Environmental Health
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Licensing and permit payments are processed with the Department of Customer Service, located in the Clerk’s Office, Racine City Hall Room 103.
Environmental Health Division office hours: Tuesday, 8 – 10am; Wednesday, 2 – 4pm; or by appointment call 262-636-9203.
Short Term Rentals/Tourist Rooming Houses
Tourist Rooming Houses
Rental of a whole or partial residence to visitors for less than 29 days is commonly known as a Short-Term Rental. Its legal term, according to Wisconsin State Statute ATCP 72, is a Tourist Rooming House. These rentals are typically found online through websites that connect homeowners with people who need a place to stay when they’re traveling. Some examples include Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway.
Wisconsin allows for the rental of sleeping accommodations, which can either be rooms in a home or an entire home or cabin, for less than 29 consecutive days. A Short-Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House operating within the City of Racine must be located in the primary residence of the proprietor.
All City of Racine Short Term Rentals / Tourist Rooming Houses must be permitted through City of Racine Public Health Department and inspected annually to verify the operation meets all requirements of Wisconsin Statutes related to public health and safety.
Short Term Rental Permits
Tourist Rooming House Permits
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Getting Started
- City Ordinance
- Read the City of Racine Ordinances pertinent to Short Term Rentals / Tourist Rooming Houses: Chapter 22, Article XVIII Chapter 114
- Tourist Rooming Houses in the City of Racine must be the property owner’s primary residence.
- State of Wisconsin Seller’s Permit
- Obtain a Wisconsin Seller’s Permit (if required).
- City Ordinance
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Apply for a Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House Permit and Room Tax Permit
- Submit a completed Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House Permit Application (Printable Application or Online Application) with proper payment to the City of Racine Public Health Department. See the Public Health Department Fee Schedule.
- Room Tax Permit: Contact the City of Racine Department of Customer Service for questions regarding room tax. They may be reached at 262-636-9171.
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Schedule an Inspection
- Contact the Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203 to schedule a property inspection. Inspection and permit approval must be completed prior to renting out sleeping accommodations.
Complaints
Complaints about short-term rentals in City of Racine can be made by contacting the Environmental Health Division at 262-636-9203 or by using the Online Complaint Form.
Resources
- Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House – Getting Started
- Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House – Application
- Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House – Public Health Inspection checklist
- Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House – Building Department Inspection Checklist
- ATCP 72: Hotels, Motels, and Tourist Rooming Houses
- ATCP 97: Food, Lodging, and Recreation
- Wisconsin Short-Term Rental Handout
- Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House – Room Tax Applicability Explanation
- Washing and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces
Public Health Laws
Homeowners are required to obtain a Short Term Rental / Tourist Rooming House Permit from the Environmental Health Division prior to offering this service to visitors. A Joint Inspection between Building, Fire and Public Health Departments must be completed for permit approval. The permitting year is from July 1 until June 30 of the following year. Public Health and Fire inspections will occur at least once every permitting year to ensure continued compliance with regulations. If an initial permit is approved in April, May or June of a given year, such permit will be valid until the end of the following permitting year, on June 30.
Tax Laws
Municipal Room Tax
Room tax must be collected from visitors as required by City of Racine Ordinance 90-55. Check with the Department of Customer Service at 262-636-9171 for questions regarding room tax.
Wisconsin Sales Tax
Short-term rentals must report and pay Wisconsin sales tax. City of Racine is subject to 5% sales tax. Exception: If a host’s taxable sales are less than $1,000 in a calendar year, a sales tax exemption may apply to the sales. For more information, see Exceptions for Taxes Collected by Residential Short-Term Lodging Marketplaces from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (WI DOR). If you have any questions, contact the WI DOR at 608-266-2776.
Other Considerations
As a property owner, you may be subject to lease agreements and/or cooperative, cohousing, condominium, homeowner association, or tenant organization regulations.
Costs to Operate
Initial / Start-Up Fees One-time Pre-Inspection Fee $340.00 Annual Permit Fee (State Mandated) $210.00 Room Tax Registration Fee $3.00 Fire Inspection Fee $50.00 Wisconsin Seller’s Permit $20.00 Total $623.00 Annual Fees Annual Permit Fee (State Mandated) $210.00 Fire Inspection Fee $50.00 -
