Short-Term Rentals
How to apply to run a Short-Term Rental Property In the City of De Pere
The short-term rental of property is possible in the City of De Pere, per certain City of De Pere and Wisconsin Act 59 regulations. It looks easy when you go online and can quickly list your bedroom, loft, apartment, house, condo, etc., for rent on a multitude of private sites. However, you must also file a ‘Short-Term Rental of Property’ application form with the City of De Pere and obtain a license from the De Pere Health Department.
The following summary will help you define if your property qualifies as a short-term rental property. The summary will also remind you of some of the steps and regulations that must be adhered to in order to remain a short-term rental property in good standing with the City of De Pere.
Is the De Pere application and license for all land in the De Pere zip code (54115)?
The application and license applies to properties within the De Pere City Limits. The De Pere zip code extends into many of our adjacent communities. When looking up your property parcel number, see if it begins with the letters “ED-…” or “WD-…” to ensure that your property is within the City of De Pere.
What properties qualify?
Properties with a residential dwelling in the following zoning districts may qualify:
Residential Districts-
- R1-
- R2-
- RM-
Note: Short-term rentals in the R1- and R2- districts may not offer more than one rental stay in 7 consecutive days.
Mixed-Use Districts-
- MX1
- MX2
- MX3
- GX1
- GX2
Note: Short-term rentals in the MX1, MX2, andMX3 districts must be located above the first floor.
All other districts-
- Prohibited.
If you are not sure what your zoning district is, go to the following City of De Pere mapping website and turn on the ”zoning” layer, found within the 'Layers' list. If your property is a residential zoning district or a mixed-use zoning district you may qualify.
https://gis.de-pere.org/PublicDIME/GeoPRIME.html
Can I use my backyard cottage or my secondary suite as a short-term rental?
Backyard cottages may not be used as short-term rentals.
Secondary suites may not be rented for periods less than 90 consecutive days. Thus, secondary suites are not considered short-term rentals.
What if I rent to the same renter for longer than 28 consecutive days?
If the same renter is staying for longer than 28 consecutive days, like a month-to-month lease or a year-to-year lease, then a short-term rental license is not required for that renter.
If renters intermittently stay for longer and shorter than 28 consecutive days, then a short-term rental application form and license are required for the renters that stay shorter than 28 consecutive days.
Does my short-term renter need to pay a room tax?
Yes! In Brown County you are responsible for collecting the 10% Room Tax from your short-term renter and you are responsible for forwarding the 10% Room Tax to the Corporate Trust Coordinator at the address identified on Section 4 of the application form. The 10% Room Tax cannot be paid at the City Hall offices. Please note that many short-term rental websites do not collect the 10% Room Tax for you as part of the online booking process.
Do I need to register with the City Health Department?
Yes! The short-term rental application form, if approved, will allow you to apply for a license with the City Health Department.
After the application is approved through Development Services, please contact the De Pere Health Department to obtain a Tourist Rooming House (TRH) License. The following is a summary of the associated Health Department fees:
- Pre-inspection Level 1 is a one time $151 fee that covers the pre-licensing inspection.
- License is an annual $129 fee.
A total of $280 is due with the Health Department application. The License year runs July 1st through June 30th. All TRH licenses must be renewed annually before June 30th. Please reach out to De Pere Health Department at deperehealth@deperewi.gov.
Do I need a property inspection before booking my first short-term rental?
Yes! The initial pre-inspection, referenced above, is performed by the Health Department. The City strongly recommends that you review your property for the following safety features prior to the inspection:
- Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Working fire extinguishers.
- Two safe forms of emergency building exits.
- Properly ventilated furnaces, water heaters, fire places, and stoves.
- Proper exterior exhaustion vents for bathrooms and showers.
- Good working electrical, heating and air conditioning systems.
Are there a maximum number of days that I can book my short-term rental?
A short-term rental means renting to the same short term renter for up to 28 consecutive days. It is OK to rent for more consecutive days, but your property then is no longer considered a short-term rental and other regulations may apply.
Are there a maximum number of times (frequency) that I can book my short-term rental?
Short-term rentals in the R1- and R2- districts may not offer more than one rental stay in 7 consecutive days.
Short-term rentals in the RM-, MX1, MX2, MX3, GX1, and GX2 districts may not offer more than one stay per day.
Are there other things I need to check before applying?
Be sure to check if your property restrictive covenants, Home Owner’s Association (HOA), landowner, landlord, etc., allow or prohibit short-term rentals. Some prohibit this type of use and you are responsible for confirming if it is allowed before applying with the City of De Pere as the City does not verify that for you. You are responsible for your property so be sure to double-check.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection website has a 4-page summary guide of Wisconsin laws for short term rentals. Below is a link to the document:
https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/ShortTermRentalGuidance.pdf
If you feel you have addressed all of the above, you may qualify to have a short-term rental property in the City of De Pere!
