​​​Information for Property Owners

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SUMMARY:

 

• Short term rentals are legal in Vilas County

 

• Rentals (whether through a rental company or privately) must comply with regulations and ordinances including

  • An annual Vilas County Permit

  • A license from the Vilas County Department of Health

  • A seller's permit from the State of Wisconsin

  • Payment of room tax to the Town of Conover

 

• Rental duration must be for a minimum of seven (7) days

 

• Occupancy is limited to 2 guests per bedroom based on the sanitary permit

 

• Off-street parking must be provided for one car per two occupants, plus one. Parking is not allowed within 75 feet of the lake or 5 feet of the lot line. Other restrictions apply.

 

• Rules must be posted, and those rules are specified by ordinance

 

• The property's resident agent must have a physical address within Vilas County or within forty (40) miles

 

• Other requirements are listed below and on the Vilas County Short Term Vacation Rentals Page

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Some Stormy Lake properties, including single-family dwellings and cabins, are rented directly by their owners or through services such as Airbnb, Vrbo, or Vacasa. These less-than-30-day rentals are covered by ordinances. Below is a compilation of information and links to help property owners understand the requirements and restrictions to rent within Vilas County.

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Vilas County Permits

 

All rental properties require an annual permit from the Vilas County Zoning & Planning Department. Tourist Rooming House (TRH) regulations are set forth in Article XII of the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance.

 

​All permits expire on January 31 of the year after they are issued. Permits are non-transferable and expire if a property changes ownership. Initial TRH permits will be required for new tourist rooming houses, Renewal TRH permits will be required for annual renewals.

 

Initial permits are $300. Annual renewal permits are $200.

 

More information is at:

• TRH Permit Application

• TRH Rules Template

• Article XII: Operation of a Tourist Rooming House

 

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Additional Permits, Licenses, and Taxes Required

 

In addition to permits required under the Vilas County General Zoning Ordinance, tourist rooming houses require

• A Lodging and Recreational Facilities License from the Vilas County Public Health Department

• A sellers permit from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

 

Finally, the Town of Conover collects a 4.5% room tax.

 

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Occupancy

 

Based on the size of the septic system listed on the sanitary permit, occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom. Septic permits can be viewed using the Ascent Permit Management program, which can be accessed by clicking here.

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Parking

 

All tourist rooming houses are required to provide one off-street parking space for each two occupants, plus one. Parking spaces must be located greater than seventy-five (75) feet from the Ordinary High-Water Mark and five (5) feet from a lot line, unless improved parking spaces existed within these areas prior to January 1, 2024. Parking spaces may not be located on or within fifteen (15) feet of a septic system, in wetland or floodplain areas, within easement areas, or in areas designated for mitigation compliance. Garages may be used to satisfy the parking requirements if they are accessible for renters to use and part of their rent.

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Resident Agent

 

Each tourist rooming house shall require a resident agent who has a physical address or physical office within Vilas County, or within forty (40) miles. The resident agent may be the owner if they meet the criteria. The resident agent must be authorized by the owner to act on their behalf for service or process regarding the ordinance, and to give permission for Vilas County personnel to enter the property to inspect for compliance.

 

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Property Rules

 

All tourist rooming houses require a set of property rules to be posted in view of renters. A template is available or owners may provide their own. The property rules must include, at minimum:

• The maximum occupancy permitted by the ordinance

• Contact information for the owner or resident agent

• The number of vehicles and trailers permitted

• Where they should be parked

• Information on the high-water alarm for the septic system (if applicable)

• Where to locate fishing regulations, outdoor burning regulations, hunting & fishing regulations, and local boating, snowmobile and off-road vehicle regulations

• Non-emergency contact information for law enforcement, fire, and EMS services

 

​The Stormy Lake Association also asks that property owners post the Courtesy Code, as well.

 

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Other Considerations

 

• Minimal rental is seven (7) days in single-family residential (R-1) Zoning Districts.

• Dwellings without septic systems (e.g., campers or dwellings with cesspools or other prohibited systems) may not be used as tourist rooming houses.

• Tourist rooming houses utilizing structures with septic systems installed using percolation tests (generally 1993 or before) require a soil boring if one is not on file.

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Further Information

 

• The Vilas County Zoning Ordinance (amended 1/1/2024) is available here.

• Article XII which covers Tourist Rooming Houses is available here.

• The Vilas County Zoning and Planning site (including contact information) is available here.

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​​​Stormy Lake Short Term Vacation Rentals​: Information for Renters and Property Owners

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