Town of Lawrence, Wisconsin

Renting a room or your house for a weekend, Packers game, NFL draft?

On March 11, 2024, the Lawrence Town Board adopted an ordinance to create a permit requirement for properties that are being rented for a fee for fewer than 30 consecutive days as defined by Wisconsin State Law.

This new ordinance allows property owners the opportunity to earn revenue from such occupancy with the increased travel and tourism in the surrounding area, while ensuring that such uses are operated in accordance with applicable Town regulations.

The ordinance requires all Short-Term Rentals in the Town of Lawrence to obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit (STRP) from the Town.  Failure to obtain a permit will result in citations and/or penalties.  A permit will run from July 1 - June 30.  Applications submitted after the deadline are subject to late fees. Property owners are not to advertise or rent out their property prior to the issuance of the STRP.  Approval of a Town of Lawrence STRP may take up to 30 business days once all needed information is submitted.  

Along with the Town's STRP, you will also need to apply for a Tourist Room House Application with Brown County Public Health. 

All Short-Term Rentals are required to collect room tax and must remit monthly (See Town Ordinance 40-Room Tax).  Failure to file will result in the cancellation of your short-term rental permit.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Town's Short-Term Rental Ordinance to determine if a property is eligible for a STRP.

How to Apply

The steps below are outlined to obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit from the Town of Lawrence

1. Check to see if your property qualifies for a short-term rental.
   1. Click HERE for a flowchart.
2. Review the Guidelines
   1. Town of Lawrence Short-Term Rental Ordinance
   2. Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 72
   3. Brown County Public Health Lodging Guidance
3. Apply for a Brown County Public Health Tourist Rooming House License
   1. Click HERE for the application and checklist.
4. Wisconsin Seller’s Permit
   1. A seller’s permit is required for every individual, partnership, corporation, or other organization with a Wisconsin sales location making retail sales, including leases, licenses, or rentals, or taxable products in Wisconsin, unless all sales are exempt from sales or use tax.
   2. You are responsible for collecting and remitting local, state, and county sales taxes if the total sales revenue is $2,000 or more.
      1. Local room tax imposed must be submitted to the Financial Custodian by the 20^th of each month - following the collection of tax from customer under Section 40-5 of the Town Ordinance.
   3. Click HERE for more information on a seller’s permit.
5. Apply for Town of Lawrence Short-Term Rental Permit
   1. Click HERE for application and checklist.

Additional Information

• Prior to occupancy or advertising a property for a short-term rental, the property owner or local representative shall obtain all required permits/licenses from Town of Lawrence, Brown County and/or State of Wisconsin. The review process of this permit may take up to 20 business days, assuming all needed information is supplied.
• Must comply with Town Lawrence Municipal Code(s)
• Permits are non-transferable.

If you are interesting in renting out your property or would like more information, please call the Town Hall at (920) 336-9131 or email TownLaw@lawrencewi.gov