Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Chetek, WI?

Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Chetek, Wisconsin. The Town of Chetek reports “Low” regulation intensity, with 26 active Airbnb-style listings in the market as of late 2025. That said, operations are subject to multi-layered rules at the state, county, and city/town levels. The City of Chetek was actively updating its ordinance for Airbnb/Vrbo-style rentals as of 2022, and both the City and Barron County have requirements and approval processes that STR operators must follow.

Investors should expect to:

• Obtain and maintain state lodging/tourist rooming house licensure if renting more than 10 nights per year (Wisconsin).
• Secure Barron County approvals (Board of Adjustment special exception and a health department license) for unincorporated Chetek.
• Confirm local zoning, permitting, and any city-level registration/permit requirements if operating within the City of Chetek’s limits.
• Collect and remit state, county, and applicable local room taxes.

Regulatory trend: Local regulators are balancing neighborhood protection (parking, occupancy, proximity of owner/manager, signage, waste handling) with continued operation of STRs. The City of Chetek discussed but did not complete adoption of a full ordinance by late 2022; further updates should be verified with the City and County.

Source: AirROI market report; City of Chetek discussions/reporting (2022); Barron County ordinance reporting (2021).

Market Snapshot: Chetek STR Landscape

• Active listings: 26
• STR regulation level: Low
• Median annual revenue per listing: ~$23,455
• Occupancy rate: ~48.4%
• Average daily rate (ADR): ~$191
• Peak revenue month: July
• Lowest revenue month: February
• Property mix: 100% Entire Home/Apartment; 57.7% Outdoor/Unique; 38.5% Houses
• Typical minimum stay: 1–3 nights (wide spread); 30+ nights present
• Guest origin: ~99% domestic; major origins: Minneapolis, Milwaukee

Source: AirROI market analysis (2025).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Chetek

1. Confirm your property’s jurisdiction and zoning

• Determine whether the property lies within City of Chetek limits or in the Town of Chetek (unincorporated area).
• Check if STRs are an allowed or conditional use in your zoning district (city conditional use under Sec. 118-75 reported; county uses a special exception process).
• Verify floodplain, shoreland, or DNR constraints for lakefront/riverfront properties (e.g., Red Rock Resort discussion referenced compliance with DNR floodplain rules).

2. Verify licensing and approval pathways

• State: Apply for a Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license if you will rent more than 10 nights per year; comply with all state lodging standards.
• Barron County (unincorporated Chetek): Apply to the Board of Adjustment for a special exception to operate a tourist rooming house; obtain Barron County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) licensure and a State Lodging License; renew permissions annually.
• City of Chetek: If within city limits, pursue any city registration/permit and comply with city ordinance standards as finalized (parking, occupancy, proximity of owner/manager, signage, garbage). City was updating an ordinance as of 2022.

3. Tax registration and compliance

• Register for and collect state sales tax, county sales tax, and any applicable local room taxes; file returns per state/local schedules.

4. Property preparation and operations

• Confirm legal occupancy (county guidance references cubic footage calculations).
• Install required signage, manage on-site parking (no more than 6 vehicles; guests may not park on lawns/vegetated areas or public right-of-way).
• Establish solid waste management and noise/quiet hours policies to avoid violations.
• Ensure owner/manager availability or within 30 miles during guest stays (if city ordinance provisions apply).

5. Marketing and management

• Comply with advertising rules (include city address if required; align ad occupancy claims with county capacity rules).
• Decide whether self-manage or hire a professional property manager; align management plan with city and county proximity/responsiveness requirements.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Documents and steps vary by jurisdiction. Use the checklist below and verify with the City/County contacts.

• State of Wisconsin

  • Tourist Rooming House License (required if renting >10 nights/year)
  • State Lodging License (as applicable)
  • Sales tax, county sales tax, and room tax registration and remittance

• Barron County (unincorporated Chetek)

  • Special Exception approval from Barron County Board of Adjustment (annual renewal)
  • Barron County Department of Health and Human Services license
  • Sanitarian review/approval
  • State Lodging License
  • Compliance with Tourist Rooming House ordinance standards (occupancy, use conditions)

• City of Chetek (within city limits)

  • City STR registration/permit (proposed updates discussed in 2022; confirm current status)
  • Owner/manager contact information on file
  • License application with booking platforms used
  • Compliance with:
    • Occupancy/advertising accuracy (no advertising occupancy in excess of county limit)
    • Owner/manager proximity (30 miles during guest stays)
    • On-site parking limits (≤6 vehicles; no street or lawn parking)
    • Signage to direct renters
    • Garbage/waste management standards

• General property compliance

  • Zoning compliance
  • Floodplain/shoreland/DNR rules where applicable
  • Building, life safety, and health inspections (as required by state/county)

Sources: State-level guidance and city/county meeting minutes/news reporting.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• State of Wisconsin

  • Tourist Rooming House licensure required if renting more than 10 nights per year.
  • Mandatory collection/remittance of state sales tax, county sales tax, and local room taxes.

• Barron County (unincorporated Chetek)

  • STRs are regulated as “Tourist Rooming Houses.”
  • Definitions and processes include:
    • Use of single- or two-family dwellings to provide lodging to the public for less than one month.
    • Board of Adjustment special exception (renewed annually).
    • Barron County HHS licensure, State Lodging License, and Sanitarian approval.
    • Enforcement pathways; neighbors may seek relief by documenting at least two violations within a calendar year; town boards may appoint constables for enforcement.

• City of Chetek (within city limits)

  • The City was working on a dedicated STR ordinance (2022). Key provisions under discussion included:
    • License application must list any web-based booking services.
    • Owner/manager must be within 30 miles of the rental during guest stays.
    • Parking restrictions: ≤6 vehicles; no parking on lawns/vegetated areas or public street right-of-way; signage to direct renters.
    • Capacity/occupancy alignment with county guidelines; advertising must reflect approved occupancy.
  • The City previously addressed STRs via conditional use (Sec. 118-75). Confirm current status with the City.

Sources: Gosummer (state guidance); City of Chetek planning commission minutes and council reporting; Barron County ordinance reporting.

Contact Information (Chetek STR Authorities)

• City of Chetek (City Hall/Administration)

  • Address: 312 Knapp St., Chetek, WI 54728
  • Email: alert@thechetekalert.com (newsletter/contact routing; use for general inquiries; for official City correspondence, use the City’s website or City Hall phone if available)
  • Website: www.cityofchetek-wi.gov
  • Note: For business licensing and zoning, ask to be directed to the City Clerk, Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator, and City Attorney for current STR rules.

• Barron County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  • Phone/email/address not specified in the provided content.
  • Website: Search “Barron County Health and Human Services” online or contact Barron County Administration for the appropriate HHS division handling lodging/tourist rooming house licenses.

• Barron County Board of Adjustment

  • Phone/email/address not specified in the provided content.
  • For special exception applications and appeals, contact Barron County Zoning Department or the County Clerk to reach the Board of Adjustment.

• Wisconsin State Lodging/Tourist Rooming House Licensing

  • Phone/email/address not specified in the provided content.
  • Look up the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) divisions that administer lodging licensing.

• City of Chetek Alert (local news and updates; not a licensing authority)

  • Website: chetekalert.com
  • Email: alert@thechetekalert.com
  • Use for community context and to monitor council/commission updates on STR ordinance progress.

Investors should verify current phone/email contacts and departmental assignments on official websites before applying or making compliance inquiries.

Source Links

• AirROI Town of Chetek Market Report (2025): www.airroi.com/report/world/united-states/wisconsin/town-of-chetek
• GoSummer Chetek, Wisconsin STR Management Overview: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/chetek-wisconsin
• Proposed ordinance for Airbnb/Vrbo rentals reviewed by council (Nov 22, 2022): www.chetekalert.com/news/top_stories/article_4e46a3de-6a85-11ed-939e-f3e71ea74336.html
• City of Chetek Planning Commission Minutes (Aug 18, 2022): cityofchetekwi.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/August-182022-Planning-Commission-.pdf
• Short-term rental permit denied; owners file lawsuit against county (Oct 13, 2021): www.chetekalert.com/news/top_stories/article_7a6b57e4-2bbf-11ec-86e3-d36d270c7ef8.html

Important Notes and Investor Takeaways

• Low regulation intensity in Chetek does not mean no compliance burden. The state/county layers are active, and city rules were being formalized as of 2022.
• Prioritize licensing and approvals early in your acquisition or conversion plan—especially for unincorporated Chetek where county approvals can take time.
• Build operations to exceed the “bare minimum”: manage parking, noise, and garbage proactively to preempt complaints and potential enforcement actions.
• Monitor City of Chetek updates for final ordinance text and any adoption of new permit requirements.