Lake Geneva Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Annual City of Lake Geneva STR license

Renewal: Each year, the Annual License must be renewed by January 31.

Application Process

The following information shall be provided on an annual basis, before issuance of said Annual License: Completed City of Lake Geneva short-term rental application, which includes the property owner's name, address, and phone number; the designated operator's name (as defined in Subsection (8)(y)(1)(c)(vii)), address, and phone number; and the period of operation of up to 180 days in a 365-day period, which must be consecutive; A current floor plan for the STR to include room dimensions (length, width, and ceiling height), bedding in each sleeping room including the mattress size of each bed, and a site plan of the property to include property dimensions showing on-site parking spaces, all bedrooms with ceiling heights, and trash storage areas; Requested maximum occupancy that complies with Wis. Adm. Code § ATCP 72.14 for hotels, motels, and tourist rooming houses, as outlined in Subsection (8)(y)(1)(c)(vi). General Building Code inspection by the City, and submittal of official Building Code inspection report with no outstanding compliance orders remaining; Proof of valid property and liability insurance for the dwelling unit; State of Wisconsin tourist rental house license; City of Lake Geneva room tax permit; City of Lake Geneva general business license; Payment of an administrative fee, set by City Council resolution, to cover the costs to the City of administering the above. The City of Lake Geneva Annual License shall be issued with the completion of the above requirements and compliance with the City's Room Tax Ordinance.

Tax Obligations

Rental Limits

Lake Geneva annual day limit: The total number of days of operation within any 365-day period of an Annual License shall not exceed 180 consecutive days (hereinafter "rental season"). During the days of the Annual License that is outside of the rental season ("rental off-season") the rental booking period shall be a minimum of 29 days.

Occupancy & Density Limits

The maximum number of occupants shall not exceed the limits set forth in Wis. Adm. Code § ATCP 72.14 for hotels, motels, and tourist rooming houses. Every sleeping room shall be of sufficient size to afford at least 400 cubic feet (12 cubic meters) of air space for each occupant over 12 years of age and 200 cubic feet (six cubic meters) for each occupant 12 years and under. Every sleeping room shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet (2.13 meters). The maximum number of occupants will be determined and listed on the Annual License issued by the City of Lake Geneva.

Zoning & Restrictions

Permitted by right. All zoning districts where "residential dwellings" are permitted, as that term is defined in § 66.1014, Wis. Stats. An STR shall only be located as an accessory land use within zoning districts that allow residential dwellings, as that term is defined in § 66.1014, Wis. Stats.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• General Building Code inspection by the City, and submittal of official Building Code inspection report with no outstanding compliance orders remaining
• The maximum number of occupants shall not exceed the limits set forth in Wis. Adm. Code § ATCP 72.14 for hotels, motels, and tourist rooming houses.
• Designated operators and owners are encouraged but not required to install the Knox-Box® systems on their STRs.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• STRs found to be operating without the proper permits will be cited $1,000 per day
• Penalties for major violations of this Subsection (8)(y) are based on the number of violations in a rolling 12-month period as follows:
• First: $250 citations and court costs (citations are per day of violation).
• Second: $500 citations and court costs (citations are per day of violation) and suspension of Annual License for three months.
• Third: $1,000 citations and court costs (citations are per day of violation) and suspension of Annual License for one year.
• Fourth: Permanent revocation of Annual License and future ability to get an Annual License for the STR property.

Platform Requirements

The STR shall not be advertised for availability in any form of media until the required State of Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House License and the City of Lake Geneva Annual License have been issued. All listings, websites, posts, and advertisements ("rental marketing") must display the Lake Geneva STR Number, except for when the advertisement includes a web link/URL and the Lake Geneva STR Number is displayed on the page presented to the user when viewing the web link/URL.

Compliance Checklist

1. Meet the safety requirements
   • General Building Code inspection by the City, and submittal of official Building Code inspection report with no outstanding compliance orders remaining
   • The maximum number of occupants shall not exceed the limits set forth in Wis. Adm. Code § ATCP 72.14 for hotels, motels, and tourist rooming houses.
   • Designated operators and owners are encouraged but not required to install the Knox-Box® systems on their STRs.
2. Apply for the permit
   • Payment of an administrative fee, set by City Council resolution, to cover the costs to the City of administering the above.
   • How to apply: The following information shall be provided on an annual basis, before issuance of said Annual License: Completed City of Lake Geneva short-term rental application, which includes the property owner's name, address, and phone number; the designated operator's name (as defined in Subsection (8)(y)(1)(c)(vii)), address, and phone number; and the period of operation of up to 180 days in a 365-day period, which must be consecutive; A current floor plan for the STR to include room dimensions (length, width, and ceiling height), bedding in each sleeping room including the mattress size of each bed, and a site plan of the property to include property dimensions showing on-site parking spaces, all bedrooms with ceiling heights, and trash storage areas; Requested maximum occupancy that complies with Wis. Adm. Code § ATCP 72.14 for hotels, motels, and tourist rooming houses, as outlined in Subsection (8)(y)(1)(c)(vi). General Building Code inspection by the City, and submittal of official Building Code inspection report with no outstanding compliance orders remaining; Proof of valid property and liability insurance for the dwelling unit; State of Wisconsin tourist rental house license; City of Lake Geneva room tax permit; City of Lake Geneva general business license; Payment of an administrative fee, set by City Council resolution, to cover the costs to the City of administering the above. The City of Lake Geneva Annual License shall be issued with the completion of the above requirements and compliance with the City's Room Tax Ordinance.
3. Register for tax
   • Wisconsin sales tax and County tax: register with Wisconsin Department of Revenue
   • Room Tax: register with City Treasurer, City of Lake Geneva
4. Renew your permit
   • Renewal period: Each year, the Annual License must be renewed by January 31.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run a short-term rental in Lake Geneva?

Yes.

Permit: Annual City of Lake Geneva STR license

How to apply: The following information shall be provided on an annual basis, before issuance of said Annual License: Completed City of Lake Geneva short-term rental application, which includes the property owner's name, address, and phone number; the designated operator's name (as defined in Subsection (8)(y)(1)(c)(vii)), address, and phone number; and the period of operation of up to 180 days in a 365-day period, which must be consecutive; A current floor plan for the STR to include room dimensions (length, width, and ceiling height), bedding in each sleeping room including the mattress size of each bed, and a site plan of the property to include property dimensions showing on-site parking spaces, all bedrooms with ceiling heights, and trash storage areas; Requested maximum occupancy that complies with Wis. Adm. Code § ATCP 72.14 for hotels, motels, and tourist rooming houses, as outlined in Subsection (8)(y)(1)(c)(vi). General Building Code inspection by the City, and submittal of official Building Code inspection report with no outstanding compliance orders remaining; Proof of valid property and liability insurance for the dwelling unit; State of Wisconsin tourist rental house license; City of Lake Geneva room tax permit; City of Lake Geneva general business license; Payment of an administrative fee, set by City Council resolution, to cover the costs to the City of administering the above. The City of Lake Geneva Annual License shall be issued with the completion of the above requirements and compliance with the City's Room Tax Ordinance.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Lake Geneva?

Initial fee (Annual City of Lake Geneva STR license): Payment of an administrative fee, set by City Council resolution, to cover the costs to the City of administering the above.

Renewal period (Annual City of Lake Geneva STR license): Each year, the Annual License must be renewed by January 31.

Does Lake Geneva limit rental days or stay length?

Maximum days per year: The total number of days of operation within any 365-day period of an Annual License shall not exceed 180 consecutive days (hereinafter "rental season"). During the days of the Annual License that is outside of the rental season ("rental off-season") the rental booking period shall be a minimum of 29 days.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Lake Geneva?

Wisconsin sales tax: 5%

County tax: 0.50%

Room Tax: 8 %

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Lake Geneva?

Penalty: STRs found to be operating without the proper permits will be cited $1,000 per day

Penalty: Penalties for major violations of this Subsection (8)(y) are based on the number of violations in a rolling 12-month period as follows:

Penalty: First: $250 citations and court costs (citations are per day of violation).

Penalty: Second: $500 citations and court costs (citations are per day of violation) and suspension of Annual License for three months.

Penalty: Third: $1,000 citations and court costs (citations are per day of violation) and suspension of Annual License for one year.

Penalty: Fourth: Permanent revocation of Annual License and future ability to get an Annual License for the STR property.