| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | 8% room tax (per WI State Statute, local ordinance, and Door County Tourism Zone Intergovernmental Agreement); Wisconsin state sales tax also applies |
| Night / Day Cap | 180 days per 365-day period for accessory dwelling units (ADUs); no explicit cap stated for primary STR properties in Ch. 9.05 |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay mandated at city level beyond Wisconsin Act 59 statewide floor (rentals of fewer than 7 consecutive days may be prohibited per state l |
| Permit Fee | City STR license: $100/year (annual renewal); DATCP Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license also required (state fee ~$41.44 + applicable county/inspectio |
| Penalties | Not explicitly stated in available sources; license suspension/revocation possible for violations; civil forfeitures may apply under general municipal |
| Occupancy Limit | Limited by POWTS (septic/holding tank) design capacity per ATCP 72 and Door County Sanitarian requirements |
Short-term rental operations in Sturgeon Bay, 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 City STR license: $100/year (annual renewal); DATCP Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license also require.
Short-term rental operators in Sturgeon Bay should be aware of these tax obligations: 8% room tax (per WI State Statute, local ordinance, and Door County Tourism Zone Intergovernmental Agreement); Wisconsin state sales tax also applies.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Sturgeon Bay include: Rental day cap: 180 days per 365-day period for accessory dwelling units (ADUs); no explicit cap stated for primary STR properties in Ch. Occupancy limit: Limited by POWTS (septic/holding tank) design capacity per ATCP 72 and Door County Sanitarian requirements. Minimum stay: No minimum stay mandated at city level beyond Wisconsin Act 59 statewide floor (rentals of fewer than 7 consecutive days.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Sturgeon Bay: STR ordinance is part of the City's Zoning Code (adopted Feb. 16, 2016 Common Council meeting); ADU STRs capped at 180 days/year; entrances and structural requirements apply to ADU conversions. Density rules: Not explicitly specified in available ordinance text; over 100 active STRs citywide as of Jan. 2024.
Hosts who fail to comply with Sturgeon Bay's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Not explicitly stated in available sources; license suspension/revocation possible for violations; civil forfeitures may apply under general municipal code.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Sturgeon Bay: Marketplace providers must file monthly room tax returns with the DCTZC; platforms (e.g., Airbnb) may remit on behalf of hosts.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Sturgeon Bay with proper registration and permits. Dual-permit system: (1) City of Sturgeon Bay TRH permit (Ch. 9.05, Municipal Code); (2) Door County Tourism Zone Commission lodging permit. ADU owners must notify the city clerk in writing when the fi
Yes. Sturgeon Bay requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Sturgeon Bay are subject to the following tax obligations: 8% room tax (per WI State Statute, local ordinance, and Door County Tourism Zone Intergovernmental Agreement); Wisconsin state sales tax also applies.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Sturgeon Bay may face enforcement. Not explicitly stated in available sources; license suspension/revocation possible for violations; civil forfeitures may apply under general municipal code.
City STR license fee of $100 is among the lowest in Door County. Licenses expire June 30 annually. More than 100 active STRs in city as of early 2024. ADU STRs face a 180-consecutive-day cap per 365-day period.
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