Is Menomonie, Wisconsin Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Menomonie, Wisconsin, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Menomonie Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a conditional use permit and business license, with properties needing to meet specific zoning requirements and safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Contact Dunn County for any additional county-level requirements and ensure compliance with Wisconsin state tax obligations including sales tax registration. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near UW-Stout campus or downtown Menomonie for higher demand, with typical property costs ranging $150,000-$300,000 for single-family homes. Apply for your conditional use permit through the Menomonie Planning Commission, which typically costs $200-$500 and requires a public hearing process taking 4-6 weeks. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the City Clerk's office ($50-$100 annually) and register for Wisconsin sales tax with the Department of Revenue. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and local amenities, budgeting $10,000-$20,000 for a complete setup. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting proximity to UW-Stout, Red Cedar State Trail, and Lake Menomin, pricing competitively at $80-$150 per night depending on size and amenities. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols, guest communication systems, and maintenance schedules, or hire local property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning that operate in the Wisconsin market, while maintaining compliance with ongoing city inspections and permit renewals.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Menomonie, Wisconsin, focus on locations within walking distance of the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus, near downtown Main Street, or close to Lake Menomin and Red Cedar State Trail for outdoor recreation access. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, reliable Wi-Fi, parking, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate visiting families, university guests, and outdoor enthusiasts. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against existing STRs in the $80-150 nightly range, accounting for seasonal fluctuations during university events, graduation, and summer recreation periods. Research competition by analyzing occupancy rates and reviews of current Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius of campus and downtown, identifying gaps in amenities or property types. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX agents familiar with Menomonie's rental market, while consulting the City of Menomonie's zoning regulations and STR licensing requirements to ensure compliance before purchase.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Menomonie, Wisconsin, you must first contact the Menomonie Community Development Department at City Hall located at 100 Main Street West to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your zoning district, as the city requires a conditional use permit for most STR operations. Submit an application for a conditional use permit along with required documents including a site plan, floor plan showing the rental unit layout, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, emergency contact information for a local representative available 24/7, parking plan showing adequate off-street parking, and waste management plan. The application fee is approximately $500-800 for the conditional use permit process, plus additional fees for inspections and administrative costs totaling around $200-300. You must also obtain a business license from the City Clerk's office for approximately $50-75 annually and register for state and local tax collection. The timeline typically takes 6-8 weeks from application submission, including a public hearing before the Plan Commission and potential City Council review. Menomonie requires STR operators to maintain occupancy limits based on bedroom count plus two additional guests, provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas, ensure compliance with building and fire codes through inspection, maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and designate no more than 25% of units in multi-family buildings for short-term rental use.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Menomonie, Wisconsin, but operate under specific municipal regulations established around 2019-2020. The city requires STR operators to obtain a conditional use permit and business license, with properties subject to safety inspections and compliance with zoning ordinances. STRs are generally permitted in residential zones but face restrictions including occupancy limits (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), parking requirements (one space per bedroom), and noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM. The city prohibits STRs in certain residential areas near the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus to address concerns about neighborhood character and student housing impacts. Recent changes include stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced complaint procedures, with violations potentially resulting in permit revocation. Property owners must also comply with Wisconsin state tax requirements and maintain liability insurance, while the city has implemented a registration system to monitor compliance and address neighbor concerns about property maintenance and transient occupancy impacts.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Menomonie, Wisconsin are the downtown historic district near Main Street, which attracts visitors to local restaurants, shops, and cultural events while being walking distance to the Red Cedar State Trail; the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus area, particularly neighborhoods within 1-2 miles of campus that capitalize on parent visits, graduation ceremonies, and university events throughout the academic year; the lakefront areas around Lake Menomin, which draw tourists for fishing, boating, and scenic recreation especially during summer months; and the Wilson Park/Riverside area near the Red Cedar River, popular with outdoor enthusiasts using the extensive trail system for biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing. These locations benefit from Menomonie's position as a regional hub with steady demand from university-related travel, outdoor recreation tourism, and business travelers visiting local manufacturing companies, while the historic downtown provides cultural attractions and the natural areas offer year-round recreational opportunities that justify premium nightly rates.

In Menomonie, Wisconsin, Airbnb hosts are subject to Wisconsin state sales tax of 5% and room tax of 5%, totaling 10% on short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. Dunn County imposes an additional room tax of approximately 3%, bringing the total occupancy tax to around 13%. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits state and local taxes directly to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and local authorities on behalf of hosts. Hosts must register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for a seller's permit and may need to register separately with Dunn County for local room tax collection if not handled automatically by the platform. Monthly or quarterly remittance is required depending on volume, with returns due by the 20th of the following month. Exemptions may apply for stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and for certain government or charitable organization bookings with proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Menomonie, Wisconsin is approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for beds, linens, furniture, appliances, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration cost approximately $500-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable cost around $500-$800. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies and services ($200/month), maintenance reserves ($150/month), platform fees ($300/month based on bookings), and marketing expenses ($100/month) total approximately $8,100. Additional considerations include property taxes of roughly $2,500-$4,000 annually and potential HOA fees if applicable, bringing the comprehensive startup investment to the estimated range.

Airbnb properties in Menomonie, Wisconsin typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$120 depending on proximity to UW-Stout campus and seasonal demand. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (10-15% if outsourced), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs. Properties within walking distance of the university campus achieve higher occupancy rates of 65-75% annually compared to 45-55% for more distant locations, with peak demand during graduation weekends, homecoming, and summer months when students seek short-term housing. A typical 3-bedroom property near campus generating $28,000 annually might incur $14,000 in expenses, yielding a 50% profit margin before taxes and mortgage payments. Success factors include strategic location within 1-2 miles of UW-Stout, competitive pricing during university events, professional photography, responsive guest communication, and maintaining high cleanliness standards, as the market heavily depends on university-related travel, visiting families, and occasional business travelers to the Menomonie area.

Based on Menomonie, Wisconsin market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location proximity to University of Wisconsin-Stout. Properties within 2-3 miles of campus or downtown areas command higher nightly rates of $80-120, while suburban locations average $60-90 per night. Initial investment recovery generally occurs within 7-10 years, with positive cash flow typically achieved within 18-24 months after accounting for mortgage payments, property management fees of 15-25%, cleaning costs, and seasonal occupancy fluctuations. Peak demand periods during university events, graduation, and summer months drive occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, while winter months see reduced demand at 40-50% occupancy. Properties requiring minimal renovation show faster profitability timelines of 12-18 months, while extensive rehabs may extend break-even periods to 30-36 months.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Menomonie, Wisconsin, using data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents in the Menomonie area who specialize in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Brenizer & Company, RE/MAX Synergy, and Century 21 Affiliated, with agents like those at Keller Williams North Central also serving the Dunn County market. National services that assist Airbnb investors include Mashvisor for property analysis, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, Awning for turnkey Airbnb investments, RedAwning for property management, and Roofstock which occasionally features short-term rental properties. Local property management companies such as Menomonie Property Management and regional firms like Vacasa provide ongoing management services for Airbnb properties. Additional national platforms like BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals, while HostGPO offers purchasing power for furnishing and supplies, and companies like Furnished Finder help with corporate housing opportunities that can supplement Airbnb income in the Menomonie market near the University of Wisconsin-Stout.