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Regulations

Printable version (PDF)

Dates & Fees

Valid Zoning ZTRHP permit will be required as of Oct. 1, 2020
ZTRHP permitting year is July 1 to June 30 of the following year
Fees: $100 one-time application fee and $100 annual permit
fee

Regulations for the Zoning Tourist Rooming House Permit ZTRHP1?

A valid ZTRHP Permit is required from the City of Madison Zoning Department before advertising or renting any TRH unit.
A valid ZTRHP permit number must be displayed in all TRH ads.
Only the owner of the property, or a renter whose lease explicitly allows it, may operate a Tourist Rooming House.
TRH must be the host’s primary residence.*
If the operator does not occupy the residence at the time of rental, the tourist rooming house may operate no more than thirty days per licensing year, July 1 to June 30.*
If the operator occupies the residence at the time of rental, there is no limit to the number of days the Tourist Rooming House may operate.*
Operator may continue hosting two (2) or more individuals who separately book accommodations at the same TRH on any shared date if host remains on site each night.*
Prior to TRH permit approval, Building Inspection staff will conduct a home visit to review floor plans, verify bedroom counts, and discuss TRH regulations and expectations with hosts, including answering any questions hosts may have.
Host name on all advertisements and website platforms must match the operator (permit holder) name.
Maximum guest occupancy is the lesser of twice the number of legal bedrooms or 12. Children under the age of 12 are not counted toward the guest occupancy count. See bedroom definition on Form ZTRHP1-F.
Permit is issued to a specific host for a specific dwelling unit.
Permit is not transferrable. Permit does not authorize any person, other than the person named therein, to operate a short-term rental home in the dwelling unit.
Each establishment shall have a registry available on-site for inspection, indicating the true name and contact information (phone, mail or email address) of the guest making the reservation, dates of stay, and acknowledgement of operator presence or absence each night of the stay. The registry shall include all information from the current registry year and the year before.
Quarterly reporting to City Zoning from all operators is due Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1 for the following items:
- (August 1 will be the first required deadline in 2020):
- Name and contact information of the person who made each reservation, and dates of stay for all guests during the previous quarter, including whether host was on or off site each night.
- List of all websites and places TRH has been advertised in the previous quarter.
- Initial applications also request this information if applicable, plus website platforms and other locations where operator is planning to advertise in the upcoming year.
Violations of regulations subject to fines of $500-$1000 per day.
ZTRHP permit may be revoked for failure of operator to comply or maintain compliance with Zoning regulations. After a second occurrence of quarterly reporting not filed by required deadline, ZTRHP permit may be automatically revoked. Violation fines are doubled if permit has been revoked.
Operator must maintain compliance with regulations throughout the year. If information submitted on permit application changes during the year, report those changes to city zoning within three days, such as change to floor plan, primary residence, property owner, etc.
Prior to receiving a ZTRHP renewal permit, the TRH operator shall provide the Zoning Administrator with any updates or changes to any of the documentation required or submit a statement to the Zoning Administrator stating there have been no changes to the information contained in the documentation. Prior to issuing a renewal permit, the zoning Administrator may conduct a reinspection.

*Certain provisions allow this if TRH only operates with night stays between seven (7) and 29 consecutive nights. If host will never advertise or accept any reservation for less than seven consecutive nights, inquire at zoning about all regulations that must be followed for this option.

Last Updated: 08/24/2021

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Resources

Permit Application (PDF)

ZTRHP Permit Application Packet

Permit & License Required

Currently, all TRH operators must have a valid TRH license from Public Health before advertising or renting out any short-term rental. As of 10/1/20, all operators must also have a valid Zoning Tourist Rooming House Permit (ZTRHP).