Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Elizabeth, IL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Elizabeth, IL, but with restrictions. Village ordinance defines 'Short-Term Hospitality' as an operator-occupied residence with no more than five guest rooms, operating more than 10 nights per year. Occupancy is limited to two guests per room; only breakfast may be served, and guest rooms cannot have cooking facilities. Operators must provide floor plans to the fire department, install smoke detectors, and maintain liability insurance. 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.

Village ordinance defines 'Short-Term Hospitality' as an operator-occupied residence with no more than five guest rooms, operating more than 10 nights per year. Occupancy is limited to two guests per room; only breakfast may be served, and guest rooms cannot have cooking facilities. Operators must provide floor plans to the fire department, install smoke detectors, and maintain liability insurance.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Elizabeth. For properties governed by the Village of Elizabeth, specific application steps are not available in the ordinance. For properties governed by Jo Daviess County: 1. Submit a completed Guest Accommodations License application with the required fee ($400 initial). 2. Provide documentation including proof of liability insurance, floor plans, and heating/septic reports. 3. Pass a safety inspection conducted by the Planning & Development Department.

For properties governed by the Village of Elizabeth, specific application steps are not available in the ordinance. For properties governed by Jo Daviess County: 1. Submit a completed Guest Accommodations License application with the required fee ($400 initial). 2. Provide documentation including proof of liability insurance, floor plans, and heating/septic reports. 3. Pass a safety inspection conducted by the Planning & Development Department.

Vrbo is permitted in Elizabeth, 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 Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.