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
Short-term rental rules by town, at a glance
The short answer for every town we've researched. Open a town for the full rules and sources.
Geneva Lake
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| City of Lake Geneva | Allowed with a City license | 2-night minimum, one guest every 7 days, 180-day season |
| Town of Linn | Allowed with permits | One rental per 7 days, $200 permit, 5% room tax |
| Village of Williams Bay | Allowed with a Village license | New 2026 rules for 7 to 29 nights |
| Village of Fontana | Depends on location | Short stays only in named districts |
Delavan Lake
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Delavan | Allowed with permits | One rental per 7 days, three licenses, 8% room tax |
| City of Delavan | Check with the City | Room tax permit required; zoning not confirmed |
Lake Como
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Geneva | Allowed with a Town license | One rental per 7 days, 180 days a year, 6% room tax |
Powers Lake
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Randall | Check with the Town | No town rental ordinance found online |
| Village of Bloomfield | Check with the Village | No village rental ordinance found online |
| Town of Wheatland | Check with the Town | No town rental ordinance found online |
Lauderdale Lakes
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of La Grange | County license, one rental per 7 days | One rental per 7 days, county and state licenses |
| Town of Sugar Creek | County license, one rental per 7 days | One rental per 7 days, county and state licenses |
Twin Lakes
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Village of Twin Lakes | Allowed with a Village license | Village license, 2 per bedroom plus 2 |
Lake Beulah
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of East Troy | County license, one rental per 7 days | One rental per 7 days, county and state licenses |
| Village of East Troy | Check with the Village | No local rental ordinance found online |
Phantom Lakes
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Mukwonago | County license, check local zoning | County-issued state license, no local ordinance found |
| Village of Mukwonago | Room tax, no local license found | 6% room tax, county-issued state license |
Whitewater Lake
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Whitewater | County license, one rental per 7 days | One rental per 7 days, county and state licenses |
| Town of Richmond | County license, one rental per 7 days | One rental per 7 days, county and state licenses |
Blue Spring Lake
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Palmyra | Check with the Town and County | No town rental ordinance found; state license required |
Other towns nearby
| Town | Short-term rentals | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Walworth | Allowed with Town and County licenses | One rental per 7 days, up to 180 days a year, $500 Town license |
| Town of LaFayette | Allowed with a County license | One rental per 7 days, County license, 6% Town room tax |
| Town of Lyons | Allowed with a County license | One rental per 7 days, County license |
| Town of Troy | Allowed with a County license | One rental per 7 days, County license |
| Town of Spring Prairie | Allowed with a County license | One rental per 7 days, County license |
| Town of Darien | Allowed with a County license | One rental per 7 days, County license |
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.