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Board considers letting short‑term rentals into rural residential zoning as a special use
Summary
LaSalle County staff and board members discussed whether to add bed‑and‑breakfasts or Airbnb‑style short‑term rentals as a special use in rural residential areas, including possible minimum stay conditions and zoning limits.
LaSalle County officials discussed adding bed‑and‑breakfasts or short‑term rentals as a possible special use in rural residential areas during the Sept. 17 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
Brian Gift, the county's land use director, said the idea arose from a resident — described as a doctor — who wants to use a rural residence as a weekend lodging option when not using the home. Gift said the county currently allows residential rentals without approval when the rental exceeds 30 days: "We have, right now, if you you rent it for over 30 days, it doesn't need any approval," he said.
Board members asked whether the county could require a minimum stay (one week, two weeks) as a condition to reduce a rotating “door” of different occupants. Gift said a minimum-stay condition could be attached to an individual special‑use approval and could also be added as a zoning district requirement, but enforcement may be difficult. He suggested staff compare nearby county ordinances for wording and conditions before returning to the board.
The board noted some locations in the county, such as Lake Holiday, have separate rules and may already restrict short‑term rentals. Gift said current A‑1 zoning allows bed‑and‑breakfasts as a special use, but the rural residential district does not; adding a special use would require a text amendment and public process.
No formal change was proposed at the meeting; staff will research model language, potential stay minimums, and how neighboring counties regulate short‑term rentals before bringing a draft back for committee review.
