Regulations >
Illinois >
Kankakee

Want to see how Kankakee compares to other top cities in Illinois?  Explore all city regulations in Illinois. →

B

Kankakee, IL

Generally Investor Friendly

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Kankakee STR Expert
Kankakee, Illinois skyline

STR Regulations for Kankakee, Illinois

Executive Overview: STR Legality in Kankakee, IL

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Kankakee, Illinois, but they operate within a structured regulatory framework that requires proper licensing, permits, and compliance with specific conditions. The city has established dedicated short-term rental regulations and maintains a digital business license system specifically for STR operators. Investors must navigate a multi-layered approval process involving the Economic & Community Development Agency (ECDA), Planning & Zoning Department, and compliance with fire safety, health, and code enforcement requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Kankakee?

Kankakee hosts earn a median $31,654/year with $151 ADR and 66% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $39,893+ per year.

See the full Kankakee market breakdown →

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Kankakee

Step 1: Initial Planning and Zoning Review

Before purchasing or developing an STR property, engage with the Planning & Zoning Department to determine:

  • Zoning compliance for your specific property location
  • Whether a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required
  • Parking variance requirements (as evidenced by recent approvals)
  • Setback and density restrictions

Step 2: Secure Short-Term Residential Rental Business License

  • Apply digitally through the ECDA Short-Term Residential Rental Business License portal
  • License fee: $65 for single unit, $11 for each additional unit
  • License is non-transferable - new owners must obtain a new license
  • Required regardless of compensation level - even if no money is collected

Step 3: Property Preparation and Compliance

  • Rental inspection required every two years
  • All utilities must be operational during inspection (water, gas, electric)
  • Fire protection equipment installation per Fire Department requirements
  • Occupancy limits established by Fire Department

Step 4: Operational Setup

  • Designate local agent/manager residing in Kankakee County
  • Register social media advertising accounts with city staff
  • Install required signage (subject to restrictions)
  • Establish refuse storage protocols

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Licensing Requirements

  1. Short-Term Residential Rental Business License (Digital application)
  2. Rental License ($65 single unit, $11 per additional unit)
  3. Conditional Use Permit (if required by zoning)
  4. Parking Variance (if property cannot meet parking requirements)

Inspection and Safety Compliance

  • Rental inspection covering interior/exterior health, safety, and welfare
  • Fire Department approval for occupancy limits and safety equipment
  • Health Department compliance (Kankakee County Health Department)
  • Code enforcement compliance

Documentation Requirements

  • Property ownership verification
  • Agent/manager designation (must be Kankakee County resident)
  • Social media advertising account registration
  • Guest instruction materials (parking, noise, refuse disposal)
  • Business registration with ECDA

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State Level

City of Kankakee Regulations

Short-Term Rental Regulations (Adopted)

  • Detailed compliance requirements available in municipal code
  • Specific conditions for nuisance behavior restrictions
  • Signage restrictions and requirements
  • Refuse storage and pickup protocols

Zoning Compliance

  • STR definitions and requirements distributed across zoning ordinance chapters
  • Recent Planning Board concerns about code consolidation
  • Parking requirements (typically one off-street stall, variances available)
  • Conditional use permit requirements in certain zoning districts

Operational Requirements

  • Agent/manager must be present for inspections
  • Occupancy limits determined by Fire Department
  • Fire protection equipment installation mandatory
  • Compliance with stormwater management requirements

Kankakee County Requirements

  • Kankakee County Health Department compliance required
  • Agent/manager must reside within Kankakee County
  • Regional planning considerations

Illinois State Requirements

  • 6.25% use tax collection required on all STR rentals
  • Standard state housing and safety regulations apply
  • Illinois Department of Public Health compliance for lodging establishments

Enforcement and Penalties

The Planning Board has expressed concern about inconsistent enforcement due to distributed regulations across city code chapters. However, recent cases demonstrate active enforcement through:

  • Condition monitoring during CUP process
  • Code enforcement participation in approval process
  • Requirements for ongoing compliance reporting

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

Primary Licensing Authority

Economic & Community Development Agency (ECDA)

Planning and Zoning Department

Director: Melissa W. King

  • Phone: (815) 936-7314
  • Email: mwking@citykankakee-il.gov
  • Department Phone: (815) 936-7320
  • Address: 275 E Court St., Suite 201, Kankakee, IL 60901
  • Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Website: citykankakee-il.gov/planningzoning.php

Building and Code Department

Additional Contacts

Fire Department

Kankakee County Health Department

Public Works Department

Links to Source Pages

Primary Regulatory Documents

Application and Form Links

Planning and Zoning Resources

Government and Contact Pages

Recent Approval Documentation

Important Note for Investors: The Planning Board has identified concerns about the分散 nature of STR regulations across city code chapters. This may indicate upcoming consolidation efforts that could affect requirements. Additionally, recent case approvals demonstrate that parking variances are available under specific circumstances, but conditions related to guest behavior, stormwater management, and neighborhood impacts are increasingly factored into approvals. Investors should maintain direct communication with Planning & Zoning staff and attend Planning Board meetings to stay informed of regulatory updates.

Next step

Found a property in Kankakee?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Kankakee →

Free brief

Get the free Kankakee STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Kankakee, Illinois in one email.

Kankakee

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
3/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Kankakee Market Analysis →

Photos of Kankakee

Overview of Kankakee

Kankakee ( KANG-kə-KEE) is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. Located on the Kankakee River, as of 2020, the city's population was 24,052. Kankakee is a principal city of the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area. It serves as an anchor city in the rural plains outside Chicago.

Want to know if a property in Kankakee is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.