Executive Overview

• Are STRs allowed? Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in East Troy, Wisconsin. East Troy lies within Walworth County, and in Walworth County the STR regime is county‑wide and applies to both unincorporated and incorporated areas, including the Village of East Troy. Investors must obtain a Wisconsin state Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license and a Walworth County STR license before operating.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in East Troy (Walworth County)

• Secure a residential property in East Troy.
• Complete a Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license (state) before applying to Walworth County for the STR license.
• Obtain the required county application package (initial licensing; annual renewals).
• Assemble required documentation:
  • Proof of state TRH license (DATCP).
  • Site plan (simple hand‑drawn plan or recorded survey).
  • Well water test (if on private well).
  • Septic system evaluation/inspection (POWTS) as applicable.
• Submit the county STR license application with fees and supporting documents.
• After licensing, ensure ongoing compliance (renewals, inspections, taxes, complaint management, license transfer restrictions).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines State of Wisconsin (DATCP)

• License: Tourist Rooming House (TRH).
• Annual license fee: $110.
• One‑time pre‑inspection fee: $300.
• Annual renewal fee: $110.
• License year: Expires June 30 of each year.
• Non‑transferable and void upon property sale.
• Reference: DATCP “Tourist Rooming Houses” program pages (state regulatory home).

Walworth County (operational in East Troy)

• License: Short‑Term Rental (STR) License.
• Initial fee: $500 per year (expires June 30).
• Annual renewal: $200 (expires June 30).
• Non‑transferable and void upon property sale.
• Fine: $663 per offense; unresolved violations may trigger license revocation.
• Application package: initial and annual renewal forms; instructions embedded in application (page two provides guidance on required information).
• Forms and technical guidance:
  • Initial Licensing Application (fillable PDF).
  • Annual License Renewal Application (fillable PDF).
  • POWTS Inspection Form (for septic systems).
  • Well/Septic Inspectors list (PDF).
  • Septic Installers list (PDF).
  • Soil Testers list (PDF).
  • Short Term Rental FAQs (PDF).
  • County GIS OneView (for property records, recorded surveys).
  • Instructions for using County GIS (PDF) for permits and survey retrieval.
• Bed & Breakfast note: If the owner resides on‑site while guests are present, contact the County Senior Planner for Bed & Breakfast options.

Water and Septic Requirements

• Private drinking well: State requires well testing to obtain the TRH license. Use a private company or Walworth County Health Department’s well testing service.
• Septic systems (POWTS):
  • Must meet minimum code requirements for proposed occupancy.
  • If the property has an existing Sanitary Permit (post‑1980) with adequate capacity and the 3‑year maintenance is current, no further septic evaluation may be needed.
  • If no permit exists or the permit lacks required information, an appropriately licensed professional must evaluate and inspect the system (design capacity, setbacks, soil suitability, location).
  • Older holding tanks installed prior to 1980 are recorded as “XXX123456” systems. Due to missing records (size, shape, type), testing is required to confirm sanitary safety before license issuance.
  • Evaluation can trigger the need for septic replacement if code requirements are not met.

Site Plan

• Submit a site plan with your application. A simple hand‑drawn plan is acceptable; alternatively, use an existing recorded survey.
• Use Walworth County GIS OneView to locate property details and determine whether the County has a recorded survey on file. Follow the GIS instructions (PDF) to view “Survey History” or “Documents.”

Village of East Troy (municipal)

• No separate STR ordinance identified in the provided materials. East Troy operates under Walworth County’s STR licensing regime. The Village’s Comprehensive Plan acknowledges STRs as a community issue but does not provide an independent licensing framework in the materials provided.

Specific Regulations for East Troy (Walworth County, Wisconsin) County‑Level STR Requirements (effective county‑wide)

• Licensing scope: Includes incorporated areas such as East Troy; all STRs in Walworth County must be licensed by the County.
• License term and expiration: Annual licenses expire June 30 each year.
• Fees:
  • Initial STR license: $500.
  • Annual renewal: $200.
  • State TRH license: $110 (annual), $300 one‑time pre‑inspection.
• Transfers: STR and TRH licenses are non‑transferable and become void upon property ownership change.
• Enforcement: $663 per violation; failure to remedy may lead to license revocation.
• Compliance documentation:
  • State TRH license.
  • Site plan (hand‑drawn or survey).
  • Well testing results (if private well).
  • Septic evaluation/inspection report (POWTS) as required.
• Zoning definitions: County ordinances define “Dwelling,” “Lodging Facility,” and “Short‑Term Rental” and lay out the licensing framework and zoning references.

State‑Level Requirements (Wisconsin)

• STR operations generally qualify as “Tourist Rooming Houses,” requiring state licensing.
• Annual licensing with pre‑inspection; fees and expiration as above.
• State law governs baseline health and safety compliance; local (county) overlays set additional operational and zoning requirements.
• Tax implications: State materials emphasize room tax compliance and registration; consult the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and Walworth County for local room tax administration.

Local Contact Information (for STR Licensing, Health/Sanitation, and Planning) Walworth County – Short‑Term Rentals Licensing Office

• Physical Address: Walworth County Government Center, 100 W Walworth Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121.
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1001, Elkhorn, WI 53121.
• Phone: 262‑741‑4972.
• Fax: 262‑741‑4973.

Walworth County – Code Enforcement (STR Violations)

• Phone: 262‑741‑7902.
• Code Enforcement Officer (LTE): Michael Siciliano – msiciliano@co.walworth.wi.us.

Walworth County – Senior Planner (Bed & Breakfast / Planning)

• Phone: 262‑741‑4972.

Walworth County – Health Department (Well Testing)

• Refer to Walworth County Health Department “Well Water Testing” page.

Data and Trends (context)

• Township coverage and active licenses: As of 03/21/2024, East Troy Township had 8 active STR licenses. County‑wide active licenses totaled 271.

Links to Source Pages (available in provided materials)

• Walworth County STR Licensing and Forms:

  • Short‑Term Rentals – overview, application links, and contact directory: www.co.walworth.wi.us/537/Short-Term-Rentals
  • Chapter 26 – Article VII: Offering a Residential Dwelling as a Short‑Term Rental: library.municode.com/wi/walworth_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=WACOCOOR_CH26EN_ARTVIIOFREDWSHTERE
  • Chapter 74 – Zoning (definitions for Dwelling, Lodging Facility, Short‑Term Rental): library.municode.com/wi/walworth_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=WACOCOOR_CH74ZO
  • Initial STR License Application (fillable PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/5123/STR-License-application-fillable-PDF
  • Annual STR License Renewal (fillable PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/5124/STR-Annual-License-Renewal---Fillable-PDF
  • Short‑Term Rental FAQs (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/991/Short-Term-Rental-FAQ-PDF
  • POWTS Inspection Report (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/647/Existing-POWTS-Inspection-Report-PDF
  • Septic Installers (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/639/Septic-Installers-PDF
  • Soil Testers (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/641/Soil-Testers-PDF
  • Well/Septic Inspectors (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/643/Well-Septic-Inspectors-PDF
  • Walworth County GIS OneView (property information and surveys): gisinfo.co.walworth.wi.us/oneview/
  • Instructions for using Walworth County GIS (PDF): /DocumentCenter/View/994/Instructions-for-Using-Walworth-County-GIS-PDF
  • Walworth County Health Department – Well Water Testing: /430/Well-Water-Testing
  • Wisconsin DATCP – Tourist Rooming Houses: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/TouristRoomingHouses.aspx

• East Troy Comprehensive Plan (Policy Document, adopted 03/16/2020): easttroywi.gov/vertical/sites/%7BF9A16C36-7BFC-4D96-8E31-D88549B56F12%7D/uploads/Policy_Document_adopted_03-16-2020.pdf (Notes: STRs referenced as an emerging housing/community issue; no separate Village STR ordinance in provided materials.)

• Wisconsin Lodging (industry resources, STR law/policy summaries): www.wisconsinlodging.org/short-term-rentals.html

Practical Compliance Checklist for Investors

• Verify zoning and legal status of the property.
• Secure Wisconsin TRH license (DATCP).
• Complete Walworth County STR initial application with fee ($500).
• Prepare site plan and gather property documentation via County GIS.
• Arrange well water testing (if applicable).
• Complete septic evaluation/inspection (POWTS) as required.
• Establish operating procedures for guest occupancy, parking, trash, and noise.
• Set up room tax remittance procedures with the State/County.
• Create a renewal calendar (renew STR and TRH by June 30).
• Maintain records to address complaints, inspections, and fee payments.
• Plan for license non‑transferability; re‑apply promptly after any property sale.

This guide reflects county‑wide and state requirements applicable to East Troy, Wisconsin. Where Village‑specific STR ordinances are absent in the provided materials, Walworth County regulations govern. Always verify current requirements with Walworth County and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection before licensing.