Green Bay Packers officials urge compliance as interest in short-term leases for 2025 NFL Draft skyrockets | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM

A Packer-style vacation rental in Green Bay. PC: Fox 11 Online

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, there is increasing talk about renting a home.

There are currently 270 short-term rentals in the city of Green Bay.

“We expect the numbers to increase as the season progresses. I’m already getting calls about the draft,” says Mike Bouotott, the city’s compliance inspector.

As the draft draws closer, city officials like Boutott want anyone looking to enter the world of short-term rentals to know that it’s not as simple as simply listing your home online.

“This sign tells you that you have a short-term rental permit in the city of Green Bay. Without this sign, you do not have a permit,” Boutott said, holding up a short-term rental permit to a group of dozens of people.

Those dozens of people attended the short-term rental information session Wednesday night, where Green Bay police and the city’s legal and inspection departments explained step-by-step how to apply – and what happens when police are called to rental properties.

Michael Friedman is one of the many who came to the meeting.

“It’s important to get an idea of ​​what’s happening here in the rental industry, but also to find out if there are special regulatory rules or anything like that for the NFL Draft,” he says.

Friedman’s hospitality company, Simple Life Hospitality, specializes in managing short-term rentals in the region.

“We currently manage about six homes here around Lambeau Field, but we have over 100 homeowners who want to get their home into the design program we’ve put in place, and we have to make sure we’re following all the rules and regulations and getting the things done that need to be done. We have to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s,” he adds.

Friedman says his company receives five to 10 calls a day from people looking to get into the world of short-term rentals simply because of the design.

Those who are in the rental business elsewhere – or deal with long-term rentals – say they came to Wednesday’s meeting just to soak up as much information as possible.

“I also just wanted to see what precautions were in place to make sure my tenants wouldn’t rip me off and bring people in who might cause trouble and stuff like that. As a landlord, I also have to look out for the other tenants who live in the building,” says Cinnamon Harley, a longtime landlord in the area.

“The draft is obviously a big deal, so I’m considering maybe doing that for my primary residence, but also whether that’s a viable option in Green Bay going forward. Of course, I’m learning about all the new costs associated with inspection, permits and the like,” adds Anthony Schmidt, a longtime landlord in communities around Green Bay.

Many in attendance asked officials if application fees or city ordinances would change for those seeking to rent an apartment solely for military service. Officials said at this time, the answer is no.

The city also says it has a software program that scans rental sites to see who is offering rentals in the city. If you are caught renting without a permit, you will receive a letter telling you to follow the proper process.

If the owners repeatedly ignore these letters, they face fines.