Occupancy Limits: Highland Park vs Waukegan
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Highland Park, IL and Waukegan, IL?
Waukegan has fewer restrictions than Highland Park.
Highland Park, IL
Lake County
Highland Park regulates short-term rentals under Title XV, Chapter 150, Section 150.430 of the Zoning Code, adopted by City Council on November 9, 2020. The ordinance treats an STR as the accessory use of a dwelling unit for transient overnight stays shorter than 30 consecutive days, requires annual registration with Community Development by April 1, and ties overnight occupancy to the underlying property maintenance and life-safety code for the dwelling.
View full Highland Park rules →Waukegan, IL
Lake County
Waukegan does not have a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance with a numeric overnight occupancy cap. STR operators must obtain a City business license through the Business Licensing Department, comply with the Waukegan Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) zoning rules adopted July 1, 2024, and meet the occupancy limits in the underlying Property Maintenance Code applicable to the dwelling.
View full Waukegan rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Highland Park | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Title XV Ch. 150 Sec. 150.430 | - |
| Adopted | November 9, 2020 | - |
| Annual Fee | $30 per unit | - |
| Renewal Deadline | April 1 | - |
| Occupancy Source | Certificate of occupancy | Certificate of Occupancy |
| Stand-Alone STR Cap | - | None adopted |
| Governing Framework | - | UDO 7/1/2024 + Bus License |
| Permit Authority | - | Business Licensing Dept |
| Contact | - | 847-599-2500 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Highland Park FAQ
How many guests can stay overnight in a Highland Park short-term rental?
Section 150.430 does not publish a stand-alone numeric overnight cap. The maximum overnight guest count for your unit is set by the certificate of occupancy and the property maintenance and life-safety code administered by the Building Division (847-432-0808), which apply minimum sleeping-room floor area and egress standards to the dwelling.
Do I need to notify my neighbors before renting on Airbnb in Highland Park?
Yes. Section 150.430 requires the owner, before the first short-term rental of a calendar year, to deliver written notice to the owners of every property contiguous to the STR and to register the unit with Community Development by April 1 each year for a $30 fee under the Chapter 154 program.
Waukegan FAQ
How many guests can stay overnight in a Waukegan short-term rental?
Waukegan has not adopted a numeric STR occupancy cap. The maximum overnight guest count for your unit is set by the certificate of occupancy and the underlying property maintenance code, typically two persons per bedroom plus additional persons based on minimum sleeping-room floor area. Confirm the figure with the Business Licensing Department before listing.
Do I need permission from the City to host on Airbnb in Waukegan?
Yes. Every STR operator must hold a Waukegan business license, comply with the Unified Development Ordinance adopted July 1, 2024, and pass Fire and Building Department inspections. Depending on your zoning district, a Conditional Use Permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission may also be required.
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