ELITE Lake Real Estate

Can you short-term rent in the Town of Linn?

Allowed with permits

One rental per 7 days, $200 permit, 5% room tax.

Researched by ELITE Lake Real Estate from the town's published code and public records. Checked November 2026 · Next review February 2027.

The rules in plain English

  • Walworth County zoning, which covers the Town, allows one rental per 7-day period: a new guest can't arrive within 7 days of the last one.
  • A short-term rental is any stay of less than one month.
  • Town permit: $200 a year, plus a state license.
  • 5% room tax, with quarterly and annual returns.
  • A Walworth County license is also required ($500 the first year, $200 to renew).
  • Renting more than 45 nights in any 90 days makes rental the primary use.
Shoreline
South shore
Confirm with
Town of Linn Clerk
Also worth knowing
Rental count not published

The full research, with sources

Definition and room tax

A short-term rental includes single-family homes, duplexes and condo units rented for less than one month. Renting or offering a place more than 45 nights in any 90-day stretch makes rental its primary use. A 5% room tax applies, with an annual permit per place of business and quarterly and annual returns (Ord. 2025-002 and 2025-006).

Confirm with: Town of Linn Clerk

Sources: Document (PDF), Document (PDF)

Permit and county requirement

The room tax application costs $200 and needs a copy of the state license. Operators must also provide a Walworth County permit. The 2026 fee schedule lists the short-term rental permit at $200 a year ($400 after a suspension or revocation; late fee $200 plus 10% per 30 days). Walworth County's own rental rules were not researched.

Confirm with: Walworth County Land Use and Resource Management (county permit rules)

Sources: Document (PDF), Document (PDF)

Town boat slips (Hillside Road)

Town docking slips at the north end of Hillside Road are leased only to Town residents or owners of improved Linn property: one slip per address, waiting list, no subletting, not transferable when the property sells. 2026 fees: large slip $3,732.04, medium slip $3,365.23.

Sources: Document (PDF), Document (PDF)

Walworth County rules (all unincorporated towns)

The County licenses rentals of less than 30 days in unincorporated areas (County Code Ch. 26, Art. VII; zoning definitions in Ch. 74, adopted April 19, 2018). The County zoning code allows one rental per 7-day period: a new guest can't arrive within 7 days of the last guest's arrival. A state license must come first. The County license is $500 the first year and $200 to renew. Occupancy is limited to what the septic system (POWTS) is sized for or the state license, whichever is less; on septic that is generally two people per bedroom. Citations for operating without a license are $663 a day.

Confirm with: Walworth County Land Use and Resource Management, 262-741-4972

Sources: Walworth County, Walworth County, Town of Delavan

Quick answers

Can you short-term rent a home in the Town of Linn, Wisconsin?

Allowed with permits. One rental per 7 days, $200 permit, 5% room tax.

Who confirms short-term rental rules in the Town of Linn?

Town of Linn Clerk. Rules change and associations can be stricter than the town, so confirm before you buy.

Homes and communities in the Town of Linn

Homes for sale in the Town of Linn · Geneva Lake

Rental rules in other towns

General information from town ordinances and public records, not legal advice. Rules change, and associations can be stricter than the town. Confirm with the town and the association before you buy. "Not found" means we could not find it in the town's published code on the date checked.