Antioch, Illinois Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Summary: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Antioch, IL?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Antioch, Illinois. However, it is important to note that the village does not currently have specific laws governing short-term rentals. Instead, Airbnb hosts and STR operators must comply with standard residential zoning laws. If your STR operation is considered a business activity, you may need to secure a special use permit from the village. Additionally, all hosts must comply with Illinois state law requirements, including collecting a 6% hotel operators' occupation tax from guests and ensuring properties meet all applicable health, safety, and building codes.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Antioch?

Antioch hosts earn a median $27,948/year with $258 ADR and 44% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $43,414+ per year.

See the full Antioch market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Antioch, IL

Step 1: Property Zoning Verification

Before investing in or converting a property for STR use, verify that your property is located in a zoning district that allows short-term rental operations. Since Antioch lacks specific STR ordinances, the use must be compatible with standard residential zoning requirements in your district.

Step 2: Business Classification Assessment

Determine whether your STR operation will be classified as a business activity. If yes, you will need to:

Apply for a special use permit through the village's Community Development Department
Submit documentation demonstrating how the operation will comply with residential character standards
Attend any required public hearings or approval processes

Step 3: Tax Registration and Compliance

Register for and begin collecting the Illinois hotel operators' occupation tax at 6% of the rental price. This is a state-level requirement for all short-term rental operators in Illinois.

Step 4: Building and Safety Compliance

Ensure your property meets all applicable health, safety, and building codes. This may include:

Smoke detector installation and maintenance
Carbon monoxide detector requirements
Fire safety equipment compliance
Local housing and occupancy standards

Step 5: Business Licensing

Contact the village clerk or business licensing department to determine if any additional business licenses or registrations are required for your STR operation.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permits

Special Use Permit: Required if your STR operation is classified as a business activity (Administered by Community Development Department)

Licenses

Business License: May be required depending on the classification of your STR operation
Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax Registration: Required for state tax collection purposes

Compliance Documentation

Tax Registration: Illinois Department of Revenue registration for hotel operators' occupation tax
Property Insurance: Comprehensive liability and property insurance policies
Safety Inspection Documentation: Proof of compliance with health, safety, and building codes

Operational Guidelines

Guest Policies: Clear house rules and policies for guests
Emergency Contact Information: Local contact person available 24/7
Waste Management: Compliance with local garbage and recycling requirements

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Village of Antioch Level

No Specific STR Ordinance: Antioch does not currently have specific short-term rental laws
Residential Zoning Compliance: Must comply with standard residential zoning requirements
Special Use Permit: Required if operation is deemed a business activity
Health, Safety, and Building Codes: All properties must meet applicable codes

County Level (Lake County)

Standard county health and safety requirements apply
No specific county-level STR regulations identified in the provided content

State Level (Illinois)

Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax: 6% of the rental price must be collected from guests
Business Registration: May be required depending on operation structure
Health and Safety Standards: Properties must meet state housing and safety standards

Contact Information

Village of Antioch - Community Development Department

Primary Contact for STR Permits and Zoning Questions

Phone: (847) 395-1000
Email: Contact through village website or specific department
Address: 935 Skidmore Drive, Antioch, IL 60002
Website: www.antioch.il.gov/

Department-Specific Contacts

Building and Code Enforcement

Phone: (847) 395-1000
Email: Contact through Community Development Department

Planning & Zoning

Phone: (847) 395-1000
Email: Contact through Community Development Department

Village Clerk

Phone: (847) 395-1000
Email: lromine@antioch.il.gov

State-Level Contacts

Illinois Department of Revenue

For hotel operators' occupation tax questions and registration
Website: tax.illinois.gov

Important Notes for STR Investors

Regulatory Environment: Antioch's lack of specific STR regulations creates both opportunities and challenges. While there are fewer restrictions, the absence of clear guidelines means operators must be proactive in ensuring compliance.
Zoning Sensitivity: Since STR operations must comply with residential zoning standards, investors should carefully research property zoning before purchase and consider potential impacts on neighboring properties.
Tax Implications: The 6% state hotel operators' occupation tax will impact your pricing strategy and guest experience expectations.
Permit Process: If a special use permit is required, factor in the time and potential costs associated with the approval process, including possible public hearings.
Future Regulation Risk: As STR regulations become more common across Illinois municipalities, Antioch may develop specific STR ordinances in the future. Stay informed about potential regulatory changes.

Source Pages

Summer.com Antioch STR Guide: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/antioch-illinois
Village of Antioch Official Website: www.antioch.il.gov/
Village Code and Ordinances: codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/antiochil/latest/overview
Community Development Department: www.antioch.il.gov/community-development
Building and Code Enforcement: www.antioch.il.gov/building-and-code-enforcement

Disclaimer: This guide is based on information available as of the content provided. Regulations may change, and investors should verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with any STR investment or operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Antioch

Antioch is a small village in Lake County, in the far northeastern corner of Illinois, with a population of roughly 14,000 residents. Situated about 60 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and just a few miles south of the Wisconsin border, it carries a quiet, small-town character that has historically been tied to the surrounding lakes and farmland. The village is best known as a southern gateway to the Chain O'Lakes, one of the largest freshwater recreation networks in the Midwest, and its compact downtown of locally owned shops, taverns, and ice-cream parlors reflects the laid-back pace of a community that swells with visitors every summer.

Just outside town, Chain O'Lakes State Park draws anglers, boaters, campers, and hikers to more than 6,000 acres of woodlands and waterways connected to the Fox River and the larger Chain. Visitors can rent pontoons at nearby marinas, paddle quiet back channels, or hike the park's trails, and the entrance is only about a ten-minute drive from Antioch's center, making it a natural anchor for guests who want to spend their days on the water without straying far from their rental.

A short drive south of Antioch, in the neighboring village of Volo, sits the Volo Auto Museum, a long-running attraction that houses an eclectic mix of classic cars, Hollywood movie vehicles, and vintage Americana. Roughly fifteen to twenty minutes from the village, it draws families and car enthusiasts from across the region and adds a year-round indoor option to a destination otherwise shaped by warm-weather lake activities.

Just across the state line, the resort town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is about a half-hour drive north and offers an entirely different day-trip experience. Known for its historic lakeside mansions, the lakeshore path, boutique shopping, and summer lake cruises, it has been a Midwestern vacation staple for more than a century and gives Antioch-based travelers an easy excursion into a polished, walkable destination without the long drive to a major city.

Together, these attributes make Antioch a quietly compelling base for short-term rentals. Guests can enjoy the unhurried pace of a small Illinois lake town while staying within easy reach of a major state park, a major city, and a famous Wisconsin resort town — a combination that lends itself well to summer lake vacations, fall color trips, and shoulder-season escapes alike.