Hotels & lodging
What do I need to rent out my home on Airbnb or another short-term rental site in Madison?
A common question, answered by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 10, 2026
1 answer
From MadisonWI.com
In the City of Madison, a short-term rental (a "tourist rooming house") needs three things. First, a Tourist Rooming House license from Public Health Madison & Dane County. Second, a Zoning Tourist Rooming House Permit from the City, which you must have before you advertise or rent, and which you can only apply for once you hold the Public Health license. Third, a Transient Room Tax permit from the City Treasurer's Office. The rental must be your primary residence, meaning your true, fixed and permanent home for at least 183 days a year, and you can have only one. If you're present during guests' stays there's no cap on nights; if you're away, the City limits the rental to a maximum of 30 nights. There's a separate option for stays of 7 to 29 nights in a row, which Zoning can explain. There are application and annual permit fees. These rules are for the City of Madison; other communities set their own. Source: City of Madison, Short-Term Rental Regulations and FAQ (checked November 2026).
Written by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 10, 2026