McHenry County, IL Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)
Key Facts
- By-right rental periods
- Up to 12 per year
- By-right total days
- Up to 90 per year
- Over the cap
- Conditional use permit required
- Each stay
- Under 30 consecutive days
- Woodstock B&B guest max
- 15 consecutive days
Summary
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.
...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 Breakdown
The county UDO defines a Vacation Rental as a furnished dwelling rented "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." The staff report reads this as a hard by-right ceiling of 12 rental periods and/or 90 total rental days annually; exceeding it requires a conditional use permit before occupancy. Woodstock bed-and-breakfast guests may stay no more than 15 consecutive days.
Violations & Fines
Renting beyond 12 periods or 90 days a year without a conditional use permit is a UDO violation subject to zoning enforcement, stop orders, and fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nights can I rent before needing a permit?
Is there a maximum length for a single stay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in McHenry County
Compare McHenry County to another location·View the Illinois short-term rentals overview
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