Is Trevor, Wisconsin Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Trevor, Wisconsin, begin by researching Kenosha County and Village of Trevor zoning ordinances and short-term rental regulations, as Wisconsin municipalities typically require special permits or licenses for rentals under 30 days. Contact the Village of Trevor clerk's office to obtain necessary business licenses and verify if short-term rentals are permitted in your zoning district. Find a suitable property by searching MLS listings through local realtors like Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX, focusing on areas near Silver Lake or Chain O' Lakes for tourist appeal, with properties typically ranging $200,000-$400,000. Obtain required permits including a business license from Kenosha County, possible conditional use permits, and ensure compliance with Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services building codes. Furnish the property with quality furniture from retailers like Ashley HomeStore in Kenosha or online suppliers, focusing on durable pieces and essential amenities like WiFi, linens, and kitchen supplies. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photography highlighting proximity to Wisconsin lakes and Chicago (45 minutes away), setting competitive rates around $100-150 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols with local services like Molly Maid, implementing keyless entry systems, maintaining responsive guest communication, and tracking income for Wisconsin state tax reporting requirements including sales tax registration with the Department of Revenue.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Trevor, Wisconsin, focus on lakefront or near-lake locations within 1-2 miles of Lake George or other area lakes, as these command premium rates year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, boat access, or scenic views, built after 1980 to minimize maintenance issues. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties in nearby Lake Geneva (typically $150-300/night) and Delavan Lake areas, aiming for properties under $400K that can generate $35K+ annually. Research competition by monitoring active STR listings within a 5-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting occupancy rates, pricing strategies, and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Utilize Kenosha County property records, STRHelper for local regulation compliance, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with the Lakes Region market, while considering seasonal demand patterns with peak summer months (June-August) and winter activities driving year-round bookings.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Trevor, Wisconsin, you must first contact the Town of Trevor Clerk's office at 262-862-2696 or visit their office at 26910 Silver Lake Road to inquire about short-term rental regulations and application procedures. Required documents typically include a completed STR application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a site plan showing parking areas and emergency access routes. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-150. You'll need to submit your application to the Town Clerk and schedule a property inspection with the building inspector to ensure compliance with fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and zoning requirements. The approval timeline is typically 30-60 days from submission of a complete application. Trevor-specific requirements likely include adherence to residential zoning restrictions, maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and septic capacity, designated off-street parking spaces, proper waste management arrangements, and compliance with noise ordinances. Once approved, you must display your permit number in all advertising and maintain current insurance and contact information on file with the town.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Trevor, Wisconsin, as the village does not have specific ordinances prohibiting them, following Kenosha County's approach of allowing STRs with basic compliance requirements. However, operators must ensure their properties comply with standard zoning regulations, building codes, and safety requirements, and may need to register with the state for tax purposes. Wisconsin state law requires STR operators to collect and remit room taxes, and properties must meet basic health and safety standards. While Trevor hasn't implemented restrictive STR regulations like some larger Wisconsin municipalities such as Milwaukee or Madison, operators should verify current zoning compliance and may face noise ordinances or occupancy limits typical of residential areas. The legal landscape for STRs in Wisconsin has been evolving since 2018-2020, with some communities implementing registration requirements or operational restrictions, but smaller communities like Trevor have generally maintained a more permissive approach while ensuring basic regulatory compliance.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Trevor, Wisconsin are primarily concentrated around the Powers Lake district and the Chain O'Lakes region, which attract summer tourists and weekend visitors from Chicago and Milwaukee due to excellent fishing, boating, and water recreation opportunities. The downtown Trevor area near Highway 50 offers potential for business travelers visiting nearby industrial facilities and corporate offices in the greater Kenosha County region. Properties near Silver Lake and Camp Lake provide strong seasonal rental demand from families seeking lakefront vacation experiences, while areas close to the Wisconsin-Illinois border benefit from cross-state visitors attending events at nearby venues like the Bong Recreation Area. The rural residential zones between Trevor and Salem offer attractive investment opportunities for guests seeking peaceful retreats and outdoor activities, particularly during peak summer months from May through September when lake activities and local festivals drive consistent occupancy rates.

Trevor, Wisconsin imposes a 5.5% state sales tax on short-term rental accommodations including Airbnbs, which is collected by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Additionally, Airbnb hosts in Trevor are subject to Lincoln County's room tax of approximately 3%, bringing the total lodging tax to around 8.5%. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a seller's permit and remit state sales tax monthly or quarterly depending on volume, while the county room tax is typically collected and remitted directly to Lincoln County on a monthly basis. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically for hosts through their platform in Wisconsin as part of their tax collection agreements with the state and local jurisdictions. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than taxable short-term accommodations, and certain stays by government employees or tax-exempt organizations may also qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Trevor, Wisconsin, expect total costs around $285,000-$320,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $250,000-$275,000 based on median home prices in Kenosha County lakefront communities. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees in Wisconsin include business registration ($35), potential local rental permits ($200-$500), and tax registration which varies by municipality. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total around $500-$800 initially. First six months operating costs including utilities ($200-$300 monthly), cleaning supplies and services ($150-$250 monthly), maintenance reserves ($100-$200 monthly), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $4,000-$6,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the startup period.

Airbnb properties in Trevor, Wisconsin, typically generate annual revenues of $15,000-$35,000 for lakefront properties and $8,000-$18,000 for standard homes, with occupancy rates averaging 45-65% during peak summer months due to proximity to Lake Geneva recreational activities. Operating expenses generally run 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$125 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($200-$400 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,000 annually), and maintenance costs. Profit margins typically range from 15-30% for well-managed properties, with lakefront cabins and homes with amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, and boat access commanding premium rates of $150-$300 per night versus $80-$150 for standard properties. Success factors include professional photography, responsive guest communication, strategic pricing during Geneva Lake's peak season (May-September), and partnerships with local activity providers, with properties within 2 miles of the lake consistently outperforming those further inland by 25-40% in both occupancy and nightly rates.

Based on Trevor, Wisconsin market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location within the market. Properties near recreational areas like lakes or outdoor attractions tend to perform at the higher end with 15-18% annual returns, while standard residential properties average 12-15%. Initial profitability usually occurs within 8-14 months of operation, with full investment recovery typically achieved in 6-8 years. Seasonal fluctuations significantly impact performance, with summer months (June-August) generating 40-50% of annual revenue due to Wisconsin's tourism patterns. Average daily rates range from $85-150 depending on property size and amenities, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Properties requiring minimal renovation show faster paths to profitability (8-10 months) compared to full rehabs (12-18 months), and investors should expect initial cash investment requirements of 20-25% down payment plus 10-15% additional for furnishing and setup costs.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Trevor, Wisconsin. Local real estate agents in the Lake Geneva area such as Keefe Real Estate and Century 21 Affiliated serve the Trevor market and have experience with investment properties suitable for Airbnb. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and BiggerPockets provide market analysis and property search tools for the southern Wisconsin region. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services that can help investors in Trevor maximize their Airbnb returns. Local property management companies such as Lake Geneva Property Management and Williams Bay Realty have experience managing short-term rentals in the area. Additional national platforms like Roofstock, HomeUnion, and Awning focus specifically on helping investors find and purchase rental properties, while services like Host Financial and Stessa provide financial analysis tools for Airbnb investments in smaller Wisconsin markets like Trevor.