Rental of a whole or partial residence to visitors for less than a month is commonly known as a Short-Term Rental (STR). Its legal term in Wisconsin is a Tourist Rooming House (TRH). Due to the growing popularity of house sharing and vacation rental websites that match visitors with residential host locations, many Wisconsin residents are offering short-term rentals in their homes.

 Wisconsin allows the rental of one to four sleeping accommodations, which can be rooms of a home or an entire home.

All Tourist Rooming Houses must be licensed through the Southwest Suburban Health Department and must inspected annually to verify the operation meets all requirements of Wisconsin law related to general public health.

1. Zoning: Check with your local municipality for zoning requirement.

2. Review the rules and regulations:

   • Review the Room Tax Registration form (PDF).

   • Review the Short Term Rental Guidance PDF brochure.

   • Complete the Tourism Rooming House (PDF) checklist.  The checklist shows the main items covered during a Tourist Rooming House health inspection.

   • Review the Wisconsin Short Term Rentals Law (PDF).

3. Apply for the license and schedule an inspection: Complete the License and Scheduling application for your jurisdiction.  After the approved pre-inspection, you will receive the license and be able to rent out sleeping accommodations.

   • West Allis Application

   • West Milwaukee Application

   • Greenfield Application

   • Greendale Application