Show All Answers

1. What is a Tourist Rooming House (TRH)?

Any dwelling unit where sleeping accommodations are offered for pay on a short-term rental basis to tourists or transients except bed and breakfast establishments, hotels, or any private boarding or rooming houses, ordinarily conducted as such, that do not accommodate tourists or transients.

2. What are the requirements to run a Tourist Rooming House, and how do I apply?

All Tourist Rooming Houses (TRH) are required to obtain proper licensing and inspection from Public Health of Madison and Dane County, insurance with specific TRH coverage, and a variety of other occupancy/parking requirements, and a Tourist Rooming House Permit through the Village.

For more information on the Tourist Room House license by visiting the Public Health of Madison and Dane County Short-Term Rentals page. You can also view the Full Tourist Rooming Houses Village Ordinance, including all rules and regulations.

Additionally, every owner of a tourist rooming house shall appoint a local agent to manage the tourist rooming house if the owner resides outside a 30-mile radius from the tourist rooming house or if the owner will be absent while the property is being rented as a tourist rooming house.

3. I own a home that is vacant. Can I rent this home as a Tourist Rooming House?

Yes. However, if you reside outside a 30-mile radius from the tourist rooming house, or you will be absent while the property is being rented, you must appoint an agent.

4. What are the requirements to become an agent?

The requirements to become an agent are as follows:

• If a natural person, keep their permanent residence within 30 miles of the tourist rooming house, or if a property management company or similar business entity, have offices within 30 miles of the Tourist rooming house
• Be authorized as owner, or on behalf of the owner of the Tourist rooming house, to accept service of all notices from the Village or service of legal process relating to any and all matters relating to the Tourist rooming house
• Be authorized to allow Village officers, employees, or agents, to enter the owner’s property for purposes of inspection and enforcement of this Article or any other ordinance, statute, rule or regulation the Village may have the duty or authority to enforce
• Be authorized to act as owner, or on behalf of the owner, of the Tourist rooming house in all matters relating to dealing with renters of the Tourist rooming house
• Be authorized to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any repair or act of maintenance of the Tourist rooming house necessary to comply with any Village ordinance, or any applicable state building regulations
• Subject to Wisconsin Statutes Sections 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335 has not been convicted of or have any pending charges for any offense as a felony, misdemeanor, or civil forfeiture, involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, robbery, the use or threatened use of force or violence upon the person of another, or sexual immorality under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 944

5. What are the fees associated with the permit?

The initial application fee for a Tourist Rooming House is $500 (includes all inspections). The renewal application is $100 plus $100 for the fire inspection.

6. Will I be notified if a Tourist Rooming House has been proposed in my neighborhood?

Yes. All property owners within 300 feet of a proposed Tourist Rooming House will be notified at least 10 days in advance of the Public Safety meeting in which the application shall be reviewed.

7. Is there a maximum number of days I can rent my Tourist Rooming House annually?

No, there is no maximum number of days.

8. Am I required to charge a room tax?

Yes. Beginning January 1, 2018, the Village approved imposing an 8% room tax on rooms or lodging to transients. For details on the room tax, please contact the Clerk/Treasurer at 608-838-3153.