stat. § 66.1014)

What Municipalities CANNOT Do:

Prohibit rentals for 7 consecutive days or longer
Restrict 7-29 consecutive day rentals

What Municipalities CAN Do:

Require local permits/licenses
Limit total rental days to no fewer than 180 days within any 365-day period (for rentals of 6-29 days)
Regulate health, safety, and welfare aspects
Require property managers within specified distance
Set insurance requirements
Establish parking, occupancy, and zoning compliance

Crawford County

Current Status:

No comprehensive zoning ordinance
Floodplain and shoreland zoning regulations apply
Building permits required through county planning and zoning

Recommendations Under Consideration:

License requirements for all STRs
Property manager within 30-minute response time
Durational limits distinguishing residential from commercial use
Potential restrictions on publicly funded housing units

Soldiers Grove

Current Status:

No specific STR regulations identified
Operates under general municipal code
No separate licensing requirements found

Recommendation:

Contact Village Clerk (contact information needed) to verify current requirements

Contact Information

State Agencies

DATCP (Tourist Rooming House Licensing)

Website: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/TouristRoomingHouseLicensing.aspx
Phone: (608) 224-5012

Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Website: revenue.wi.gov
Phone: (608) 266-2776

County

Crawford County Planning & Zoning

Address: 131 W. Bluff St., Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Phone: (608) 326-0270
Website: crawfordcountywi.gov

Municipal

Village of Soldiers Grove

Address: Soldiers Grove, WI
Contact: Village Clerk (phone number needed)

Links to Source Pages

Primary Documents

Wisconsin Statute 66.1014 - Short-term rental regulations
Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 72 - Tourist rooming house regulations
DATCP Tourist Rooming House Licensing
Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association STR Guidelines

County Resources

Investment Considerations

Market Strengths

Affordable entry costs: $67,080 median home value
Established STR presence: 35% of county's STRs are in municipalities
Tourist attraction potential near Mississippi River

Regulatory Environment

Favorable state law: 7+ day rentals cannot be prohibited
Minimal local restrictions currently in place
Flexibility for future development

Key Challenges

County recommendations may lead to future restrictions
Property management requirements likely to be imposed
Floodplain/shoreland restrictions may apply depending on location

Important Note: This analysis is based solely on provided content. Contact local authorities directly for the most current regulations and requirements before establishing any STR operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Soldiers Grove

Soldiers Grove is a small village in Crawford County, Wisconsin, with a population of roughly 500 residents. Tucked into the Driftless Area, the unglaciated corner of the Upper Midwest known for its steep bluffs, deep valleys, and winding rivers, the village has earned a quiet reputation as a pioneer in renewable energy, often highlighted as one of the first communities in the United States to be powered largely by solar. It serves as a low-key gateway to outdoor recreation along the Kickapoo River and the surrounding hill country, and sits about 45 miles southeast of La Crosse, the nearest sizeable city.

Just outside the village, Wildcat Mountain State Park follows the Kickapoo River through a steep, forested stretch of the Driftless hills. The park offers hiking trails, canoeing, camping, and views of sandstone bluffs that drop toward the river, and is roughly a 15-minute drive from Soldiers Grove. It's a popular spot in every season, drawing visitors for fall color, trout fishing, and quiet walks beneath the bluffs.

A short drive east brings travelers to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, a large natural area along the Kickapoo River between La Farge and Ontario that protects roughly 8,500 acres of woodlands, prairies, and river bottomland. The reserve is known for its trail network, paddling, horseback riding, and a visitor center with exhibits on the area's natural and cultural history. From Soldiers Grove, it's generally about 30 to 40 minutes by car depending on the route.

To the west, the Mississippi River lies within easy reach, with the Great River Road passing through neighboring Crawford County towns and the river bluffs offering some of the most photographed overlooks in the region. Crossings at nearby Prairie du Chien connect travelers to Iowa's Effigy Mounds National Monument and Pikes Peak State Park, both of which combine Native American history with dramatic river views and are roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Soldiers Grove.

For short-term rental owners, Soldiers Grove offers an appealing combination: a small, distinctive community with a recognized identity, an unspoiled natural setting in the Driftless Area, and quick access to state parks, a scenic river, and a stretch of the Mississippi. Its proximity to La Crosse and the broader Kickapoo Valley tourism circuit gives it a steady base of outdoor-oriented visitors, while its quiet village character appeals to travelers looking for an authentic Driftless experience away from the busier gateway towns.