Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Richland Center, Wisconsin. There is no city‑specific short‑term rental ordinance provided in the source materials. Short‑term rentals of fewer than 30 days in Wisconsin are governed by state law (Wis. Stat. § 66.1014) and, where applicable, Richland County’s licensing and operational ordinance. Under state law, local governments cannot prohibit rentals of a residential dwelling for seven consecutive days or more; however, they may impose reasonable regulations (including occupancy limits, parking, and operational standards) that do not conflict with the state statute.

Richland County has adopted a comprehensive short‑term rental licensing and operations ordinance (Ordinance XXX). While Richland Center itself does not have its own STR ordinance in the provided sources, any STR within the county— Richland Center included—must comply with the Richland County ordinance and state requirements.

Key implications for investors:

• A residential dwelling rented for periods of 7–29 days cannot be prohibited by local authorities in Wisconsin.
• Rentals of fewer than seven consecutive days may be more tightly regulated by local governments.
• If a STR is rented for more than six but fewer than 30 consecutive days, the total number of days rented within any 365-day period may be limited to no fewer than 180 days.
• Operating a STR for more than 10 nights per year requires a Wisconsin DATCP Tourist Rooming House license and, if the locality requires it, a county license (Richland County does require it).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Richland Center (and Richland County)

Use the following step‑by‑step roadmap to move from concept to compliant operation. The process is anchored in state law and the Richland County STR ordinance.

1. Understand State Law (Wis. Stat. § 66.1014)

• You may rent a residential dwelling for 7–29 consecutive days; such rentals cannot be prohibited.
• If renting for 7–29 consecutive days, the county may limit total rental days to at least 180 days within any 365‑day period.
• If you rent for more than 10 nights per year, you must obtain the required state license and any local license.

2. Secure State Licensing (DATCP)

• Obtain a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP) Tourist Rooming House (TRH) license.
• Plan for an inspection and the associated one‑time pre‑inspection fee.
• Confirm maximum occupancy limits with your local health authority/inspection reports.

3. Obtain County Licensing (Richland County)

• File an application for a Richland County short‑term rental license with the Zoning Department.
• The license is issued per rental location and is valid for two years. One license may cover up to four units at one location (more than four units constitutes a hotel/motel, which is excluded).
• Display the county license number on any advertising or online reservation system.

4. Designate Contact Person/Property Manager

• If you reside within 60 miles of the STR property, you may serve as the local contact.
• If you reside more than 60 miles away, you must designate a local property manager who lives within 60 miles of the STR property.
• Provide emergency contact information (911, local police, fire, nearest hospital) to guests and keep this updated with the Zoning Department.

5. Prepare Your Property for Operation

• Comply with state occupancy limits for tourist rooming houses (ATCP 72.14).
• Provide designated parking that abides by all laws; do not allow on‑street overflow as a primary solution.
• Prohibit use of RVs, campers, tents, or temporary lodging arrangements on site as supplemental accommodations unless septic capacity and health/safety measures are in place and documented.

6. Collect and Remit Taxes

• Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) to collect and remit state sales/use taxes if your annual sales meet or exceed the DOR threshold.
• Collect and remit local room taxes if applicable where the STR is located.
• If you use a Lodging Marketplace (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO), the platform generally collects and remits sales and room taxes; nonetheless, confirm your reporting responsibilities.

7. Submit Application and Maintain Ongoing Compliance

• File the complete application with the Zoning Department, include required documentation, and pay the fee (fee schedule set by Richland County Board resolution).
• Maintain licenses, post required information inside the main entrance, keep contact information current, and respond promptly to issues.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The Richland County ordinance establishes a clear documentation pathway. Before listing your STR, prepare:

• State of Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license (DATCP)
  • Application and licensing information: DATCP Tourist Rooming Houses page
  • State administrative rules: Wisconsin Admin. Code § ATCP 72
• Richland County Short‑Term Rental License Application
  • Application to be filed with the Zoning Department on county‑provided forms
  • Required information and supporting documentation:
    • Property owner information (mailing address, telephone)
    • Property description and maximum occupancy
    • Property manager designation and contact information (if applicable)
    • Copy of the most recent completed State Lodging Establishment Inspection form
    • Copy of state Tourist Rooming House license or proof of application (provisional license may be issued for up to 90 days pending receipt of state license)
    • Written certification that the STR meets all applicable county, state, and local laws
    • License number display on all advertising/online listings
• Payment of application and renewal fees (fees established by County Board resolution)
• Property display requirements
  • License displayed on the inside of the main entrance door of each STR unit
  • Guest access to emergency contact information (911, police, fire, nearest hospital)
• Parking and occupancy documentation
  • Designated parking plan that meets local laws
  • State occupancy limits (ATCP 72.14) and septic capacity considerations (if applicable)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (Richland County, State of Wisconsin)

Operating standards and limits include:

County Requirements (Richland County Ordinance XXX)

• Licensing per location; up to four units per license; five or more units at one location is a hotel/motel and excluded
• License validity: two years
• License nontransferable; expires upon transfer of legal control; notify Zoning Department of changes
• Provisional license: up to 90 days, conditioned on timely receipt of state TRH license
• Property manager requirement if owner does not reside within 60 miles; manager must live within 60 miles; updates to contact info must be provided within three business days
• Occupancy: must not exceed limits set in Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 72.14
• Temporary lodging arrangements: RVs, campers, tents, or other temporary structures are prohibited unless adequate septic and safety measures are documented
• Parking: designated parking required that complies with laws
• Advertising: county license number must be displayed on all advertising or online reservation systems
• License display: county license must be displayed inside the main entrance door of each STR unit
• Occupancy documentation and septic capacity: if using a Private On‑Site Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS), ensure the system’s design capacity is not exceeded
• Fees and renewals: application fee due upon filing; renewal at least 90 days before expiration; fee schedule set by County Board resolution
• Revocation grounds include failure to pay fees/taxes, failure to maintain licenses, and violations that substantially harm or adversely impact the surrounding neighborhood
• Appeal process: decisions may be appealed to the Natural Resource Standing Committee within 21 calendar days; further judicial review is available
• Penalties: violations of the ordinance are subject to forfeitures of $250–$750 per offense plus costs; failure to correct violations may result in revocation of the county license and other enforcement actions

State Requirements (Wisconsin Statute § 66.1014)

• Prohibition on banning rentals: Political subdivisions may not prohibit rentals of residential dwellings for seven consecutive days or longer.
• Annual day cap: For rentals of 7–29 consecutive days, political subdivisions may limit the total number of rental days within any 365‑day period to no fewer than 180 days. The cap may run consecutively and must be coordinated with the clerk of the political subdivision.
• Licensing: Any person who maintains, manages, or operates an STR for more than 10 nights per year must obtain a DATCP Tourist Rooming House license and any local license required by ordinance.
• Registration and collection of taxes: STR operators and lodging marketplaces must collect and remit state sales/use taxes and local room taxes where applicable.
• Administrative consistency: Local ordinances must be consistent with § 66.1014 and other applicable law.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

For licensing and compliance under the Richland County ordinance:

• Richland County Zoning Department
  • Primary authority for issuing short‑term rental licenses and renewals
  • Contact methods and physical location were not provided in the source materials; the Zoning Department is the proper point of contact for:
    • Application forms and submission
    • Licensing status and renewals
    • Contact updates for property owners and managers
    • Information on appeal procedures and revocation

For state licensing and inspections:

• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP)
  • Program information: Tourist Rooming Houses
  • State licensing and inspection requirements (ATCP 72)

For taxes and marketplace obligations:

• Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR)
  • Business tax registration and sales/use tax collection
  • Room tax administration for municipalities

Links to Source Pages

Note: The following references were used in preparing this guide. Where contact details or additional pages were not provided, refer to the listed source for the most current information.

• Richland County Short‑Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance XXX) [PDF]
  • mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/richlandwi-meet-2c95e525ec79439f84fcd4d353066425/ITEM-Attachment-001-edf42276dea7426789ab730f05167d7b.pdf
• DATCP Tourist Rooming Houses (program page)
  • datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/TouristRoomingHouses.aspx
• Wisconsin Admin. Code § ATCP 72 (Tourist Rooming Houses)
  • docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/atcp/055/72
• Wisconsin Statutes § 66.1014 (Right‑to‑Rent/Short‑Term Rental Provisions)
  • docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/prefaces/66#66.1014
• City of Madison Short‑Term Rentals (informational page; local example)
  • www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/bi/short-term-rentals/3440/
• Richland County Land & Zoning Standing Committee packet (meeting reference)
  • co.richland.wi.us/pdfs/2022-ReOrg/landZoning/packets/20220929packet.pdf

Practical tip for investors: Because Richland Center does not have its own STR ordinance in the materials provided, anchor your compliance strategy to state law and the Richland County ordinance. Confirm occupancy limits and inspection requirements with the local health authority and the County Zoning Department, and ensure your tax registration aligns with the DOR’s rules for sales, use, and room taxes.