Aurora does not impose a minimum-night requirement or an annual cap on the number of nights a registered short-term rental may host guests. Operators must hold a current City rental license issued by the Department of Neighborhood Standards, comply with the Aurora Property Maintenance Code, and remit the Illinois Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax (35 ILCS 145, 6 percent) on stays under 30 days.
Unlike Chicago's detailed Shared Housing Unit framework (Chicago Municipal Code Title 4 Chapter 4-14), Aurora has not published a minimum length of stay or a maximum number of rental nights per calendar year for short-term rentals. Once the owner registers the property in the City's Rental Licensing Program (administered by the Department of Neighborhood Standards / Property Standards Division at 630-256-3770), pays the Rental Program Fees adopted July 14, 2015, and completes the Landlord Training Class held monthly at Aurora Police Headquarters, the unit may host short-term guests subject to general property maintenance, zoning, building, and life-safety code compliance. The license year runs September 1 through August 31 and renewals are due each August 31. Illinois has no statewide STR preemption and does not cap nights, so the framework remains local. Operators must collect and remit the Illinois Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax under 35 ILCS 145 (6 percent state) on all stays under 30 days, and may also be subject to county hotel-motel taxes for the relevant county portion of Aurora (Kane, DuPage, Kendall, or Will). Airbnb and Vrbo collect some Illinois taxes on behalf of hosts, but the host remains responsible for any local taxes the platforms do not collect. Confirm zoning eligibility (home occupation rules and any applicable zoning district restrictions) with the City before listing.
Because Aurora does not publish a night cap, the operational risk is operating without a current City rental license, failing to attend the required Landlord Training Class, failing to notify the Development Services Department within ten business days of an occupancy change (fine up to $500 plus license fees), or failing to remit Illinois Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax under 35 ILCS 145. Citations are issued by the Department of Neighborhood Standards and the Illinois Department of Revenue collects unpaid state hotel tax with interest and penalties.
See how other cities in this county handle night caps.
See how Aurora's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.