Executive Overview

Whether Short-Term Rentals Are Allowed: Based on a thorough review of the Village of Butternut Municipal Ordinance Book (www.butternutwi.com/PDF/ORDINANCE%20BOOK.pdf), no specific regulations addressing short-term rentals, vacation rentals, or transient accommodations are provided in the current municipal code. This means that short-term rentals are not explicitly prohibited by the village ordinances, but there are also no specific permitting requirements or regulations for STR operations within Butternut.

Since no city-specific STR regulations exist, operators would need to comply with any applicable state-level Wisconsin regulations and general zoning requirements while operating under the oversight of local authorities.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Butternut

Without specific STR ordinances, starting a short-term rental business in Butternut follows a standard process:

1. Property Zoning Verification

• Confirm that your property is zoned appropriately for short-term rental use
• Contact the Village Clerk/Treasurer to verify zoning compliance
• Ensure your property meets all residential use requirements

2. Business Registration

• Register your business with Ashland County
• Obtain any required state business licenses
• Consider registering for Wisconsin tax collection obligations

3. Property Preparation

• Ensure the property meets all safety standards
• Install required smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
• Verify compliance with Wisconsin rental property requirements
• Consider liability insurance coverage for short-term rental operations

4. Platform Compliance

• Register with major short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.)
• Ensure your listing complies with platform policies
• Set up proper payment processing and tax collection

5. Local Compliance

• Adhere to all existing municipal ordinances that may apply
• Ensure compliance with parking regulations (see Chapter 4)
• Respect noise ordinances and community standards

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Based on the municipal code provided:

Village-Level Requirements

• Building Permits: All building permits are issued through the Village Clerk/Treasurer (Chapter 2.06(2)(d)(4))
• Zoning Compliance: Verify zoning with the Village (contact local authorities)

County/State-Level Requirements

• Wisconsin State Business License: May be required depending on business structure
• Wisconsin Tax Registration: Required for collecting/remitting state taxes
• Ashland County Business Registration: Register with county authorities

Safety Requirements

• Fire Safety Compliance: Subject to Fire Department regulations (Chapter 5)
• Water/Sewer Compliance: Must comply with utility regulations (Chapter 7)
• Cross-Connection Inspection: May be required for commercial properties (Section 7.01(10))

Specific Regulations by Level

Village of Butternut

Since no specific STR regulations exist in the current ordinances, general municipal codes apply:

Parking Requirements (Chapter 4):

• No parking on State Highway 13 within village limits at any time
• Snow removal parking restrictions (2 AM - 6 AM, November 1 - April 1)
• Abandoned vehicle regulations

Fire Safety (Chapter 5):

• Fire Chief serves as Fire Inspector
• False fire alarms prohibited
• Equipment usage restricted to fire fighting within village limits

Utilities (Chapter 7):

• Cross-connection control program
• Water service regulations
• Sewer service compliance required

Ashland County

Check county-level regulations for any additional requirements:

• County zoning ordinances
• County health department requirements
• County business licensing

State of Wisconsin

Wisconsin has minimal state-level restrictions on STRs but requires:

• Wisconsin Tax Registration for tax collection
• Compliance with Wisconsin Fair Housing Act
• Adherence to state building and safety codes

Contact Information for Local Authority

Village of Butternut Contact Information

Village Clerk/Treasurer (Primary Contact)

• Phone: Not provided in municipal code
• Email: Not provided in municipal code
• Office Location: Village Hall (address not specified in provided documents)
• Duties: Issues building permits, handles business licenses, serves as information center
• Note: All applications for licenses and permits go through this office

Key Village Officials:

• Village President: Contact for zoning matters and board approval
• Fire Chief: Serves as Fire Inspector for safety compliance
• Superintendent of Public Works: Handles permits and inspections

Village Hall Meeting Schedule:

• Regular Village Board meetings: Second Monday of each month at 7 PM
• Special meetings may be called as needed

Recommended Contacts

1. Village Clerk/Treasurer: First contact for all permitting questions
2. Fire Chief: For safety inspection requirements
3. Ashland County: For county-level business registration and zoning
4. Wisconsin Department of Revenue: For tax registration requirements

Limitations and Recommendations

Information Gaps

• No specific STR regulations found in provided ordinances
• No contact phone numbers or email addresses provided
• Building permit fee structure not detailed
• Zoning maps and specific zoning requirements not provided

Recommended Next Steps

1. Direct Contact: Call the Village Hall to inquire about current STR policies
2. Zoning Verification: Confirm property zoning allows short-term rental use
3. Platform Consultation: Check with major STR platforms for local requirements
4. Legal Review: Consider consulting with a local attorney familiar with Wisconsin STR law
5. Insurance Consultation: Work with an insurance professional to ensure adequate coverage

Source Information

Primary Source Document: Village of Butternut Municipal Ordinance Book

• URL: www.butternutwi.com/PDF/ORDINANCE%20BOOK.pdf
• Document Type: Complete Municipal Code
• Content: 16 chapters covering all municipal regulations
• Note: Document appears to be complete and current as of publication date

Important Note: This analysis is based solely on the provided municipal ordinance content. For the most current information and specific STR guidance, direct contact with village authorities is strongly recommended.

This guide provides a comprehensive analysis based on available municipal code information. Given the absence of specific STR regulations in the provided ordinances, investors should verify all requirements with local authorities before proceeding with a short-term rental business in Butternut, Wisconsin.