Is Barron, Wisconsin Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Barron, Wisconsin, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Barron City Hall, as Wisconsin municipalities typically require short-term rental permits and may have specific zoning restrictions in residential areas. Contact the Barron Building Department to obtain necessary permits, which likely include a business license, occupancy permit, and potentially a conditional use permit if operating in certain residential zones. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Barron County's market, focusing on properties near attractions like the Red Cedar State Trail or downtown area, with average property prices ranging from $80,000-$150,000 for suitable homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, basic kitchen supplies, linens, and furniture that appeals to visitors exploring the Chippewa Valley region, budgeting approximately $5,000-$10,000 for initial furnishing. List your property on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO, highlighting proximity to outdoor activities, local festivals, and the historic downtown district, with competitive pricing around $75-$125 per night based on regional market rates. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating with local cleaning services in the Barron area, and ensuring compliance with Wisconsin's 5.5% state sales tax plus any local lodging taxes that may apply to short-term rentals.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Barron, Wisconsin, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Barron Lake, Red Cedar River, and downtown areas near Highway 8 and 25, as these attract fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with lake access, boat launches, fishing amenities, updated kitchens, Wi-Fi capability, and outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits that appeal to weekend getaway guests from Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area (90 minutes away). Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify the $80-150 nightly rate sweet spot, with seasonal peaks during summer months (June-August) and fall hunting season commanding premium rates. Research competition by monitoring existing STRs within 10-mile radius, noting occupancy rates typically range 40-60% annually, and identify gaps in amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, or pet-friendly options. Utilize Zillow, Realtor.com, and local MLS data through Barron County real estate agents, while leveraging STR-specific tools like AirDNA, Rabbu, and AllTheRooms to analyze market saturation, seasonal demand patterns, and revenue projections, ensuring properties under $200,000 can generate 15-25% annual returns when properly managed and marketed to outdoor recreation and family vacation segments.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Barron, Wisconsin, you must first contact the Barron City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 1456 LaSalle Avenue to inquire about their specific short-term rental ordinance and application process, as requirements vary by municipality. You'll typically need to submit a completed STR permit application form, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement allowing STR use, submit a floor plan of the rental unit, provide proof of liability insurance (usually $1 million minimum), pass a property safety inspection conducted by the city's building inspector, and pay applicable fees which generally range from $100-300 annually in similar Wisconsin municipalities. Required documents usually include a Wisconsin business tax registration, emergency contact information for a local representative available 24/7, parking plan showing adequate off-street parking, and waste management plan. The city may require compliance with zoning regulations, occupancy limits based on square footage and bedrooms, noise ordinances, and registration with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes. The approval timeline typically takes 30-60 days from complete application submission, and you must renew the permit annually while maintaining compliance with all local regulations including potential restrictions on the number of STR permits issued in residential zones.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Barron, Wisconsin, as the city does not have specific ordinances prohibiting them, though they must comply with state regulations and local zoning requirements. Wisconsin state law allows municipalities to regulate STRs, and Barron County has not implemented county-wide restrictions as of 2023. Property owners must ensure compliance with standard rental property requirements including safety codes, tax obligations, and any applicable homeowners association rules. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and collect applicable taxes, while properties must meet residential zoning compliance in designated areas. Recent trends in Wisconsin show increasing municipal oversight of STRs, with some communities implementing registration requirements and occupancy limits, though Barron has maintained a relatively permissive approach compared to larger Wisconsin cities like Madison or Milwaukee that have enacted stricter regulations including caps on STR numbers and mandatory neighbor notification processes.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Barron, Wisconsin include the downtown historic district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the city's heritage and local events like the Barron County Fair, and neighborhoods close to Barron Lake and surrounding recreational areas that draw fishing enthusiasts, boaters, and summer vacationers. Properties near the Barron Area Community Center and sports facilities perform well due to youth tournaments and regional sporting events throughout the year. The residential areas along Highway 8 corridor offer good accessibility for business travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities like 3M and other industrial operations in the region. Neighborhoods within walking distance of the Ice Age Trail segments attract outdoor enthusiasts and hikers, particularly during fall foliage season. Properties near the Barron County Airport area cater to private aviation users and business visitors, while homes close to the Cumberland area (about 15 minutes away) benefit from overflow demand during the Rutabaga Festival and other regional events that fill local accommodations.

In Barron, Wisconsin, Airbnb hosts are subject to Wisconsin state sales tax of 5% on lodging rentals, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days, and this tax must be collected from guests and remitted to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue monthly if collections exceed $200 or quarterly if less. Barron County imposes an additional 3% room tax on transient accommodations, bringing the total occupancy tax to approximately 8%, and this county tax is collected by the Barron County Tourism Commission with remittance required quarterly by the last day of the month following each quarter. The City of Barron may impose an additional local room tax of up to 2%, though the current rate is estimated at 1.5%, making the total potential tax burden around 9.5% for short-term rental guests. Hosts must register with both the state Department of Revenue and Barron County to obtain the necessary permits, and exemptions typically apply only to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days or rentals to permanent residents, while some jurisdictions may exempt rentals under $10 per night though this is uncommon in Wisconsin municipalities.

To start an Airbnb in Barron, Wisconsin, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase will be approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural Wisconsin markets. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, and living room furniture. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees in Wisconsin small towns generally cost $300-$800 covering business licenses and short-term rental permits. Insurance premiums for short-term rentals run $1,200-$2,000 annually, with upfront costs around $600-$1,000. Utility deposits and connections typically cost $400-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees on bookings ($300/month estimated), and marketing expenses ($100/month) total approximately $4,500-$5,700. Property taxes and ongoing insurance should be factored at roughly $2,400-$3,600 for the initial six-month period.

Airbnb properties in Barron, Wisconsin typically generate modest profitability with average annual revenues ranging from $8,000-$15,000 for whole-home listings, primarily driven by summer tourism and outdoor recreation activities around nearby lakes and forests. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($50-75 per turnover), property maintenance ($1,200-2,000 annually), insurance premiums ($800-1,500), and Airbnb's 3% host service fee, resulting in net profit margins of 25-45% for well-managed properties. Success factors in this rural Wisconsin market include proximity to popular fishing lakes like Rice Lake and Chetek Chain of Lakes, offering amenities like boat access or winter sports equipment, and maintaining competitive pricing at $80-120 per night during peak season (May-September) and $50-80 during off-season. Properties within 10 miles of Barron's downtown or near major recreational areas typically achieve 45-65% occupancy rates, while those offering unique experiences like lakefront access or hunting lodge aesthetics can command premium rates and achieve profit margins exceeding 50%, though seasonal fluctuations require hosts to budget carefully for lower winter occupancy periods of 15-25%.

Airbnb investments in Barron, Wisconsin typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% based on the area's seasonal tourism patterns and proximity to outdoor recreation areas like the Red Cedar State Trail and local lakes. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 6-10% annually, with properties averaging $75-120 per night during peak summer and fall seasons and 40-60% occupancy rates year-round. Most investors in Barron achieve profitability within 18-24 months, particularly for well-maintained 2-3 bedroom properties priced between $150,000-250,000, with gross rental yields of 10-15% supported by steady demand from visitors to the Chippewa Valley region and weekend travelers from Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area approximately 90 minutes away.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Barron, Wisconsin. Local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Becker Realty and RE/MAX Northwoods Realty have experience with investment properties in the Barron area and understand the local vacation rental market dynamics. AirDNA provides market data and analytics specifically for Airbnb investments in Wisconsin markets including smaller towns like Barron. Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools that can help evaluate potential returns for short-term rentals in the Barron region. Local property management companies such as Vacasa and RedAwning can assist with both finding properties and managing them as Airbnb rentals once purchased. BiggerPockets connects investors with local real estate professionals who specialize in vacation rental properties throughout Wisconsin. Roofstock focuses on turnkey rental properties and occasionally features short-term rental opportunities in Wisconsin markets. Local mortgage brokers like those at First National Bank of River Falls can provide financing options specifically tailored for investment properties intended for Airbnb use in the Barron area.