Is Green Bay, Wisconsin Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Green Bay, Wisconsin, begin by researching local regulations as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that typically allow rentals in residential areas with restrictions on occupancy and parking. Contact Green Bay's Community Development Department to understand specific permit requirements, which may include a conditional use permit depending on your property's zoning classification. Find a suitable property by searching neighborhoods like the Historic District, East Side, or areas near Lambeau Field that attract tourists, ensuring the property meets safety codes and has adequate parking. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the City Clerk's office (approximately $50-100), potential conditional use permits ($200-500), and ensure compliance with Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services regulations for rental properties. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and safety equipment including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers as required by state law. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing (typically $80-150 per night in Green Bay), and highlight proximity to attractions like Lambeau Field, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, and downtown entertainment. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols, guest communication systems, and consider hiring local cleaning services or property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning if you prefer hands-off management, while maintaining compliance with Wisconsin's 5.5% state sales tax and Brown County's additional lodging taxes that apply to short-term rentals.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Green Bay, Wisconsin, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Lambeau Field, downtown areas near the Fox River, and neighborhoods like Astor Park or East Town that offer walkability to restaurants and attractions. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1980 with parking, updated kitchens/bathrooms, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to Packers fans and business travelers visiting companies like Schneider Electric or Georgia-Pacific. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings during peak seasons (September-January for football, summer for festivals), aiming for properties that can generate $150-250 per night during Packers home games and $80-120 during off-season. Study competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify market saturation and optimal pricing strategies, while monitoring occupancy rates of existing STRs in your target neighborhoods. Utilize tools like BiggerPockets for investment analysis, Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches, and the Brown County tourism website to understand seasonal demand patterns, ensuring your investment aligns with Green Bay's unique market driven by sports tourism, business travel to major employers, and summer recreational activities along the bay.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Green Bay, Wisconsin, you must first contact the Green Bay Planning Department at City Hall located at 100 N Jefferson Street to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city implemented STR regulations around 2019-2020. Submit an application through the Planning Department including required documents such as a completed STR permit application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan showing adequate off-street parking, contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), and a waste management plan. Pay the application fee of approximately $150-250 plus any inspection fees of around $75-100. The city will conduct a zoning review and property inspection to ensure compliance with building codes, fire safety requirements, and occupancy limits (typically maximum 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional). The approval timeline is generally 4-6 weeks from complete application submission. Green Bay specific requirements include maintaining a guest registry, posting the permit number in advertisements, limiting occupancy to no more than 10 guests, providing adequate parking (usually 1 space per bedroom), ensuring proper waste disposal, and maintaining the property in accordance with residential property maintenance codes. Annual renewal is required with a fee of approximately $100-150, and operators must comply with Wisconsin state tax requirements including room tax collection.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but operate under specific municipal regulations that were updated in recent years. The city requires STR operators to obtain a license and comply with zoning restrictions, with properties generally permitted in residential areas but subject to occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Green Bay prohibits STRs in certain residential zones and requires operators to maintain liability insurance, provide emergency contact information, and ensure properties meet safety standards including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The city implemented stricter enforcement measures around 2020-2022 following neighbor complaints about noise and parking issues, and violations can result in license revocation. Properties must also comply with Wisconsin state tax requirements for transient accommodations, and the city has established a complaint process for residents to report problematic STR operations, with fines ranging from $200-$1,000 for violations of municipal ordinances.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Green Bay, Wisconsin include the Titletown District near Lambeau Field, which attracts year-round visitors for Packers games, tours, and events at the entertainment complex developed by the Green Bay Packers organization since 2017. Downtown Green Bay offers strong potential due to its proximity to the Fox River, CityDeck boardwalk, and business district that draws corporate travelers visiting companies like Schneider Electric and Georgia-Pacific. The Broadway District provides opportunities with its historic charm, walkability to restaurants and entertainment venues, and appeal to tourists exploring the area's heritage. Near the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus in the Cofrin area, properties can capitalize on visiting families, prospective students, and academic conference attendees. The Allouez neighborhood along the Fox River attracts visitors seeking waterfront experiences and easy access to both Green Bay attractions and Door County destinations. The Heritage Hill area near the National Railroad Museum draws history enthusiasts and families, while properties near Bay Beach Amusement Park and Wildlife Sanctuary can capture leisure travelers during summer months when tourism peaks.

In Green Bay, Wisconsin, Airbnb hosts must collect and remit a 5.5% Wisconsin state sales tax and a 6% Wisconsin room tax on all short-term rental stays under 30 days, with the combined rate totaling 11.5% of the gross rental amount. Additionally, hosts are subject to Brown County's 3% room tax, bringing the total occupancy tax burden to approximately 14.5%. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a seller's permit and file monthly or quarterly returns depending on their volume, with taxes due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Green Bay also imposes a local room tax that varies but typically ranges around 8-10% for lodging establishments, though enforcement and collection procedures for short-term rentals may vary by property type and registration status. Hosts must collect these taxes from guests at the time of booking or check-in and remit them directly to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and applicable local authorities. Exemptions may apply for stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, certain government or non-profit travelers, and in some cases for properties rented fewer than 10 days per year, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria as regulations have evolved significantly since 2018-2020 when many Wisconsin municipalities began implementing stricter short-term rental tax compliance requirements.

Starting an Airbnb in Green Bay, Wisconsin requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $8,000-12,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and basic appliances. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-3,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $300-800 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and city registration requirements. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage cost approximately $1,200-2,000 annually, with $600-1,000 needed upfront. Utility deposits and initial connections for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total around $500-800. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($150-200/month), cleaning services ($50-75 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($100-150/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and property management software ($30-50/month) amount to approximately $2,500-4,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates of 50-60% during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Green Bay, Wisconsin typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire homes and $8,000-$18,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$140 depending on proximity to Lambeau Field and seasonal demand during Packers games. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,500 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-4,000 yearly). Properties within 2 miles of Lambeau Field achieve the highest profit margins of 35-45% due to premium pricing during football season, while downtown properties near the Fox River average 25-35% margins with more consistent year-round bookings. Success factors include strategic location near major attractions, professional photography, responsive host communication, and dynamic pricing that capitalizes on Packers home games when rates can surge 200-400% above baseline. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000 and generating $28,000 in annual revenue with $16,000 in expenses yields approximately $12,000 net profit annually, representing a 6.7% return on investment before considering property appreciation, making Green Bay's Airbnb market moderately profitable for well-positioned properties.

Airbnb investments in Green Bay, Wisconsin typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties near Lambeau Field and downtown areas command premium rates of $80-150 per night during Packers season and summer months, while off-season rates drop to $60-90 per night. With average property acquisition costs of $150,000-250,000 and renovation expenses of $15,000-30,000, investors can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months. The market benefits from consistent demand driven by Green Bay Packers games, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay events, and summer tourism, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Properties within 2 miles of Lambeau Field typically achieve the highest returns at 10-14% ROI, while those in residential neighborhoods see more modest returns of 7-9% but maintain steadier year-round bookings.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Green Bay, Wisconsin, providing market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments include Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group agents who focus on investment properties, RE/MAX New Horizons agents with vacation rental expertise, and Shorewest Realtors who understand the Green Bay tourism market. National services include Mashvisor for property analysis and ROI calculations, AirDNA for short-term rental market data and performance metrics, Awning for full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, Roofstock for turnkey rental property investments, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Local property management companies like Bay Area Property Management and Fox Cities Property Management offer services to help investors maximize their Airbnb returns, while vacation rental specialists such as RedAwning and Vacasa provide market insights for the Green Bay area including properties near Lambeau Field and the Fox River.