2026-2027 application process
If you plan to operate a short-term rental property within the City you must obtain a license from Public Health Madison and Dane County, and then register with the City to obtain a Short Term Rental Permit. All applications for short-term rentals are required to complete three inspections:
- An inspection from Dane County Public Health for compliance with health codes
- An inspection from the City of Monona building inspection for structural codes
- An inspection from the Monona Fire Department for life safety codes
Applications that do not include these required inspection documents shall not be processed, and the application fee shall not be refunded.
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City of Monona required inspections
- Each property will be inspected by the Building and Fire Departments for compliance prior to issuance of permits. Forms for the Building Department and Fire Department are linked for your reference. The inspections by the City Building Inspection and Fire Department are required to be completed prior to submitting the application to the City and will be considered incomplete without those inspections.
- Checklists for both Fire and Building Inspection are included in the application materials.
- Scheduling of City inspections can be requested by using the contact form on the City’s website.
Ordinance, license and permit requirements
In May of 2026, the Monona City Council amended City Code of Ordinances, Ch. 367 regulating the use of residential properties as Short Term Rentals (STR). The ordinance was written in order to protect the community's public health, safety and general welfare, and to protect the character and stability of Monona's neighborhoods.
Application fee and submittal deadline for short-term rental permits for July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027
Completed application forms must be submitted to the City Clerk by Monday, June 21, 2026, at 5 p.m., along with a one-time payment of the application fee of $750.
Penalties for non-compliance
Any short-term rentals that are actively advertising as of June 1, 2026, and have not submitted a complete application by the June 22, 2026, at 5 p.m. deadline will be subject to late fines. Submittals before this deadline are strongly encouraged. Authorization for any bookings after July 1, 2026, cannot be guaranteed without an approved permit from the City, and may be subject to a $1,000-per-day fine for advertising without a permit.
Quarterly reporting
Quarterly reporting forms must be submitted to the City Clerk four times per year. Required reporting forms are included in the application packet. Due dates are below:
- Quarter 1 (January-March), due May 1
- Quarter 2 (April-June), due August 1
- Quarter 3 (July-September), due November 1
- Quarter 4 (October-December), due February 1
- Failure to submit two quarterly reports on time within any permitting year shall result in the automatic revocation of a permit.
