Madison, WI
Short-Term Rental
Property Management
Kingdom Hospitality helps Madison homeowners host on Airbnb and Vrbo the right way. We handle pricing for Badgers weekends and graduation, guest screening, cleaning, monthly inspections and Madison’s strict permit rules, so your home earns more without taking over your life.
Airbnb Property Management in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is a great city to host in, but it is not a free-for-all. The city only allows short-term rentals in a host’s primary residence, and every listing needs three approvals before the first guest arrives. Most homeowners we work with here rent rooms or a suite while they are home, or the whole house during the weeks they travel.
That is exactly where a local manager earns its keep. We keep your permits current, track the 30-night limit for unhosted stays, handle room tax and price every night around the events that fill this city: Badgers football at Camp Randall, UW move-in and graduation weekends, World Dairy Expo in October and summer Saturdays at the Dane County Farmers’ Market on Capitol Square.
Own a second home that can’t meet the primary-residence rule? We can talk through furnished stays of 30 nights or more for traveling nurses, visiting professors and business travelers.
Why Choose a Local Madison Short-Term Rental Manager?
A manager in another state can’t fix a frozen pipe in February or meet an inspector on short notice. Our local cleaners and vendors handle turnovers, repairs and winter checks, and our team answers every guest message 24/7. Each home gets a monthly seven-point inspection, Superhog guest screening and a smart lock, Ring camera and smart thermostat.
Madison guests are a mix of parents visiting UW students, conference and medical travelers, and fans in town for game day. We write your listing and set house rules for that mix, which keeps reviews strong and neighbors happy. Not sure whether full-service management fits your situation? Try our Host Match Meter.
How We Manage Your Madison Property
Owners often ask how we run homes so smoothly when they are not on site. The short answer is systems, processes and people.
Systems: Guesty connects every booking channel, Superhog screens each guest, and smart locks and cameras keep the home secure between stays.
Processes: a monthly seven-point inspection, a turnover checklist for every stay and a trash plan built around your pickup day.
People: a local network of cleaners, handymen and lawn care pros that we vet and manage for you. Watch the video for a raw look behind the scenes, or read the full blog post on this topic.
What Affects the Cost of Airbnb Management in Madison?
Management pricing in Madison depends on the size of the home, how often it rents, the services it needs and whether you host on site or travel. A one-bedroom suite in your home needs a different plan than a whole house rented during your trips.
We don’t publish one-size-fits-all rates. Instead, we review your property, your goals and the permits you already hold, then share clear terms with no hidden fees during your free property analysis.
Keep in mind the costs every Madison host carries, whoever manages the home: the city zoning permit, the Public Health license and inspection, room tax registration and proper short-term rental insurance.
Can You Run an Airbnb in Madison, WI?
Yes, but only in your primary residence. The City of Madison allows short-term rentals of under 30 nights in a home the host has lived in as a primary residence for the past 12 months. Every host needs a city zoning permit, a Public Health tourist rooming house license and room tax registration. When the host is not on site, rentals are capped at 30 nights per licensing year. With the host present, there is no nightly cap.
Madison Short-Term Rental Permit Checklist
| Approval | Issued by | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist rooming house license | Public Health Madison & Dane County | A pre-inspection is required for the first license, then one inspection each licensing year (July 1 – June 30). |
| Room tax registration | City of Madison Finance / Treasury | Madison's room tax is 10% on stays under 30 nights, plus 5.5% state and county sales tax. Airbnb collects both on bookings made through Airbnb. |
| Zoning permit (ZTRHP) | Building Inspection, Zoning | Issued last, after the license and room tax permit. Tied to one host and one unit and not transferable. |
Rules that shape every listing
- Primary residence for the 12 months before you start
- Unhosted stays capped at 30 nights per licensing year
- Guests limited to twice the legal bedrooms or 12, whichever is lower (children under 12 not counted)
- Renters need written permission in their lease
- Condo, co-op and HOA rules may add limits
Not your primary residence?
Stays of 30 nights or more fall outside Madison's short-term rental rules and are exempt from room tax. Furnished stays for traveling nurses, visiting professors and business travelers can be a smart fit for a second home. Compare both options in our Airbnb vs. mid-term rental guide.
Sources: City of Madison Building Inspection (short-term rental regulations), Public Health Madison & Dane County (getting started with a short-term rental), Wisconsin DOR Publication 219. Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Step-by-step help: Madison short-term rental permit guide and Madison regulations 2026.
Madison Airbnb Market at a Glance
August, July, September and October earn the most, while January and February are the slowest months. Three-bedroom homes lead on revenue at about $59,000 a year. Because the primary-residence rule keeps supply small, a well-reviewed Madison listing can stand out quickly. See our Madison Airbnb demand forecast for what's ahead.
Market figures: Rabbu Airbnb market data for Madison, trailing 12 months as of April 2026.
The Madison Calendar We Price Around
| When | What drives demand | Our pricing move |
|---|---|---|
| September – November | Badgers football at Camp Randall, Ironman Wisconsin, World Dairy Expo | Game-day and event premiums, two-night minimums on big weekends |
| May and December | UW–Madison graduation weekends | Book early, price high, longer minimum stays |
| June – August | Lake season, Concerts on the Square, summer travel | Strong weekend rates, open midweek for business travelers |
| April – November Saturdays | Dane County Farmers' Market on Capitol Square | Weekend demand near downtown and the isthmus |
| January – February | Quietest stretch | Value pricing, longer stays, owner use and upkeep |
Full-Service Management vs. Co-Hosting vs. Self-Managing in Madison
Madison owners have three ways to run a short-term rental. Because the city only allows rentals in a host's primary residence, most owners want help while they travel, not a hands-off investment, so the right choice depends on how much of the work you want to keep.
| Task | Self-managing | Co-host | Full-service (Kingdom Hospitality) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | You set and update every rate | Often included | Rates reviewed weekly around Badgers football, UW–Madison graduation, Ironman Wisconsin and World Dairy Expo |
| Guest messages | You answer day and night | Usually included | 100% of messages answered, 24/7 |
| Guest screening | Platform tools only | Varies by co-host | Superhog verification on every reservation |
| Cleaning and restocking | You hire and schedule cleaners | Coordinated, often billed to you | Scheduled turnovers with checklists and restocking |
| Maintenance | You find and manage vendors | Varies | Monthly preventive inspections and vetted vendors |
| Licensing and taxes | You file the zoning permit, Public Health license, inspection and room tax | Usually still your job | Zoning permit, Public Health license, inspection and 10% room tax filings kept current |
| Your time | Several hours a week, plus emergencies | Less, but you still manage parts | Owner app and monthly owner reports |
| Typical cost | Your time, software and supplies | Commonly about 10% to 20% of revenue | Commonly about 15% to 30% of revenue; we share our terms during your free analysis |
Self-managing suits owners who are home most of the year and enjoy hosting. A co-host can cover messaging or the listing. Full-service management fits when you travel often, want the permit, license and room tax paperwork handled, or simply want every stay run to the same standard.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Madison Airbnb Manager
Fees matter, but the questions below reveal how a manager will actually protect your Madison home, your permit and your reviews.
- What exactly does the fee cover, and what is billed separately? Ask about cleaning, supplies, linens and maintenance markups. Kingdom Hospitality shares clear terms during the free property analysis, with no hidden markups.
- Who keeps my zoning permit, Public Health license and room tax current? In Madison, missing a renewal or inspection can stop your bookings. We track the zoning permit, Public Health Madison & Dane County license, inspection dates and room tax filings for every home we manage.
- How are guests screened, and how are parties prevented? Every reservation we accept is verified through Superhog, and each home is monitored with Ring cameras, smart locks and smart thermostats.
- How fast will you respond to guests and to me? We answer 100% of guest messages around the clock and keep owners updated through the owner app.
- What will I see each month? Monthly owner reports plus an owner app with your calendar, owner blocks and property financials.
- Can I read the full contract and cancellation terms before I sign? Always ask. Our agreement is written in plain language, and we walk through it with you during onboarding.
- Who is on the team, and how long have they managed rentals? Founder Tim Venus and our team have six years of short-term rental experience, 4,000+ hosted stays and a 4.9 overall guest rating.
Madison Neighborhoods Guests Book Most
Since a Madison short-term rental must be your own home, location is set by where you live. These are the areas guests search most, and what they want nearby.
Downtown and Capitol Square
Walkable access to the State Capitol, Monona Terrace, State Street, the Overture Center and the Dane County Farmers' Market draws business travelers and weekend visitors.
The Isthmus and Willy Street
East-side homes near Williamson Street, the Marquette neighborhood and the lakes appeal to guests coming for festivals, concerts at the Sylvee and Breese Stevens Field.
Monroe Street and Vilas
Near Camp Randall Stadium, the UW–Madison campus, UW Hospital and Vilas Park, these homes book quickly for football weekends, graduations and medical visits.
South Side near the Alliant Energy Center
Close to the Alliant Energy Center and the Beltline, this area fills for World Dairy Expo, conventions, trade shows and youth sports.
Madison Property Management FAQs
Is Airbnb legal in Madison, Wisconsin?
Yes, with limits. Madison allows short-term rentals only in a host's primary residence, with a city zoning permit, a Public Health license and room tax registration. Unhosted stays are capped at 30 nights per licensing year.
How much does an Airbnb make in Madison?
Rabbu data put the average Madison listing at about $33,000 a year as of April 2026, with an average daily rate near $208. Three-bedroom homes averaged closer to $59,000. Results depend on the home, how many nights you can legally rent and how well it is priced.
What is the room tax in Madison?
Madison charges a 10% room tax on stays under 30 nights, plus 5.5% Wisconsin and Dane County sales tax. Airbnb collects these on its own bookings, and we make sure everything else is filed correctly.
Can I rent my Madison home while I travel?
Yes, for up to 30 nights per licensing year when you are not on site. If you host while living at home, there is no nightly cap. We track your nights so you stay within the limit.
Can I Airbnb an investment property in Madison?
Not as a short-term rental under 30 nights, because the home must be your primary residence. Many owners of second homes in Madison rent furnished stays of 30 nights or more instead.
Do you manage Airbnbs in the suburbs around Madison?
Reach out with your address. Towns such as Middleton, Fitchburg, Sun Prairie and Verona set their own rules, so we check local requirements before we take on any property outside the city.
How much do Airbnb property managers charge in Madison?
Full-service short-term rental managers in the Madison area commonly charge about 15% to 30% of booking revenue, depending on the services included. Kingdom Hospitality does not publish one-size-fits-all rates; we share clear terms with no hidden fees during your free property analysis.
Can a property manager run my Madison Airbnb while I travel?
Yes. Because Madison requires the rental to be your primary residence, management is most useful while you are away: we handle guests, cleaning, maintenance and the permit, license and room tax paperwork within the city's unhosted-night limit, and you track bookings and earnings in the owner app.
What does a short-term rental manager do in Madison?
A full-service manager prices and markets the listing, screens guests, answers them 24/7, schedules cleaning and maintenance, and keeps the zoning permit, Public Health license, inspection and room tax filings current, then reports results to the owner each month.
Who is Kingdom Hospitality?
Kingdom Hospitality, LLC is a short-term rental management company founded by Tim Venus. Over six years the team has hosted 4,000+ stays with a 4.9 overall guest rating, a 100% response rate and a 0% cancellation rate, and it manages homes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Colorado.
See What Your Madison Home Could Earn
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