Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Spring Green, WI?

• Spring Green does not have any standalone local short‑term rental ordinance. There are no licensing or registration requirements specific to short‑term rentals at the Village level.
• Short‑term rentals are therefore governed by state law and applicable Village zoning. Bed and breakfast establishments (B&Bs) are a defined and conditionally permitted use in several zoning districts (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, and B‑1/B‑3 conditional use tables). If your operation resembles a B&B, it must go through Village conditional‑use and permit processes. If it is not operating as a B&B (or other lodging use), verify with the Zoning Administrator whether any portion of your activity requires Village approvals.
• State obligations apply in all cases: obtain the appropriate lodging license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and comply with Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) requirements for sales and room tax collection and remittance. See Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines for details.

Important note for investors: You must confirm with the Spring Green Zoning Administrator how your specific property and proposed lodging operation fit within Village zoning and whether any conditional use, zoning permit, or other Village approvals are required before hosting.

1) How to start a short‑term rental business in Spring Green, WI

Step 1 — Confirm zoning compliance

• Confirm your property’s zoning district and whether lodging or B&B use is permitted or conditionally permitted.
• In R‑1, R‑2, and R‑3 residential districts, B&Bs are conditionally permitted subject to:
  • Meeting all requirements and licenses under Wisconsin Statutes and Wisconsin Administrative Code; and
  • Compliance with Wisconsin Administrative Code requirements for multiple‑family residences regarding smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire escapes.
• In B‑1 and B‑3, “Hotels” are conditional uses (distinct from B&Bs). If you propose a multi‑room transient lodging in a business or highway commercial district, discuss approval pathways with Village staff.
• Contact the Zoning Administrator for site‑specific guidance and any required zoning or conditional use permits.

Step 2 — Obtain state lodging license(s)

• Determine which state license(s) apply based on the nature of your operation:
  • Tourist rooming house license (if you rent lodging to tourists/transients in rooms within a private home, or in a property with ≤4 rooms for tourists/transients).
  • Bed and breakfast establishment license (if operating a B&B with guestrooms, meals, and lodging services under Wis. Stat. § 97.01(1g)).
  • Hotel/Motel/Restaurant license may be required if you operate lodging with food/beverage service or meet hotel definitions under Wis. Stat. § 97.01(7) and Wis. Admin. Code ch. ATCP 72.
• Apply via DATCP. You will need:
  • Completed application(s).
  • Proof of sanitation/water approval from your local health department (as applicable).
  • Fire safety, smoke alarm, and related safety documentation (e.g., compliance with Wis. Admin. Code chs. ATCP 75/79 for smoke alarms and ATCP 70 series requirements).
  • Other supporting documents as required by DATCP for your license type.
• Maintain current licenses and post required safety and license documentation onsite.

Step 3 — Register for tax collection and remittance

• Register your business for Wisconsin sales tax and any other required DOR accounts (e.g., marketplace facilitator registration if you use platforms).
• Collect and remit:
  • Wisconsin state sales tax (currently 5% unless you hold a valid seller’s certificate of exemption).
  • County room tax (commonly called “room tax” or “transient occupancy tax” by counties).
• File returns and remit taxes according to DOR schedules.
• DOR also regulates lodging platform registration (wisconsin.gov) and lodging advertising posting requirements for room tax. Platform compliance and postings are required; consult DOR for the latest specifics.

Step 4 — Operational readiness

• Safety and code: Install and maintain smoke alarms and CO detectors per Wisconsin law; confirm fire extinguisher placement as required by code for B&Bs and applicable lodging uses.
• Insurance: Secure appropriate property and liability coverage.
• Resale certificates and local taxes: If using lodging platforms, confirm whether a resale certificate applies and ensure county room tax is collected and remitted.
• Local business registration: If required by Village policy, obtain any local business license (none specific to STRs; follow Village clerk guidance).

2) Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Zoning approvals
  • Zoning permit (for new construction/exterior work/use changes as applicable).
  • Conditional use approval (for B&Bs in residential districts; for hotels in B‑1/B‑3).
  • Design Review (if within Downtown Design District overlay; Downtown Design Committee review may be required).
• State lodging licenses (DATCP)
  • Tourist rooming house license (ATCP 70 series).
  • Bed and breakfast establishment license (ATCP 70 series; see Wis. Stat. § 97.01(1g)).
  • Hotel/motel/restaurant license (ATCP 72) if operating as a hotel or providing food/beverage.
  • Health/sanitation approvals; fire safety, smoke alarm, and egress documentation per ATCP 75/79 and related codes.
• Taxes and registration (Wisconsin DOR)
  • Sales tax registration.
  • Marketplace facilitator registration (if applicable).
  • County room tax registration and remittance.
  • Compliance with DOR lodging advertising and tax collection rules for platforms and operators.
• Documentation to keep onsite and available
  • Posted licenses and safety signage.
  • Local contact and emergency information.
  • Guest cancellation/refund policies per platform or your house rules.
  • County and state tax receipts and filings (retain as required by law).

Note on seasonality: Wisconsin lodging is year‑round. There are no blanket seasonal‑rental exemptions from licensing or tax obligations.

3) Specific regulations: city, county, and state

City (Spring Green)

• Zoning ordinance
  • Jurisdiction covers the Village and designated extraterritorial areas.
  • Zoning permits required for construction, exterior work, and changes in use; conditional uses require Plan Commission review and public hearing.
  • B&Bs are conditionally permitted in R‑1, R‑2, and R‑3 residential districts and are conditional uses in B‑1; “Hotels” are conditional uses in B‑1 and B‑3.
  • Downtown Design District (DD overlay) requires design review by the Downtown Design Committee prior to development activity.
  • SR‑1 Special Design Review overlay includes flood‑related development standards (foundations, floor elevations, and restrictions on below‑grade living space in designated parcels).
  • Violations: penalties of $50–$400 plus costs per day of violation; possible injunctive relief.

County

• Room tax applies in Wisconsin counties. Register with Sauk County for room tax collection and remittance. Confirm the current room tax rate and reporting schedule with Sauk County.

State (Wisconsin)

• Licensing (DATCP)
  • Tourist rooming house (ATCP 70 series).
  • Bed and breakfast establishment (ATCP 70 series).
  • Hotel/motel/restaurant (ATCP 72).
• Health and safety
  • Compliance with ATCP 70 series (lodging); ATCP 75 (smoke alarms); ATCP 79 (egress); and related codes for fire safety and sanitation.
• Taxes (DOR)
  • Register for sales tax and file per DOR schedules.
  • Collect and remit room tax to Sauk County.
  • DOR lodging platform registration and advertising rules apply to platforms and hosts.

4) Contact information (phone, email, website)

Spring Green (Village of Spring Green)

• Village of Spring Green (Village Hall)
  • Address: 154 N Lexington St, Spring Green, WI 53588
  • Phone: (608) 588‑2571
  • Website: www.vi.springgreen.wi.gov/
• Zoning Administrator / Village Plan Commission (Village)
  • Address: 154 N Lexington St, Spring Green, WI 53588
  • Phone: (608) 588‑2571
  • Email: Contact via Village Hall or Plan Commission public channels
• Downtown Design Committee (Village)
  • Address: 154 N Lexington St, Spring Green, WI 53588
  • Phone: (608) 588‑2571

Sauk County (room tax)

• Sauk County
  • Phone: (608) 355‑3200
  • Website: saukcountywi.gov (room tax information)

State of Wisconsin

• DATCP (lodging licenses)
  • Phone: (608) 224‑5012
  • Website: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx
  • Licensing portal/forms: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/LicensingRegistries/Licensing.aspx
• DOR (sales tax, lodging platform registration, room tax rules)
  • Phone: (608) 266‑2776
  • Website: www.revenue.wi.gov/

5) Links to source pages

• Spring Green Zoning Ordinance: www.vi.springgreen.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=5970&locid=166
• AirROI market data and regulation overview for Spring Green: www.airroi.com/report/world/united-states/wisconsin/spring-green
• Checkmate Rentals Spring Green overview (state lodging permit requirement, sales/room tax obligations): www.checkmaterentals.com/airbnb-management/spring-green-wisconsin

Compliance reminder

• The local code and tax environment can change. Always confirm with the Zoning Administrator, DATCP, and DOR before listing or operating. If you are uncertain whether your proposed operation is a “bed and breakfast” or a different lodging type, seek a formal determination and obtain necessary approvals prior to hosting.