Wausau, Wisconsin Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Wausau, WI?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Wausau, Wisconsin. There are no city ordinances prohibiting short-term rental operations, and Wisconsin state law allows short-term rentals as "Tourist Rooming Houses" (TRH) with appropriate licensing and permits.

Important Distinction: Wausau's existing rental registration program applies specifically to residential rental units with lease terms of 30 days or greater. This is separate from short-term rental regulations and does not restrict STR operations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Wausau?

Wausau hosts earn a median $31,986/year with $185 ADR and 61% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $45,309+ per year.

See the full Wausau market breakdown

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

Starting an STR business in Wausau requires a multi-step licensing process at the state, county, and city levels. Follow this sequential approach:

Step 1: Obtain State-Level Licensing

Tourist Rooming House License from Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Properties with 1-4 rooms require TRH license
Properties with 5+ rooms require hotel license
Annual license fee: $110
Pre-inspection fee: $300
Valid from July 1 to June 30 annually

Step 2: Secure County-Level Health Permit

Marathon County Tourist Rooming House License through the Health Department
Annual inspection required for health and safety compliance
Contact Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1900

Step 3: Register for State Taxes

State Seller's Permit (if renting outside major platforms like Airbnb/Vrbo)
State Sales Tax Registration (5% state rate)
Room Tax Registration through Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Step 4: Complete Local Requirements

Wausau Rental Registration if applicable (for 30+ day leases)
City Room Tax Registration if required by local ordinances

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

State-Level Requirements:

Wisconsin DATCP Tourist Rooming House License
State Seller's Permit
State sales tax registration
Proof of property ownership or lease agreement
Federal EIN and SSN/ITIN documentation
$110 annual license fee + $300 pre-inspection fee

County-Level Requirements (Marathon County):

Marathon County Health Department TRH License
Annual health inspection approval
Compliance with Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 72 (Hotels/Motels) and ATCP 73 (Bed & Breakfasts)
Proof of insurance coverage
$172 license fee + $250 pre-inspection fee

Local Requirements:

Wausau Rental Registration ($10 per building, if leasing 30+ days)
Local room tax registration
Property maintenance compliance
Zoning compliance verification

Standard Documentation Required:

Driver's license
Federal EIN
Property ownership proof or lease
Property insurance documentation
Site plan and floor plan
Inspection reports
Business records and guest registry system

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

State Regulations (Wisconsin):

Definition: Tourist Rooming House includes all lodging places offering sleeping accommodations to tourists/transients for pay
Licensing: Annual state licensing required for properties with 1-4 rooms
Inspection: Pre-inspection and ongoing compliance with state health codes
Tax Obligations: 5% state sales tax + local taxes
No Rental Day Limits: State law prohibits local governments from limiting rentals to fewer than 180 days annually

County Regulations (Marathon County):

Health Inspections: Annual inspections covering utensil washing, bedding, room sizes, windows, locks, bathrooms, waste disposal
Safety Requirements: Compliance with fire safety, smoke/CO detector regulations
Licensing Display: License must be visibly posted in the rental property
Operational Standards: Must meet health and safety standards for transient accommodations

Local Regulations (Wausau):

Rental Registration: $10 building fee for residential rentals (30+ day leases)
Property Maintenance: Standard city property maintenance codes apply
Zoning Compliance: STRs must comply with local zoning ordinances
No Specific STR Ordinances: Wausau has not enacted specific short-term rental regulations

Health and Safety Standards:

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguisher requirements
Maximum occupancy limits
Parking regulations
Waste management protocols
Kitchen and bathroom safety standards

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Wausau Inspections & Zoning (City Level)

Address: 407 Grant Street, Wausau, WI 54403
Phone: 715-261-6780
Fax: 715-261-4102
Email: inspections@wausauwi.gov
Website: www.wausauwi.gov/your-government/inspections/rental-properties/rental-registration

Marathon County Health Department (County Level)

Address: 1000 Lake View Drive, Suite 100, Wausau, WI 54403
Phone: 715-261-1900 (also TDD)
Fax: 715-261-1901
Email: MCHDEnvironmentalHealth@co.marathon.wi.us
Website: www.marathoncounty.gov/services/licenses-permits/lodging

Wisconsin Department of Revenue (State Tax Registration)

Website: www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/TaxPro/2021/Homeowners-and-Individuals-Selling-Short-Term-Lodging.aspx

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Website: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/TouristRoomingHouses.aspx

Important Source Links

Note for Investors: While Wausau allows short-term rentals without specific restrictive ordinances, compliance with state and county health/safety requirements is mandatory. The relatively straightforward regulatory environment makes Wausau an attractive market for STR investment, but proper licensing and ongoing compliance are essential for successful operations. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with any STR investment.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Wausau

Wausau, located in Marathon County in central Wisconsin, is the largest city in north-central Wisconsin with a population of roughly 39,000 residents. It has the feel of a mid-sized regional hub that mixes the practicality of a working business community with the easy access to forests, rivers, and hills that define the surrounding landscape. Long recognized as a gateway to Wisconsin's Northwoods, the city sits along the Wisconsin River and serves as a base for visitors drawn to year-round outdoor recreation, seasonal festivals, and a quietly vibrant arts scene. The nearest major cities are several hours in any direction: Madison lies roughly three hours to the south, Milwaukee about three and a half hours southeast, and the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area approximately three hours to the west.

One of the most distinctive natural features in the region is Rib Mountain, a Hill of Precambrian quartzite that rises several hundred feet above the surrounding plain and ranks among the oldest exposed rock formations in the world. Just a few minutes' drive from downtown Wausau, Rib Mountain State Park offers miles of hiking and biking trails, a campground, and some of the broadest overlooks in the state. Capping the mountain is Granite Peak, Wisconsin's largest ski resort, which transforms the area into a winter destination with runs for beginners through experts, while warmer months bring mountain biking, hiking, and a summer adventure course.

For a more cultural experience, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum is a free-admission fine arts museum that has built an international reputation around its annual "Birds in Art" exhibition, complemented by a thoughtful permanent collection and year-round programming. Set on landscaped grounds near the Wisconsin River, the museum is a quiet counterpoint to the outdoor recreation that defines much of the Wausau experience.

Downtown Wausau itself has been revitalized around a Riverwalk that follows the Wisconsin River through the central business district, connecting restaurants, breweries, the Center for the Visual Arts, and an outdoor performance venue that hosts a popular summer concert series. Within a short drive, paddlers and hikers can also reach the Dells of the Eau Claire and other parks tucked into the surrounding county forestland.

For short-term rental operators, Wausau's appeal lies in its four-season draw. Winter brings skiers to Granite Peak, summer delivers hikers, cyclists, and paddlers to Rib Mountain and the river, and the steady flow of regional business travel, weddings, and arts visitors fills the quieter shoulder months. With a strong mix of natural attractions, cultural amenities, and easy highway access to several major Midwestern metros, the city offers a diversified lodging market that does not depend on any single season or visitor type.