Can I short-term rent it?
Every town on the lakes writes its own rental rules, the county adds more in unincorporated towns, and some associations go further. Start with the lake and town, then send me the address for a full check.
Town of Linn
Allowed with permits- 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.
The full research for Town of Linn, 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
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.