| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Wisconsin state room tax applies; local room tax rate per municipality (Town of Bayfield room tax licensing and reporting requirements remain in effec |
| Night / Day Cap | None specified; STR defined as rental for fewer than 29 consecutive days |
| Minimum Stay | Fewer than 29 consecutive days (definition); no local minimum stay imposed beyond state law |
| Permit Fee | State/County Lodging License (DATCP via Bayfield County Health Dept): 1 unit = $929.44 (Pre-Inspection $592.00 + County Fee $296.00 + State Fee $41.44 |
| Penalties | Maximum penalty of $500/month for each month an STR operates without a valid permit (Town of Bayfield ordinance, now repealed but historically relevan |
| Occupancy Limit | Cannot exceed POWTS design capacity or ATCP 72 limits, whichever is more restrictive; occupant = person present more than 14 hours in 24-hour period o |
Short-term rental operations in Bayfield, Wisconsin are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are State/County Lodging License (DATCP via Bayfield County Health Dept): 1 unit = $929.44 (Pre-Inspecti.
Short-term rental operators in Bayfield should be aware of these tax obligations: Wisconsin state room tax applies; local room tax rate per municipality (Town of Bayfield room tax licensing and reporting requirements remain in effect after town STR ordinance repeal).
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Bayfield include: Rental day cap: None specified; STR defined as rental for fewer than 29 consecutive days. Occupancy limit: Cannot exceed POWTS design capacity or ATCP 72 limits, whichever is more restrictive; occupant = person present more tha. Minimum stay: Fewer than 29 consecutive days (definition); no local minimum stay imposed beyond state law.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Bayfield: Bayfield County Ordinance Sec. 13-1-35 (adopted July 30, 2024) governs STRs in unincorporated county areas; cannot obtain permit for 2+ STR units on a parcel that cannot be subdivided under the Bayfie. Density rules: No STR permit for multiple units on non-subdividable parcels (County Ord. Sec. 13-1-35).
Hosts who fail to comply with Bayfield's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Maximum penalty of $500/month for each month an STR operates without a valid permit (Town of Bayfield ordinance, now repealed but historically relevant); county-level forfeitures under Sec. 13-1-35 fo.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Bayfield: Marketplace providers must file room tax returns with municipalities imposing room tax; STR permits non-transferable except as per ATCP 72.04(3) exemptions.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Bayfield with proper registration and permits. Town of Bayfield repealed its STR licensing ordinance on March 10, 2025; STR operators no longer need a town-issued license but must still comply with county Health Dept. (DATCP) TRH license and maint
Yes. Bayfield requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Bayfield are subject to the following tax obligations: Wisconsin state room tax applies; local room tax rate per municipality (Town of Bayfield room tax licensing and reporting requirements remain in effect after town STR ordinance repeal).
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Bayfield may face enforcement. Maximum penalty of $500/month for each month an STR operates without a valid permit (Town of Bayfield ordinance, now repealed but historically relevant); county-level forfeitures under Sec. 13-1-35 for violations.
Dual-track licensing: (1) State TRH lodging license via Bayfield County Health Dept.; (2) Bayfield County Planning & Zoning STR permit (for unincorporated areas outside City of Bayfield/Washburn/Town of Pilsen). Town of Bayfield no longer issues its own STR license as of March 2025. Wisconsin DATCP license valid up to 3 years with property inspection.
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