License Application

Lodging, Body Art, and Manufactured Home License Application (.pdf)

Bed & Breakfast Establishments

For more information, see Chapter ATCP 73.

Hotels, Motels, and Tourist Rooming Houses

The Health Department inspects hotels, motels, tourist rooming houses and bed and breakfast establishments annually. Inspections are to verify guest rooms are cleaned properly and meet all code requirements of Chapter ATCP 72 of Hotels, Motels and. The hotels/motels are also inspected for general safety hazards, proper laundry facilities, and proper refuse collection and removal.

Mobile Home Parks

The Health Department inspects mobile home parks annually to verify the parks meet all code requirements of SPS 326 Manufactured Home Communities.

Tourist Rooming Houses

Many individuals who rent out their properties on sites such as Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway are operating a tourist rooming house. A “Tourist rooming house” is defined as a lodging place, tourist cabin or cottages, other than a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast establishment, in which sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to tourists or transients.

If you are thinking of, or are already, listing your property as a Tourist Rooming House

If you are thinking of renting a Tourist Rooming House

If you are thinking of renting out your property it’s important to contact the Marathon County Health Department to obtain the appropriate permits.

Hosting a Tourist Rooming House

If you are thinking of, or are already, listing your property as a Tourist Rooming House, please contact an Environmental Health Sanitarian at the Marathon County Health Department by calling 715-261-1900 to discuss the process of obtaining a permit for your home, cabin, etc. as a tourist rooming house. 

Licensed Tourist Rooming Houses are inspected annually to ensure the health and safety of transients. During inspection, items such as utensil washing, bedding, sleeping room size, windows, locks, sinks, bathroom, trash, and pools or whirlpools are evaluated.

Our goal is to assist you as a property owner to obtain the needed permit.  Permits are provided by us, in accordance to state law.  If you have any further questions, please call the Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1900 and ask to speak to a sanitarian.

If you choose not to permit this property as a place of lodging, you will no longer be able to offer the property to tourists or transients for pay. The property is to be removed from any locations and websites which advertise the property for rent.

Renting A Tourist Rooming House

If you are renting a Tourist Rooming House in Marathon County, make sure there is a license posted in the home or apartment (see picture below). This license should be in a conspicuous area that is visible to all renters. The indicated I.D. Number, found in the highlighted area, should be included in the online advertising for a licensed Tourist Rooming House. You may also ask to be shown the permit before you agree to rent or call the Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1900 to ask if the property has a current permit.

Licensed Tourist Rooming Houses are inspected annually to ensure the health and safety of transients. During inspection, items such as utensil washing, bedding, sleeping room size, windows, locks, sinks, bathroom, trash, and pools or whirlpools are evaluated.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the property you are renting, please call the Marathon County Health Department at 715-261-1900 and ask to speak with a sanitarian.

If you have questions or would like more information,  please contact the Marathon County Health Department by sending an email to our Sanitarians or by calling 715-261-1900. If you would like to file a complaint, request, or report, doing so will create a public record that is subject to disclosure pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law.