Short-Term Rentals in Lake County, IN (2026)

10 rules for unincorporated Lake County, Indiana.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Lake County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Under Indiana's statewide STR law (IC 36-1-24), a local unit may require a permit for each short-term-rental property, but the ordinance may impose only the requirements that state law allows. In unincorporated Lake County the Plan Commission handles zoning; the county has no separate STR permit ordinance.

Short-Term Rental Permits in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

IC 36-1-24-11

A unit may require an owner to obtain a permit for each property by adopting an ordinance that sets forth only the requirements of this chapter for obtaining a permit.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

There is no STR-specific state noise rule. Guests at a Lake County short-term rental must follow the same nuisance/noise ordinance that applies to any residence in the unincorporated county, and the municipal noise ordinance inside cities and towns.

Short-Term Rental Noise Rules in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

IC 36-1-24-14

If three (3) or more citations for ordinance violations are issued to an owner for a permitted property within a calendar year, the unit may revoke the permit for that permitted property for a period of not more than one (1) year after the date the permit is revoked.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Short-term stays in Lake County are subject to the 5% Lake County innkeeper's (lodging) tax under IC 6-9-2, on top of Indiana's 7% state sales tax. The tax applies to rooms and accommodations rented for fewer than 30 days. Any local STR permit fee is capped at $150 by IC

Lake County Innkeeper's Tax on Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

IC 36-1-24-13

a unit may charge a permit fee, not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Indiana's STR law sets no state parking standard; parking for short-term rentals in unincorporated Lake County follows the Lake County Zoning Ordinance's residential off-street parking rules, and city/town codes inside incorporated areas. Any restriction cannot effectively ban STRs.

Short-Term Rental Parking in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Indiana's STR law lets a unit set a reasonable maximum occupancy, and the owner states an intended maximum on the permit application. Lake County proper sets no countywide STR occupancy cap; limits come from any municipal STR ordinance plus building/health codes.

Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

IC 36-1-24-9

the unit may not interpret and enforce the unit's zoning regulations for a special exception, special use, or zoning variance in a manner that is intended or has the effect of prohibiting or unreasonably restricting short term rentals of property to which this section applies.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Indiana's STR law does not mandate a specific insurance policy, and unincorporated Lake County sets no insurance requirement for short-term rentals. Because ordinances may impose 'only the requirements of this chapter,' a unit cannot add its own insurance mandate.

Short-Term Rental Insurance Requirements in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Indiana defines a short-term rental as a stay of fewer than 30 days (IC 36-1-24-6) but sets no annual cap on rental nights. Lake County imposes no statewide-style night limit; any cap on the number of rental nights cannot effectively prohibit STRs.

Night Caps on Short-Term Rentals in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

IC 36-1-24-6

"Short term rental" means the rental of residential property for terms of less than thirty (30) days at a time through a short term rental platform.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Indiana treats registration through the permit system in IC 36-1-24. A unit that requires a permit must issue it within 30 days and may collect owner and property-manager contact details, but cannot add registration requirements beyond what state law authorizes.

Registering a Short-Term Rental in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

IC 36-1-24-11

The unit shall issue a permit to the owner within thirty (30) days of receipt of the application.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Indiana does not require a host to be present during a short-term rental. State law distinguishes owner-occupied from non-owner-occupied STRs but permits both; Lake County cannot mandate on-site host presence as a condition of operating an STR.

Host-Presence Requirements for STRs in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Indiana law protects short-term rentals of an owner's residence. IC 36-1-24-8 makes an owner-occupied STR a permitted residential use that a zoning ordinance may not disallow in any district that permits residential use — so Lake County cannot impose a strict primary-residence-only ban.

Primary-Residence Rules for Short-Term Rentals in Lake County, Indiana

Some Restrictions

IC 36-1-24-8

A short term rental of owner occupied short term rental property is a permitted residential use under any applicable zoning ordinance of a unit and may not be disallowed by any zoning ordinance (as defined in IC 36-7-1-22) in a zoning district or classification of a unit that permits residential use.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Lake County ordinances

See every category we cover for Lake County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Lake County Ordinance Hub →