Springfield's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Springfield, Illinois, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Occupancy Limits

Springfield does not set a guest-headcount cap for short-term rentals. The zoning code (Sec. 155.001) limits a tourist home / bed-and-breakfast to an owner-occupied single-family residence renting no more than three bedrooms to transient guests, and the tax code (Sec. 100.26) treats stays of 30 days or fewer as taxable lodging.

Key details: Code Section: Springfield City Code Secs. 155.001 and 100.26. B&B / tourist-home cap: No more than 3 bedrooms rented to transient guests. Owner-occupancy (B&B): Owner-occupied single-family detached residence. Short-term threshold: 30 consecutive days or fewer is taxable lodging. General guest cap: No fixed maximum-occupant number for non-B&B STRs.

Exceeding the three-bedroom limit for a tourist home/B&B converts the use to an unpermitted lodging use enforceable under the zoning code; renting beyond authorized zoning categories is a zoning violation subject to Chapter 155 enforcement.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Springfield has no standalone short-term-rental permit. Operators must hold a city business license under City Code Sec. 110.003 and register for the Springfield Hotel and Motel Room Tax within 30 days of starting business under Sec. 100.61.

Key details: Code Section: Springfield City Code Secs. 110.003 and 100.61. Standalone STR permit: None; covered by business license + hotel-tax registration. Tax registration deadline: Within 30 days of business start date (Sec. 100.61). B&B owner-occupancy: Owner must reside on or contiguous to the premises (Sec. 95.104). State authority: 65 ILCS 5/11-60-1 (municipal licensing power).

Operating without a required registration or license is enforceable under the business-licensing and taxation chapters; tax-registration and remittance failures trigger penalties under Sec. 100.62 and fines under Sec. 100.999 ($25-$500 per day, with each day a separate offense).

The Bottom Line

Springfield's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Springfield is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Springfield can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.