Tomahawk, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Legality of Short-Term Rentals in Tomahawk, WI

Short-term rentals are allowed in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. However, operators must comply with a multi-layered regulatory framework that includes city zoning, county permitting, and state lodging laws. Tomahawk does not have a specific short-term rental ordinance; instead, operations must adhere to general zoning regulations and obtain required licenses and permits from Oneida County and the State of Wisconsin.

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

Starting an STR involves three critical steps: securing local zoning approval, obtaining state licensure, and handling municipal requirements. The process ensures compliance with health, safety, and zoning standards.

Secure Zoning Approval (Oneida County Planning & Zoning):
- Action: Apply for a Tourist Rooming House Administrative Review Permit (TRH-ARP). This is mandatory even if the property was previously licensed.
- Rationale: Confirms the property is zoned for STR use and meets local land-use requirements.
- Source: Oneida County Planning & Zoning Documents (Permit application linked on source page).
Obtain State Lodging License (Oneida County Health Department):
- Action: Apply for a Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license through the Oneida County Health Department (OCHD), acting as the agent for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
- Rationale: Required by Wisconsin law for all STRs (ATCP 72).
- Source: OCHD License Application & Safety Checklist
Handle Municipal Requirements:
- Action: Contact your specific municipality (Tomahawk or the relevant Town) for any local permits, business licenses, or room tax registration.
- Rationale: Requirements and taxes vary by jurisdiction.
- Source: Municipalities in Oneida County (Contact info for Tomahawk and surrounding towns).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Operators must obtain the following:

Tourist Rooming House - Administrative Review Permit (TRH-ARP): Issued by Oneida County Planning & Zoning. Required for zoning compliance. (Source: Oneida County Guide)
Tourist Rooming House (TRH) Lodging License: Issued by Oneida County Health Department (as DATCP agent) under Wisconsin State Lodging Code ATCP 72. This is the core legal authorization to operate. (Source: Oneida County Guide & State Code ATCP 72)
Local Municipality Permit/License: May be required by Tomahawk or local towns. (Source: Oneida County Guide - Step 2)
Room Tax Registration: Mandatory registration with the local municipality for tax collection. (Source: Oneida County Guide - Step 2)
Compliance with ATCP 72: Adherence to Wisconsin's comprehensive lodging code covering health, safety, and operational standards for Tourist Rooming Houses. (Source: ATCP 72)
Compliance with City Zoning Code: Ensuring the property use aligns with Tomahawk's zoning districts and provisions (e.g., potential relation to Bed & Breakfast regulations). (Source: Tomahawk Zoning Code)

Specific Regulations

Regulations apply at the City, County, and State levels.

City of Tomahawk:
- Zoning Compliance: STRs must be a permitted use in the property's zoning district under the Tomahawk Zoning Code. Operators must consult the Zoning Code to confirm their property's status.
- Bed & Breakfast Reference: Section 17-17 of the Zoning Code specifically regulates "Bed and Breakfast Establishments," which may provide relevant guidance for non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in certain zones.
- Parking and Site Standards: All STRs must comply with general zoning provisions for parking (Section 17-08), site plan approval (Section 17-09), and other general standards.
Oneida County (Unincorporated Areas):
- TRH-ARP Permit: Mandatory administrative review by County Planning & Zoning to ensure land use compatibility.
- State Lodging License: Administered locally by the Oneida County Health Department for all STRs, whether inside or outside Tomahawk city limits.
State of Wisconsin (All Locations):
- Mandatory Licensing: All STRs are classified as "Tourist Rooming Houses" and must be licensed under ATCP 72 by the county health department.
- Sales & Room Tax: Operators must collect and remit Wisconsin state sales tax. Local room tax must also be collected and remitted to the appropriate municipality. (Source: Summer Guide & Oneida County Guide)
- Lodging Code (ATCP 72): Establishes detailed health and safety requirements, including sanitation, food service (if applicable), safety features, and operational standards. (Source: ATCP 72)
- Room Tax Requirements: Wisconsin law authorizes local municipalities to impose a room tax. Hosts must register with the relevant municipality (Tomahawk or Town) to collect and remit this tax. (Source: Oneida County Guide - Step 2)

Contact Information for Local Authority

The primary contacts for licensing and regulation are:

For Zoning Permits (TRH-ARP):
- Entity: Oneida County Planning & Zoning Department
- Website: Planning & Zoning Documents & Permits
- (Contact details are available on the county website. The site provides information on the TRH-ARP permit application process).
For State Lodging License (TRH):
- Entity: Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) - Environmental Health Program
- Phone: 715.369.6111
- Email: [email protected] (Antispam-protected email visible on source page)
- Website: Food/Lodging Licensing & Inspections
- Physical Address: 100 West Keenan St, Rhinelander, WI 54501
- Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri
For Municipal Permits & Room Tax (Tomahawk):
- Entity: City of Tomahawk (Clerk's Office)
- Website: Tomahawk City Website (Municipal contact info is found here. See also the list of municipalities linked below).
- General Contact: Municipalities in Oneida County (Provides links to all local government websites and contact info within Oneida County, including Tomahawk and surrounding Towns).

Links to Source Pages

Vacation Rental Management Overview: https://www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/tomahawk-wisconsin
Oneida County Health Department Guide: https://publichealth.oneidacountywi.gov/guide-to-starting-your-home-as-a-vacation-rental/
Oneida County Health Department License Application (2025): https://publichealth.oneidacountywi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-OCHD-ATCP-Recreational-License-Application-1.21.25.pdf
Oneida County Planning & Zoning Department: https://www.co.oneida.wi.us/departments/pz/public-documents/
Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 72 (Tourist Rooming House): https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/atcp/055/72.pdf
City of Tomahawk Zoning Code: https://www.cityoftomahawkwi.com/vertical/sites/%7B92CBFAD3-200B-4DA9-A326-4B2FE20BC760%7D/uploads/Zoning_Code.pdf
Municipalities in Oneida County: https://www.co.oneida.wi.us/government/municipalities/

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Tomahawk?

Tomahawk hosts earn a median $25,848/year with $273 ADR and 47% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $38,552+ per year.

See the full Tomahawk market breakdown

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Ask the AI Advisor about Tomahawk

Tomahawk is a small city in Lincoln County in north-central Wisconsin, with a population of roughly 3,000 residents. It sits at the confluence of the Wisconsin River and the Tomahawk River, and it carries the laid-back, outdoorsy character typical of Wisconsin's Northwoods. Long known as a destination for fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling, it functions as a gateway to thousands of acres of forest, lakes, and trails. The nearest major city is Wausau, which lies approximately 40 miles to the south.

The Wisconsin River flows through the heart of the community, widening locally into Lake Mohawksin, an impoundment of roughly 1,500 acres that anchors the town's summer recreation scene. Boating, fishing for walleye and muskellunge, and waterfront parks draw visitors throughout the warmer months, while the river itself remains a popular route for canoeing and kayaking trips. In winter, the same landscape shifts toward snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing, giving the area a genuinely four-season rhythm.

A short drive north and east of Tomahawk brings travelers into the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, a vast expanse of hardwood and conifer forest laced with lakes, rivers, and trails. The forest is a year-round draw for paddlers, hikers, mountain bikers, and wildlife watchers, and it offers a scale of wilderness that is increasingly rare in the upper Midwest.

Tomahawk is also famously tied to the Hodag, a mythical beast from late-nineteenth-century Wisconsin folklore, and the town has embraced the legend with public art, an annual celebration, and various tributes scattered through the community. Each September, the Tomahawk Fall Ride—one of the larger motorcycle rallies in the upper Midwest—brings thousands of riders into the area, filling local restaurants, campgrounds, and lodging for several days at a time.

For short-term rental investors, Tomahawk offers a profile that fits the Northwoods template well. Its year-round calendar of outdoor activities, its location along a major river and within easy reach of a national forest, and its recognizable seasonal events give it a steady stream of visitors without the crowds or nightly rates of Wisconsin's larger resort destinations. Owners can lean into summer lake traffic, fall color tours, the motorcycle rally, and a long winter season built around snowmobiling and ice fishing, all within an easy drive of Wausau and the broader central Wisconsin travel market.