Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Charleston, IL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Charleston, IL, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are permitted only with a conditional use permit per the City’s UDC text amendment. Operators are subject to the City’s Hotel/Motel/Bed & Breakfast/Short-Term Rental occupancy tax, which must be filed monthly. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are permitted only with a conditional use permit per the City’s UDC text amendment. Operators are subject to the City’s Hotel/Motel/Bed & Breakfast/Short-Term Rental occupancy tax, which must be filed monthly.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Charleston. 1. Complete and file the short-term rental / UDC amendment application packet to appear before the Board of Zoning Appeals/Planning. 2. Attend the public hearing for review; approval is required before the conditional use permit is issued. 3. Register for and pay the City’s monthly short-term rental occupancy tax through the City Clerk’s office.

1. Complete and file the short-term rental / UDC amendment application packet to appear before the Board of Zoning Appeals/Planning. 2. Attend the public hearing for review; approval is required before the conditional use permit is issued. 3. Register for and pay the City’s monthly short-term rental occupancy tax through the City Clerk’s office.

Vrbo is permitted in Charleston, IL under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Charleston are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Charleston. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.