Lake County, IL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Lake County, IL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 151.113(H)
- Max stay per guest
- 7 consecutive days
- Guest rooms allowed
- 5 per night max
- Required approvals
- Health Dept. + Planning/Building
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Lake County only
Summary
Unincorporated Lake County treats bed and breakfasts as a home occupation needing zoning approval, Health Department inspection, and a 7-day stay cap.
(H) Bed and breakfast. Bed and breakfast operations shall be subject to the home occupation provisions of subsection (E) above... (2) Health Department approval. Approval and inspection by the Lake County Health Department shall be required. (3) Planning, Building and Development Department approval. Approval and inspection by the Planning, Building and Development Department shall be required. (5) Length of stay. Occupancy by any guest shall not exceed seven consecutive days.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Lake County, a bed and breakfast is regulated as a home occupation under the zoning ordinance (§ 151.113(H)). It must clear the customary home-occupation approval of § 151.113(E), plus its own layer: inspection and approval from both the Lake County Health Department and the Planning, Building and Development Department. No more than five bedrooms may be rented per night, one guest sign up to one square foot is allowed, and a permanent guest register must be kept. Guest stays cannot exceed seven consecutive days. This applies only outside Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, Gurnee, Libertyville and the county's other incorporated municipalities, which zone themselves.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required zoning, Health Department, and Planning/Building approvals is a zoning code violation subject to enforcement and citation under the general penalty provision, § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a B&B in unincorporated Lake County?
How long can a guest stay?
Does this apply inside Waukegan or Highland Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
How Lake County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois short-term rentals overview
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