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

10 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.

Permit Requirements

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 ↗

Noise Rules

McHenry County has no short-term-rental-specific noise rule; guest noise is handled under the general noise nuisance rules by the McHenry County Sheriff's Office, which the county says fields most STR noise complaints after normal business hours.

Short-Term Rental Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

McHenry County levies no county-wide lodging tax on short-term rentals; taxes are set by cities. Crystal Lake charges a 7% hotel/motel occupancy tax that a tourist home must remit, and Woodstock applies a 5% hotel-motel tax to lodging operators.

Short-Term Rental Taxes and Fees

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Woodstock requires one off-street parking space per rental guest room plus two spaces for the residence. In unincorporated McHenry County, parking complaints are referred to the Township Highway Commissioner because they arise when cars overflow onto narrow public roads.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Some Restrictions

Woodstock UDO §7B.2.9(C)(9)

One off-street parking space shall be provided for each authorized guest room, plus an additional two (2) spaces for the principal residential dwelling.

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 ↗

Insurance Requirements

Unincorporated McHenry County imposes no insurance requirement on vacation rentals. Woodstock does: a short-term rental certificate application must include proof of insurance showing rental and vacation-property coverage, and an HOA statement where applicable.

Short-Term Rental Insurance Requirements

Some Restrictions

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 ↗

Registration Rules

Unincorporated McHenry County requires no registration or fee for a by-right vacation rental, only a conditional use permit above the annual caps. Cities require registration: Crystal Lake and McHenry both mandate a $0-fee registration, and Woodstock B&Bs must keep a guest register.

Registering a Short-Term Rental

Some Restrictions

Woodstock UDO §7B.2.9(C)(3)

Each B&B establishment shall maintain a guest register.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

The unincorporated county does not require a host on the premises during guest stays. Woodstock is stricter for bed-and-breakfasts: the operator must reside in the establishment, and short-term rental certificates require a designated local agent reachable about the property.

Host On-Site Requirements

Some Restrictions

Woodstock UDO §7B.2.9(B)(3)

Bed and breakfast operator. The owner of the B&B establishment, or the owner's agent, who is required to reside in the B&B establishment.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Unincorporated McHenry County does NOT require a vacation rental to be the owner's primary residence; its code expressly allows renting whether or not the home is a full-time residence or the resident stays on site. Woodstock bed-and-breakfasts, by contrast, must be operator-occupied.

Primary-Residence Requirement for Rentals

Some Restrictions

McHenry County Code §16.08 (Vacation Rental)

...regardless of whether or not the DWELLING UNIT is occupied as a full time residence or whether or not the full time resident remains on the premise during the time that the DWELLING UNIT is utilized by guests...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All McHenry County ordinances

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