Yes, short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Quincy, Illinois, as evidenced by the city's hotel/motel tax being applied to short-term rentals. Investors must comply with local, county, and state regulations.

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

The following steps outline the typical process for starting an STR business in Quincy, based on available regulations.

1. Property Selection and Zoning Compliance: Verify that your property is zoned for short-term rental use. The City of Quincy website provides a comprehensive guide to its zoning districts. STRs are generally permitted in commercial districts (C1A, C1B, C2, C3, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5) and certain residential districts with specific allowances. It is crucial to confirm the zoning of your specific property before proceeding. (See "Specific Regulations" and "Sources" below).

2. Financial Setup:

   • Hotel/Motel Tax Registration: You are responsible for collecting and remitting the City of Quincy's Hotel/Motel Room Rental Use or Privilege Tax. This tax is currently set at 8% of the listing price, including any cleaning fees, for reservations 30 nights and shorter. While Airbnb collects this tax on behalf of hosts listed on its platform, hosts must understand their obligation. Non-Airbnb platforms or direct bookings will require the host to collect the tax. The Airbnb article provides a specific reference for Quincy's tax rules (see "Sources" below).

3. Platform Registration and Listing: If you plan to list on a major platform like Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com, you will need to create a host account and register your property. During this process, you will provide property details and confirm your understanding of local tax laws. As noted, Airbnb will automatically collect and remit the required taxes for reservations in Quincy.

4. Business License and Other Permits: While specific permits are not detailed in the provided sources, it is standard practice for municipalities to require a general business license for any commercial operation. Investors should contact the City of Quincy to inquire about any specific business licenses, registration, or safety inspections required for operating an STR.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The following requirements are based on the available information for Quincy and the state of Illinois.

• City of Quincy Hotel/Motel Tax: A key legal requirement is the collection and remittance of the 8% hotel/motel tax for all reservations under 30 nights. This is a local excise tax.
• State of Illinois Hotel Operators Occupation Tax: Airbnb collects the Illinois state tax (5.98-6.17%) on behalf of hosts for qualifying reservations.
• Zoning Verification: A property must be located in a zoning district that allows for the type of short-term rental operation you intend to run (e.g., a full home rental in a C-District, a short-term rental of a room in an R-District).
• Potential Business License: While not explicitly mentioned in the sources, a general business license from the City of Quincy is likely required. Investors must verify this requirement.
• State-Level Regulations: Hosts should be aware of any state-level guidelines or tax obligations. Airbnb's policy is to collect and remit state-level taxes where applicable, but hosts are ultimately responsible for all tax obligations.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

This section breaks down the regulations at the city, county, and state level.

• City of Quincy Regulations:

  • Tax: The primary regulation is the Hotel/Motel Room Rental Use or Privilege Tax of 8%, applied to the listing price including cleaning fees for stays of 30 nights or fewer.
  • Zoning: The permissibility of an STR is determined by the underlying zoning district of the property. Commercial (C) and Downtown (D) districts are the most likely to permit such uses, but investors must consult the city's zoning map and ordinances for specific allowances and any potential restrictions (e.g., limits on the number of rentals, owner-occupancy requirements).

• Adams County Regulations:

  • County-level short-term rental regulations are not mentioned in the provided sources. It is essential to contact Adams County directly to determine if there are any additional county-level permits, taxes, or guidelines that apply to properties within the city limits.

• State of Illinois Regulations:

  • Tax Collection: The primary state-level regulation is the collection of the Illinois Hotel Operators Occupation Tax. Airbnb automatically collects and remits this tax on behalf of hosts for qualifying reservations.

Contact Information for Local Authority

For questions regarding zoning, business licenses, and local regulations, contact the City of Quincy.

• Address: City of Quincy, 730 Maine St, Quincy, IL 62301
• Phone: (217) 228-4500
• Email: cityofquincy@quincyil.gov
• Website: City of Quincy - Tax Revenue

Source Pages

1. Airbnb Help: Occupancy tax collection and remittance in Illinois (This source provides the tax rates for Quincy and other cities, and confirms that short-term rentals are subject to these taxes.)
2. City of Quincy, IL - Zoning Districts (This source provides the zoning structure and districts within the city, which is a primary regulatory factor for short-term rentals.)
3. Localgov Blog: Short-Term Rental Ordinances in the News (This source confirms Quincy, Illinois, as an active case study for short-term rental administration and tax compliance.)