Is Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, begin by researching local zoning ordinances through the Pleasant Prairie Community Development Department, as the village requires short-term rental operators to obtain a conditional use permit and business license, with properties typically needing to be in residential zones that allow home-based businesses. Contact the Pleasant Prairie Village Hall at (262) 694-1400 to understand specific requirements, which generally include property inspections, parking provisions for guests, and compliance with fire safety codes. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Pleasant Prairie's neighborhoods near Lake Michigan or Highway 165, ensuring the property meets village occupancy standards and has adequate parking. Furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, and amenities while ensuring compliance with Wisconsin's smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting Pleasant Prairie's proximity to Kenosha, Lake Michigan beaches, and the Illinois border, setting competitive rates based on seasonal demand from Chicago-area visitors. Obtain necessary insurance coverage including liability protection, register for Wisconsin state taxes through the Department of Revenue for short-term rental income, and implement a management system for guest communications, cleaning between stays, and maintenance, while maintaining records for Pleasant Prairie's annual permit renewal process and potential village inspections.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of major attractions like the Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets, RecPlex recreation center, and Lake Michigan shoreline access points, as these drive consistent visitor traffic year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces, as families and business travelers visiting nearby Kenosha and the Illinois border prefer these features. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for nightly rates between $120-200 depending on size and amenities, with occupancy rates typically ranging 60-75% in this market. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing, and monitor properties near corporate centers like Abbott Laboratories and Uline headquarters which generate business travel demand. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Kenosha County real estate platforms, while consulting Pleasant Prairie's municipal regulations for STR compliance requirements and connecting with local property management companies familiar with the Wisconsin Dells overflow market that sometimes extends to southeastern Wisconsin properties.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, you must first contact the Pleasant Prairie Community Development Department at 9915 39th Avenue or call 262-694-1400 to begin the application process. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, contact information for a local responsible party within 30 minutes of the property, and payment of applicable fees. The application fee is estimated at $150-250 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-100. You must also comply with Pleasant Prairie's zoning requirements, which generally limit STRs to owner-occupied properties or properties in specific zoning districts, maintain occupancy limits based on bedroom count (typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional), provide adequate parking spaces, and ensure the property meets all building and fire safety codes. The approval timeline is typically 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application, pending zoning compliance review and safety inspection. Once approved, you must display the permit number in all rental listings, maintain a guest registry, respond to complaints within 2 hours, and renew the permit annually by December 31st with updated documentation and fees.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, but are subject to municipal regulations and licensing requirements. The village requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances, which typically restrict short-term rentals to certain residential districts while prohibiting them in some neighborhoods to preserve residential character. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and occupancy limits, with operators required to provide local contact information for guests and neighbors. Pleasant Prairie has implemented noise ordinances and parking restrictions that apply to STR properties, and violations can result in license revocation. The village updated its STR regulations around 2019-2020 to address growing concerns from residents about neighborhood impacts, establishing clearer guidelines for registration, inspection requirements, and enforcement procedures. Property owners must also comply with Wisconsin state tax requirements for short-term rental income and may need to collect local room taxes depending on the rental duration and frequency.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin include the lakefront neighborhoods along Lake Michigan, particularly near Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area and Carol Beach, which attract tourists seeking beach access and nature experiences year-round. The areas surrounding Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets draw significant retail tourism and shopping visitors, especially during peak seasons and holiday weekends. Neighborhoods near the Kenosha Regional Airport and along Highway 165 corridor are ideal for business travelers visiting nearby corporate facilities including Amazon fulfillment centers, Uline headquarters, and various manufacturing companies that relocated to the area between 2015-2020. The residential areas close to RecPlex recreation center and Prairie Springs Park appeal to families attending youth sports tournaments and recreational events. Properties within a 10-minute drive of the Wisconsin-Illinois border benefit from Illinois residents seeking weekend getaways and accessing Wisconsin's lower tax advantages, while the proximity to Six Flags Great America (just south in Illinois) creates seasonal demand from theme park visitors seeking alternative accommodations to expensive hotel options.

Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin imposes a 5% room tax on short-term rental accommodations including Airbnbs, which is collected by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue along with the state's 5% sales tax for a combined rate of approximately 10% on lodging. Kenosha County adds an additional 3% tourism tax, bringing the total occupancy tax burden to around 13% for Airbnb guests in Pleasant Prairie. The room tax is automatically collected by Airbnb through their platform for most bookings and remitted quarterly to the state, though individual hosts may need to register for a seller's permit and file monthly returns if they exceed $1,000 in annual rental income. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue requires hosts to obtain a Certificate of Exemption for any stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, as these are considered long-term rentals and exempt from room tax, while stays under 30 days are subject to full taxation with no other significant exemptions available for typical vacation rental scenarios.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin is approximately $385,000-$425,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $320,000-$350,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing costs range from $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees cost approximately $500-$1,500 depending on local requirements. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage average $2,000-$3,000 annually, with $1,000-$1,500 needed upfront. Utility deposits and setup fees for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900-$1,200), cleaning services ($1,800-$2,400), maintenance and supplies ($1,000-$1,500), property management software ($300-$600), and marketing ($500-$1,000) amount to $4,500-$6,700. Additional considerations include property taxes, HOA fees if applicable, and a recommended cash reserve of $10,000-$15,000 for unexpected expenses and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin typically generate annual revenues of $18,000-$35,000 for entire homes and $8,000-$15,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), property management (10-20% of revenue), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($800-$1,500 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-$4,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with higher margins achieved by hosts who self-manage and maintain high occupancy rates of 60-75%. Success factors in this market include proximity to Lake Michigan attractions, competitive pricing during peak summer months (June-August), professional photography, and maintaining superhost status through consistent 4.8+ ratings. Properties within 10 miles of Wisconsin Dells or featuring lake access command premium rates and achieve occupancy rates 20-30% higher than average, with some lakefront properties generating up to $50,000 annually. The market benefits from year-round demand due to business travelers visiting nearby corporate facilities and seasonal tourists, though winter months typically see 30-40% lower occupancy rates requiring strategic pricing adjustments to maintain profitability.

Based on Pleasant Prairie, 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 within the community. Properties near Lake Michigan shoreline or close to attractions like Jelly Belly Center and Premium Outlets tend to achieve higher returns of 10-14% annually, while standard residential properties average 7-9% ROI. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with break-even on cash investment typically achieved in 8-12 months due to Pleasant Prairie's proximity to Milwaukee (45 minutes) and Chicago (90 minutes) driving consistent weekend and business traveler demand. Properties purchased in the $200,000-350,000 range with 20-25% down payments generally see monthly gross revenues of $2,500-4,200 during peak seasons (May-September), with annual occupancy rates averaging 65-75% for well-managed listings, resulting in net annual returns of $15,000-28,000 after expenses including property management, utilities, maintenance, and local taxes.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Local real estate agents in the Kenosha County area such as Shorewest Realtors, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, and RE/MAX Newport Elite have experience with investment properties and vacation rentals near Lake Michigan. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property management specifically for Airbnb investments. Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools that cover the Pleasant Prairie market, while BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals. Local property management companies such as Vacasa and regional firms like Lake Geneva Property Management extend services to the Pleasant Prairie area for short-term rental operations. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature properties in southeastern Wisconsin markets. Local mortgage brokers and lenders familiar with investment properties include Associated Bank and Johnson Bank, both with strong Wisconsin presence.