Sangamon County, IL Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Sangamon County has not enacted a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance, and the 1969 county zoning ordinance (Title 17, as amended) does not establish a numeric overnight occupancy cap for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Illinois has no statewide preemption or standard for STR occupancy - 55 ILCS 5 (Counties Code) leaves the matter to local zoning. Sangamon County's general definitions in Chapter 17.04 govern 'family' and 'dwelling unit,' and the underlying single-family use limits apply. The Illinois Plumbing Code and the Sangamon County Department of Public Health regulate private septic system capacity, which can act as a practical occupancy ceiling for rural properties. Most Illinois fire codes adopted at the county level use International Code Council standards for sleeping-room minimum area (typically 70 sq ft for two occupants plus 50 sq ft per additional). Hosts should set a conservative cap (two per bedroom plus two is the common voluntary guideline), respect septic capacity, and confirm any property-specific limits with the Sangamon County Department of Building and Zoning at 217-753-6605.