Short-Term Rentals in McHenry County, IL (2026)

6 rules for unincorporated McHenry County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

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

Short-Term Rental Permits

In unincorporated McHenry County, a furnished home may be rented short-term up to 12 rental periods or 90 days a year by right; exceeding those limits requires a conditional use permit. Cities like Crystal Lake and Woodstock require their own permits.

Short-Term Rental Permits in McHenry County

Some Restrictions

McHenry County Code §16.56.030.VV

Vacation Rental. Dwelling units, or portions thereof, that are offered as vacation rentals for more than twelve (12) rentals per calendar year or more than ninety (90) days per calendar year shall obtain a conditional use permit prior to occupancy.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

McHenry County's off-street parking table sets a bed-and-breakfast's minimum at two spaces plus one per guestroom, and a vacation rental's minimum at one space per unit, under UDO Section 16.64.080(A) and Table 16.64-1. Any fraction of a required space still counts as a full space.

McHenry County Short-Term Rental Parking Rule

Some Restrictions

McHenry County UDO § 16.64.080(A), Table 16.64-1

A. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces to be provided for the designated uses is as follows in Table 16.64-1: Required Off-Street Parking. ... Bed and Breakfast 2 + 1 per guestroom ... Vacation Rental 1 per unit

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

McHenry County sets no per-person occupancy cap for unincorporated vacation rentals, limiting them by rental frequency instead. Woodstock bed-and-breakfasts are capped at five guest rooms, with each guest room serving no more than two transient guests per night.

Occupancy Limits for Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Woodstock UDO §7B.2.9(B)

Bed and breakfast establishment... with no more than five (5) guest rooms for rent... Guest room. A sleeping room within a B&B establishment intended to serve no more than two (2) transient guests per night.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

In unincorporated McHenry County a vacation rental may operate by right up to 12 rental periods OR 90 total days per calendar year; renting beyond either limit requires a conditional use permit. Guests may stay only in periods of less than 30 consecutive days.

Annual Night and Rental Caps

Some Restrictions

McHenry County Code §16.08 (Vacation Rental)

...rented or offered for rent for more than twelve (12) rental periods per calendar year or more than ninety (90) days per calendar year to guests on a nightly, daily, weekly, or any other occupancy period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Unincorporated McHenry County only recognizes a short-term lodging use as a bed and breakfast if the operator remains on premise while guests are staying. Section 16.08.020 caps a bed and breakfast at five guest rooms, requires a conditional use permit in every zoning district that allows it, and pairs the use with 2 parking spaces plus 1 per guest room.

Bed and Breakfast Host Presence Rule in McHenry County

Significant Restrictions

McHenry County UDO § 16.08.020 (Definitions: BED AND BREAKFAST)

BED AND BREAKFAST. An operator- occupied DWELLING UNIT that provides lodging to the public for compensation in no more than five (5) guest rooms, where the operator remains on premise during the time that the DWELLING UNIT is utilized by guests and where the operator provides guests with additional services such as breakfast. A BED AND BREAKFAST serves the purpose of providing the opportunity f...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Unincorporated McHenry County's vacation rental definition applies regardless of whether the dwelling is the operator's full-time residence, so there is no rule confining short-term rentals to a host's primary home. Any dwelling rented more than 12 times or 90 days a year to short-term guests instead needs a conditional use permit under § 16.56.030VV.

McHenry County Vacation Rentals: No Primary-Residence Rule

Some Restrictions

McHenry County UDO §§ 16.08.020 (Definitions: VACATION RENTAL), 16.56.030VV

VACATION RENTAL. A furnished DWELLING UNIT, or portion thereof, that is rented or offered for rent for more than twelve (12) rental periods per calendar year or more than ninety (90) days per calendar year to guests on a nightly, daily, weekly, or any other occupancy period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days regardless of whether or not the DWELLING UNIT is occupied as a full time reside...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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