Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Neillsville?

Short-term rentals are effectively allowed in Neillsville, but only in specific forms and zones:

• Bed-and-breakfast (B&B) establishments are permitted as conditional uses in the R1, R2, and R3 residential zoning districts. They are subject to owner-occupancy, parking requirements, and state lodging permits. In R1 and R2 districts, B&Bs are limited to two bedrooms, and guest stays are capped at 15 days.
• Lodging uses such as hotels and motels are permitted by-right in the CG (General Commercial) district; individual room rentals likely qualify as “Boarding House” (up to 6 persons) or as an “Apartment” in mixed-use buildings, subject to zoning compliance and parking. In all cases, lodging uses must meet parking requirements and obtain state lodging permits where applicable.
• “Rooming houses” (lodging for compensation without meals) are a conditional use in the R1/R2/R3 districts and limited to no more than six (6) persons.

Conclusion: In residential zones, investor-led rentals of entire homes are not explicitly permitted as of the provided ordinance; B&Bs (owner-occupied, with two-bedroom and 15-day stay limits in R1/R2) and six-person rooming houses (with meals allowed under boarding house rules) are the principal pathways. In commercial zones (CG), lodging uses are viable and less constrained.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Neillsville

• Select a viable district:
  • R1/R2/R3: B&B or rooming/boarding house models. In R1/R2, stay capped at 15 days per guest and total bedrooms limited to two (2) for B&B; no B&B stay limit in R3. Ensure owner-occupancy for B&B.
  • CG (General Commercial): Entire building lodging uses are permitted; multifamily dwellings are allowed and can be used in mixed-use scenarios. Apartment/hotel models can support STR operations; verify no State lodging unit limits apply and meet parking ratios.
• Complete permitting:
  • Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Required for B&B and rooming/boarding houses in R1/R2/R3. Follow the process under Article D (Sections 10-1-50, 10-1-51(e), 10-1-96).
  • Zoning Permit and Certificate of Zoning Compliance: Required before construction or structural changes (Article I, Sections 10-1-110 through 10-1-115).
  • Certificate of Occupancy (CO): Required prior to operation (Article I, Section 10-1-116).
  • State lodging permits: Obtain Wisconsin lodging permits as required by HSS 197; a Town/ City/Village permit is also cited as necessary by Neillsville’s zoning provisions for B&Bs.
  • Business and tax registration: Obtain a business license (Neillsville), register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for sales/use tax, and adhere to local room tax rules where applicable.
• Site planning:
  • Off-street parking: B&Bs must provide one parking space per bedroom plus two spaces for the household. For lodging uses in CG, provide 1 stall per guestroom and 1 stall per three employees. Apartments require 1.5–2.0 stalls per unit depending on size.
  • Yard setbacks and building standards: Verify compliance with district-specific setbacks (e.g., front 20 feet, side 8 feet, rear 20–45 feet depending on district; accessory structures must maintain required clearances).
• Compliance controls:
  • Ensure occupancy never exceeds six (6) persons for boarding/rooming houses.
  • Ensure no stay exceeds 15 days for B&Bs in R1 and R2; no such limit in R3.
  • Maintain owner-occupancy for B&Bs; no routine absentee landlord operations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City of Neillsville
  • Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for B&B, rooming house, and boarding house in residential districts (Article D).
  • Zoning Permit; Certificate of Zoning Compliance (Article I).
  • Certificate of Occupancy (CO) issued after inspections.
  • Business License (Neillsville, Title 7).
• State of Wisconsin
  • Lodging permits for tourist rooming houses per Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter HSS 197 (state administrative rules cited by Neillsville zoning).
  • Town/City/Village lodging permits as required by HSS 197 (for B&Bs).
  • Sales/use tax registration with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
• Local tax
  • Room tax compliance (obtain current rate and reporting cadence from the City; not provided in the source).
• Zoning and building references (City of Neillsville)
  • Title 10 Chapter 1 Zoning Ordinance (as provided; specifically Articles A–I; definitions at § 10-1-3; conditional uses at § 10-1-51(e); administration at Article H; zoning permits at Article I).
  • Title 7 (business licensing; exact sections not provided).
• Operation guidelines
  • Off-street parking ratios (Title 10 Chapter 1; § 10-1-75): Apartments: 1.5–2.0 stalls/unit; Hotels/motels: 1 stall/guestroom + 1 stall/three employees; Clubs/lodging houses: 1 stall/2 beds; Schools, places of assembly, restaurants and bars, retail and services per square footage standards.
  • Maximum occupancy limits: Boarding/rooming houses ≤ 6 persons.
  • Owner-occupancy requirement: B&B must be owner-occupied.
  • Stay limits: B&B stays in R1/R2 capped at 15 days; no stated limit in R3.

Specific Regulations: Short-Term Rentals in Neillsville (City), Clark County (County), and Wisconsin (State)

• City of Neillsville (zoning and land use)
  • Zoning districts and permitted uses: R1 (one-family), R2 (two-family), R3 (multiple family), CG (General Commercial), CH (Highway Commercial), IL (Light Industrial), IG (General Industrial), CN (Conservancy), UT (Urban Transitional) (§ 10-1-30).
  • Residential district purpose and standards:
    • R1/R2: Yards (front 20 feet; side 8 feet; rear 20 feet). Height 35 feet. Parking for single-family: 2 stalls/dwelling unit.
    • R3: Yards (front 20 feet; side 8 feet; rear 45 feet). Height 35 feet. Lot area includes base 10,000 sq ft + 2,200 sq ft per multi-family unit.
  • Lodging in residential zones:
    • Bed and Breakfast (conditional use in R1/R2/R3): Owner-occupied; one parking space per bedroom plus two spaces for the household; requires state HSS 197 permits; in R1/R2: maximum two bedrooms and 15-day stay limit; R3 has no stated bedroom/stay limit for B&B.
    • Boarding House (rooming units without meals) and Room House (rooming units without cooking): Conditional use in R1/R2/R3; ≤ 6 persons maximum; parking: 1 stall/2 beds.
    • Hotel/Motel: Permitted by-right in CG; use in R3 likely through mixed-use.
  • Commercial district (CG):
    • General business uses; lodging uses (hotels/motels) permitted; multifamily dwellings permitted; parking: hotels/motels require 1 stall per guestroom and 1 stall per three employees; minimum setbacks when abutting residential/conservancy/urban transitional: front none; sides/rear 20 feet; height 45 feet.
  • Administration and enforcement:
    • Zoning Administrator responsibilities (Article H).
    • Zoning Board of Appeals (Article H).
    • Zoning permits and certificates (Article I).
  • Parking and loading standards:
    • Off-street parking space dimensions: 8.5 feet by 19 feet; 7-foot vertical clearance; collective/shared parking allowed in nonresidential districts; surfacing requirements for >5 spaces (bituminous or cement concrete).
    • Yard parking restrictions: No parking in the first 20 feet of front yard or within 3 feet of side yard adjacent to right-of-way in residential and certain nonresidential districts.
• Clark County (county-level)
  • No county-specific STR regulations provided. Proceed at the city level unless county licensing applies; confirm with local authorities for any county health or zoning overlay.
• State of Wisconsin
  • Lodging permits and sanitary standards are governed by Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter HSS 197 (Tourist Rooming Houses). Neillsville’s ordinance references the necessity of state lodging permits and local Town/City/Village permits for B&Bs.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website) for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

• City of Neillsville – Zoning and Permits

  • Contact: Zoning Administrator
  • Phone: Not provided in the source
  • Email: Not provided in the source
  • Address: City Hall, Neillsville, WI (specific address not provided)
  • Website: neillsville-wi.com
  • Zoning Ordinance (PDF): neillsville-wi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Ordinance-ZONING10-Complete.pdf

• Wisconsin – Lodging Permits (HSS 197)

  • Agency: Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
  • Note: The specific regional office contact is not provided in the source.

Links to Source Pages (Available)

• City of Neillsville Official Site: neillsville-wi.com
• City of Neillsville Zoning Ordinance (Title 10 Chapter 1) – PDF: neillsville-wi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Ordinance-ZONING10-Complete.pdf

Note: If you plan to operate a B&B in R1/R2 with two bedrooms and guest stays limited to 15 days, ensure owner-occupancy and state lodging compliance. If you plan to operate a lodging use in CG, the by-right hotel/motel allowances, parking ratios, and state permits will govern operations; a rooming/boarding model in R1/R2/R3 can also be viable subject to CUP approval and the six-person cap.