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  1. Home
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  5. Wisconsin
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  7. La Crosse

La Crosse

Moderate
WisconsinUpdated Mar 16, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of La Crosse requires an annual Short-Term Rental License, a County Health Department Tourist Rooming House permit, and compliance with local zoning and tax laws.

Restriction level

Severity 8
Classification
Moderate
8
Severity

Why this classification

  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in La Crosse, you must obtain a city license for $100 and a county health permit, which involves an inspection. You are required to notify neighbors within 100 feet of your property before applying. Additionally, you must collect and remit state sales tax, county sales tax, and city room tax.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limit180/year
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$100
Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Neighbor notification is required within 100 feet for city permits.
  2. 2The 180-day annual limit applies if rentals are between 7 and 29 consecutive days (Wisconsin Right to Rent Law).
  3. 3Must follow the definition of 'Family' in Section 115-1, which limits the number of unrelated guests allowed in residential zones.
  4. 4County and City both require separate permits and fees totaling over $700 initially.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility5 rules
  • La Crosse does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
  • La Crosse: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
  • La Crosse: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • La Crosse prohibits STRs in the following property types: Camping units (unless in a campground), Tents.
Requirements11 rules
  • La Crosse: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
  • La Crosse STR warning: Must follow the definition of 'Family' in Section 115-1, which limits the number of unrelated guests allowed in residential zones.
  • La Crosse: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Application process8 rules
  • La Crosse: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: County Tourist Rooming House License, County Pre-licensing Inspection Report, Wisconsin Seller's Permit, City Room Tax Application, Verification of Neighborhood Notification.
Fees & costs3 rules
  • La Crosse: Neighbor notification is required within 100 feet for city permits.
  • La Crosse charges a registration fee of $527 (one_time).
  • La Crosse charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).
Taxes3 rules
  • La Crosse charges a Municipal Room Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit state and local taxes in Wisconsin.
  • La Crosse: County and City both require separate permits and fees totaling over $700 initially.
  • Wisconsin has a state sales tax of 0.05% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions7 rules
  • La Crosse: Must follow the definition of 'Family' in Section 115-1, which limits the number of unrelated guests allowed in residential zones.
  • La Crosse limits STRs to 180 nights per year.
  • La Crosse limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • La Crosse: The 180-day annual limit applies if rentals are between 7 and 29 consecutive days (Wisconsin Right to Rent Law).
Safety requirements1 rule
  • La Crosse requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Must comply with Section 115-1 (Family/Unrelated Individuals limit), Minimum 1 off-street parking space, License must be displayed near main entrance.
Penalties3 rules
  • La Crosse: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • La Crosse enforces penalties: First offense: $500 - $1,000.
  • La Crosse enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Twice the license fee. Second offense: $500 - $3,000. Daily fine: $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Exemptions2 rules
  • La Crosse exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and breakfast establishments (regulated separately), Hotels and motels.
  • La Crosse: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for La Crosse

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Apply for County Health Department License

Obtain a Tourist Rooming House license from the La Crosse County Health Department. This includes a pre-licensing health and safety inspection.

30 days$527
Documents needed
  • Floor plan
  • Water test results (if private well)
Official resource
Step 2

Obtain State Seller's Permit

Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to obtain a seller's permit for tax collection purposes.

1 week$20
Documents needed
  • SSN or FEIN
Official resource
Step 3

Notify Neighbors

Provide written notification to all property owners within 100 feet of the proposed rental property as part of the city application process.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Notice letter
  • List of notified owners
Official resource
Step 4

Submit City STR License Application

File the final application with the La Crosse City Clerk's Office, including all documentation from previous steps and the City Room Tax application.

2 weeks$100
Documents needed
  • County health license
  • Inspection report
  • Seller's permit
  • Room tax application
Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 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

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