Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ephraim?

**Yes**, Ephraim requires a Short-Term Rental License for operating a rental. You need to obtain an annual Village license for $500, a State of Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license, and a Door County Tourism Zone permit. This is required per Ordinance 04-2022 to operate legally. *(53 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Ephraim?

**8% TOT** is the current room tax rate for short-term rentals in Ephraim. You are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the Village. This applies to all rentals, in addition to the state and county taxes. Failure to collect and remit taxes may result in penalties. *(53 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in Ephraim?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Ephraim, with some restrictions. You need to adhere to the regulations outlined in Ordinance 04-2022, including obtaining the required licenses and permits. A minimum stay requirement of 7 nights applies in most residential areas, ensuring neighborhood preservation. *(52 words)*

How much does an STR permit cost in Ephraim?

**$500** is the annual fee for the Village of Ephraim Short-Term Rental License. You need to pay this fee to obtain the required permit, in addition to securing a State of Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license and a Door County Tourism Zone permit. This is an annual requirement for operating a legal STR. *(54 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in Ephraim?

**No**, renters are not permitted to host on Airbnb in Ephraim. The regulations require that the property owner obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Renting out a property without the owner's consent and the required permits is a violation of the ordinance and may result in penalties. *(53 words)*

Ephraim

Strict

WisconsinUpdated Mar 24, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in the Village of Ephraim are regulated under Ordinance 04-2022, requiring an annual Village license, a State of Wisconsin Tourist Rooming House license, and a Door County Tourism Zone permit. Rentals are subject to an 8% room tax and a minimum stay requirement of 7 nights in most residential areas.

Restriction level

Severity 38

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Week minimum stay: 7 nights
High permit fee: $500
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Ephraim, you must first secure a state-level tourist rooming house license and register with the Door County Tourism Zone Commission for taxes. Once those are in place, you apply for a Village-specific permit which costs $500 annually. Be aware that Ephraim strictly enforces a 7-night minimum stay for most properties, meaning you cannot rent your home for just a weekend. You also need to pass a safety inspection and ensure your occupancy does not exceed the limit of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra guests.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$500

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

17-night minimum stay requirement is strictly enforced for all STRs.
2A $500 annual fee is required, which is significantly higher than neighboring unincorporated areas.
3Hosts must maintain a local contact person available 24/7 who lives within 25 miles of the property.
4Maximum occupancy is capped at 10 guests regardless of house size.
5You must have both a Village license AND a Door County Tourism Zone permit.
6Displaying the Village permit number on all online listings is mandatory.
7Outdoor music or amplified sound is generally prohibited during quiet hours (10 PM - 7 AM).

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Ephraim prohibits STRs in the following property types: Travel trailers, RVs, Tents.
Ephraim: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ephraim, WI: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Ephraim, WI: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements21 rules

Ephraim, WI: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Ephraim: Displaying the Village permit number on all online listings is mandatory.
Ephraim: Hosts must maintain a local contact person available 24/7 who lives within 25 miles of the property.

Application process9 rules

Ephraim STR permit - Step 1: State Licensing. Obtain a Tourist Rooming House license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Time: 3-6 weeks.
Ephraim STR permit - Step 4: Inspection. Schedule and pass a fire and safety inspection conducted by the local fire department or designated official. Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ephraim charges a registration fee of $500 (annual).
Ephraim: A $500 annual fee is required, which is significantly higher than neighboring unincorporated areas.

Taxes2 rules

Ephraim charges a Room Tax of 8%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 8% Door County Room Tax directly, but owners must still file monthly/quarterly returns showing zero balance.
Wisconsin has a state sales tax of 5.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Ephraim occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Ephraim: 7-night minimum stay requirement is strictly enforced for all STRs.
Ephraim enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ephraim requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan with emergency exits posted in unit, Safe water supply certification.

Penalties3 rules

Ephraim, WI: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ephraim: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Ephraim exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Ephraim: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ephraim, WI: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Ephraim

Strict

WisconsinUpdated Mar 24, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 38

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Week minimum stay: 7 nights
High permit fee: $500
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$500

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

17-night minimum stay requirement is strictly enforced for all STRs.
2A $500 annual fee is required, which is significantly higher than neighboring unincorporated areas.
3Hosts must maintain a local contact person available 24/7 who lives within 25 miles of the property.
4Maximum occupancy is capped at 10 guests regardless of house size.
5You must have both a Village license AND a Door County Tourism Zone permit.
6Displaying the Village permit number on all online listings is mandatory.
7Outdoor music or amplified sound is generally prohibited during quiet hours (10 PM - 7 AM).

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Ephraim prohibits STRs in the following property types: Travel trailers, RVs, Tents.
Ephraim: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ephraim, WI: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Ephraim, WI: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements21 rules

Ephraim, WI: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Ephraim: Displaying the Village permit number on all online listings is mandatory.
Ephraim: Hosts must maintain a local contact person available 24/7 who lives within 25 miles of the property.

Application process9 rules

Ephraim STR permit - Step 1: State Licensing. Obtain a Tourist Rooming House license from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Time: 3-6 weeks.
Ephraim STR permit - Step 4: Inspection. Schedule and pass a fire and safety inspection conducted by the local fire department or designated official. Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ephraim charges a registration fee of $500 (annual).
Ephraim: A $500 annual fee is required, which is significantly higher than neighboring unincorporated areas.

Taxes2 rules

Ephraim charges a Room Tax of 8%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 8% Door County Room Tax directly, but owners must still file monthly/quarterly returns showing zero balance.
Wisconsin has a state sales tax of 5.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Ephraim occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Ephraim: 7-night minimum stay requirement is strictly enforced for all STRs.
Ephraim enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ephraim requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan with emergency exits posted in unit, Safe water supply certification.

Penalties3 rules

Ephraim, WI: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ephraim: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Ephraim exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Ephraim: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ephraim, WI: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ephraim?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ephraim?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ephraim?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ephraim?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ephraim?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Ephraim?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ephraim?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ephraim?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ephraim?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ephraim?

Disclaimer