McHenry County, IL Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Unincorporated county
- No per-person cap
- Woodstock B&B rooms
- Max five guest rooms
- Per guest room
- Max two guests/night
- Woodstock STR
- Max occupancy posted in unit
- Crystal Lake
- Set by limited-use permit
Summary
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.
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 Breakdown
The unincorporated county UDO defines a Vacation Rental by rental periods, not guest headcount, so occupancy is not directly capped there. Cities impose limits: under the Woodstock UDO, a bed-and-breakfast establishment may have "no more than five (5) guest rooms for rent," and a guest room is "intended to serve no more than two (2) transient guests per night." Woodstock short-term rental certificates must post the unit's maximum occupancy inside the rental. Crystal Lake sets occupancy through its limited-use permit conditions.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the approved guest-room count or per-room occupancy is a UDO/license violation; Woodstock STR overage can draw $500-$1,000 escalating fines and license suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can stay in a Woodstock B&B room?
Does the county limit how many guests my rental holds?
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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