Kane County, IL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Kane County Code Section 7-61 requires anyone renting a dwelling in the unincorporated county for stays of less than 30 days to hold a short-term rental license issued by the Director of the Development and Community Services Department. Adopted by Ordinance 26-038 on January 13, 2026, the licensing article covers any property advertised through a hosting platform, excluding hotels, motels, group homes and bed-and-breakfasts. The initial license fee is $200, and each subsequent year costs $100 to renew. Section 7-61 sets a hard renewal deadline: if the owner does not renew by January 31, the license is forfeited outright and the owner must start over with a brand-new application rather than a simple renewal.

Getting licensed is only step one. Section 7-62 requires an annual registration form naming the owner, a 24-hour local contact, the property address, and the advertised listing details, plus proof of insurance and inspection documentation before the Department will issue the license. Section 7-63 further ties the license to compliance with the county building code and zoning ordinance for the structure being rented, and use of the property can never exceed what the underlying zoning district allows. The Director can revoke or suspend a license at any time for violations of the short-term rental article or any other county code provision.