Official Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed?

• Yes—Florence County permits short‑term rentals, but they must be licensed and operated as “Tourist Rooming Houses” under Wisconsin law, and they must comply with county zoning.
• In all zoning districts, the lodging activity is regulated as a lodging facility and typically requires a Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). The Florence County Health Department administers inspections and assists with the licensing process.
• Zoning: The zoning ordinance defines the land use rights for lodging uses. It does not contain a single, uniform “STR allowance” for the entire county. Instead, it specifies permitted and conditional lodging uses by district. Notably:
  • OF-4 Forest District lists “Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)” as a conditional use.
  • The RS-5 Residential Single‑Family Lake District explicitly prohibits “Transient Occupancy” (six consecutive days or less) for single‑family dwellings, effectively prohibiting nightly STRs in this lakeside district.

Practical implications for investors:

• Rural/forest/zoning compliance: Confirm that your specific parcel and district allow lodging. You will likely need a TRH license plus a county land use/conditional use permit and a post‑construction Certificate of Compliance.
• Shoreland compliance: Florence County’s Shoreland and Wetland Zoning Ordinance imposes additional setbacks and waterway protections; in any conflict, the more restrictive rule applies.
• RS‑5 lakeside prohibition: If your property lies within RS‑5 (Residential Single‑Family Lake District), nightly short‑term rentals are prohibited by zoning. Long‑term rentals (seven or more consecutive days) may still be lawful uses under zoning, but lodging guests for six days or fewer is not permitted.

How to Start a STR Business in Florence County

1. Confirm zoning feasibility

• Use the Florence County zoning map and district standards to determine whether short‑term lodging is a permitted or conditional use on your parcel.
• In OF‑4 Forest District, “Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)” is listed as a conditional use. In other districts, lodging may be permitted as a TRH or similar use, or require a conditional use permit; check the specific district’s “Permitted” and “Conditional Uses” sections.

2. Initiate licensing with the Health Department

• Contact the Florence County Health Department to discuss the best DATCP license category for your operation (Tourist Rooming House is most common for STRs). The Health Department will guide you through application, required inspections, and standards.

3. Obtain the required land use approvals and permits

• Land Use/Zoning Permit: Required before construction, structural alteration, or change of use; issued by the Zoning and Planning Administrator.
• Conditional Use Permit: If your lodging use is listed as a conditional use in the district, a conditional use permit is required in lieu of the standard land use permit. Approval requires a public hearing and possible conditions.
• Certificate of Compliance: Issued post‑construction to verify compliance with the original land use or conditional use permit conditions.

4. Comply with health and safety standards

• A Registered Sanitarian inspects the property to confirm health and safety requirements. Pass the inspection before the TRH license is issued or renewed.

5. Coordinate additional approvals if applicable

• If your parcel is near navigable waters, shoreland setbacks and floodplain rules apply; obtain any required state permits for waterways work and ensure compliance with the Shoreland and Wetland Zoning Ordinance.
• If signage is planned, obtain a sign permit.

6. Maintain compliance and renewals

• Keep the TRH license current with DATCP and the Health Department. Keep zoning permits, conditional use approvals, and any Certificate of Compliance on file and available for inspection.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Wisconsin DATCP Lodging License (Tourist Rooming House)
  • The DATCP requires a permit for all lodging facilities, including homes/cabins rented to tourists or transients.
  • Contact the Florence County Health Department to start the process. The County’s Registered Sanitarian inspects and approves the operation prior to licensing.
• Florence County Land Use/Zoning Permit
  • Required prior to construction, relocation, or structural alteration; also required for change of use.
• Conditional Use Permit
  • If lodging is a conditional use in the subject district (e.g., VRBO in OF‑4), a conditional use permit is required, with a public hearing and potential conditions.
• Certificate of Compliance
  • Issued after construction to confirm compliance with zoning permit conditions.
• Sign Permit
  • Any new sign requires a sign permit under the ordinance.
• Shoreland and Floodplain Compliance
  • Properties near navigable waters must comply with the Shoreland and Wetland Zoning Ordinance; setbacks from water are stricter than general zoning.
• Evidence of Water and Sewer
  • Submit satisfactory evidence of a safe, adequate water supply and approved sewage disposal per the Florence County Sanitary Ordinance.
• Site Plan
  • A detailed site plan is required with permit applications, including lot boundaries, structures, access points, parking, setbacks, water/waste systems, and any waterways.

Specific Zoning and Use Regulations by District (Florence County Zoning Ordinance)

• OF‑4 Forest District
  • Minimum lot size: 1 acre; minimum width: 150 feet.
  • “Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)” is specifically listed as a conditional use.
  • Water setbacks: 75 feet from navigable waters.
  • Height limit: 35 feet.
• OF‑1, OF‑2, OF‑3 Forest Districts
  • Typical conditional lodging uses include “Camping Area,” “Camps,” “Recreation areas,” and similar tourist-oriented uses; “VRBO” is not explicitly listed in the excerpts provided, but similar recreation/tourism lodging types may be conditional uses. Confirm with the Zoning Administrator.
• RS‑5 Residential Single‑Family Lake District
  • Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq ft; minimum width: 100 feet.
  • “Transient Occupancy”—the right to use, occupy, or possess a single‑family dwelling for six consecutive days or less—is explicitly prohibited in this district. This prohibition bars nightly STRs in RS‑5.
• RS‑1, RS‑2, RS‑3 Residential Single‑Family Districts
  • Lodging uses may appear as conditional uses (e.g., “Rooming or boarding house” in RS‑1). “VRBO” is not listed in the excerpts for these districts; verify with Zoning.
• RM‑1 Residential Multi‑Family District
  • Multi‑family dwellings are permitted; lodging uses may be conditional (e.g., “Rooming or boarding house”).
• Commercial and Manufacturing Districts
  • Lodging uses such as hotels, motels, and “resorts” can be permitted or conditional depending on the district. Confirm the specific district’s tables of permitted/conditional uses and any limitations.

Key Health and Safety Requirements

• The Florence County Health Department requires all lodging facilities (including Tourist Rooming Houses) to pass a health and safety inspection by the County’s Registered Sanitarian before licensing. Standards emphasize safe water, approved sewage disposal, fire safety, and structural safety appropriate to the lodging use.
• For bed and breakfast operations: DATCP definitions require that the establishment be the owner’s personal residence and that only breakfast is served to guests.

Contacts

• Florence County Health Department
  • Phone: 715‑528‑4837
  • Email: aseibold@co.florence.wi.us
  • Address: Courthouse, 501 Lake Avenue, PO Box 410, Florence, WI 54121
  • Website: www.florencecountywi.com/
• Florence County Zoning and Planning
  • Zoning Administrator: Rich Wolosyn
  • Assistant Zoning Administrator: Trish Kelly
  • Contact via the County Zoning and Planning Department (see county website)

Links to Source Pages

• Florence County Health Department Tourist Rooming House Inspections (news release and permit overview): www.florencecountywi.com/i/f/files/2020_07_20%20TRH%20Inspections.pdf
• Florence County Zoning Ordinance (comprehensive PDF): energyzoning.org/sites/default/files/PDF/55037_Florence_20220922.pdf

Notes for Investors

• The zoning code is parcel‑ and district‑specific; always verify the applicable district and permitted/conditional status before purchase or development.
• If your property is in RS‑5, nightly STRs are prohibited; long‑term rentals of seven or more days may be permissible under zoning, but lodging stays of six days or fewer are not.
• For properties near waterways, obtain a state waterways permit if any work in respect to waterways is proposed, and adhere to shoreland setbacks and floodplain requirements.
• Build time, permit expiration, and after‑the‑fact fees: Zoning permits expire if work does not commence within 12 months (extensions possible). Starting work without a permit triggers additional fees and enforcement.
• Use the Health Department as your primary licensing liaison for DATCP/TRH requirements, and the Zoning Department for land use permits and conditional use approvals.