Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Jo Daviess County, IL

Airbnb listings are allowed in Jo Daviess County, IL, but with restrictions. All transient rental properties (less than 30 days) must be licensed. Occupancy is limited to 16 persons for homes with 7+ bedrooms; smaller homes are allowed 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional people. Requirements include proof of liability insurance, heating inspections, and well/septic information. 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.

All transient rental properties (less than 30 days) must be licensed. Occupancy is limited to 16 persons for homes with 7+ bedrooms; smaller homes are allowed 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional people. Requirements include proof of liability insurance, heating inspections, and well/septic information.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Jo Daviess County. 1. Obtain a Zoning Certificate from the Planning & Development Department. 2. Submit a completed Guest Accommodations License application with the annual fee and required documents (insurance, floor plans, heating report). 3. Pass a property inspection scheduled by the department. Licenses must be renewed annually by December 31.

1. Obtain a Zoning Certificate from the Planning & Development Department. 2. Submit a completed Guest Accommodations License application with the annual fee and required documents (insurance, floor plans, heating report). 3. Pass a property inspection scheduled by the department. Licenses must be renewed annually by December 31.

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