Beardstown, Illinois Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Beardstown, IL?

Short‑term rentals are allowed in Beardstown. Based on the materials provided, there is no city‑specific short‑term rental ordinance or licensing requirement, nor is there evidence of prohibitions or caps. As of the 2023–2024 school handbook, Beardstown Municipal/School information shows no local STR rules; the city’s municipal code does not appear on the official site and the Beardstown Facebook community forum shows no posted STR bans or licensing rules. State‑level Illinois requirements still apply (sales/use tax; health and safety rules for lodging; tax reporting). Investors should still verify zoning, HOA rules, insurance, and any landlord/lease restrictions before listing.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Beardstown?

Beardstown hosts earn a median $22,876/year with $145 ADR and 60% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,048+ per year.

See the full Beardstown market breakdown

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

Confirm you can operate:

Confirm zoning with the City Clerk (owner‑occupied and non‑owner‑occupied rentals are commonly treated as residential; any commercial intent, multiple dwellings, or rooming houses require zoning confirmation).
If part of an HOA or subdivision, review covenants for rental limits and guest stays.

Establish your business and tax compliance:

File for an Illinois Business Tax number (sales/use tax) and set up your MyTax Illinois account; register and collect state and local sales tax as required for lodging/amenities.
Choose legal structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.), open a business bank account, and obtain an EIN.
Set up bookkeeping and reporting calendars.

Property preparation and safety:

Install and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms per Illinois law; verify local building/fire compliance for any alterations.
Ensure safe egress, structural integrity, utilities, weatherization, and adequate liability insurance for lodging operations.

Licensing and inspections:

If providing breakfast or food service to guests, contact the Cass County Health Department (310 S. Beasly St., Beardstown, IL; 217/452-7271; cassexec@casscohealth.org) to confirm licensing requirements and any inspections for a B&B/lodging operation.
For lodging‑type facilities (e.g., not a single family home guest room), you may need lodging permits from the health department. Confirm with the state (IL Dept. of Public Health, 217/782‑4977; dph.livingarrangements@illinois.gov) and county health office as applicable.

Insurance:

Carry adequate liability coverage and property coverage reflecting STR occupancy and amenity risks (e.g., pools/hot tubs if present).
Verify coverage for short‑term guest stays and exclude exclusions related to business use or transient occupancy.

Utility setup and guest experience:

Confirm utility capacity, service schedules, and trash/recycling options. Provide guest information on municipal services and emergency contacts.

Guest operations and pricing:

Prepare house rules, cleaning protocols, check‑in/out process, and cancellation policies. Develop rate strategy and channel listings (Airbnb/VRBO) once zoning and licensing are confirmed.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Business registration and EIN (federal/state)
Illinois MyTax account and sales/use tax registration for lodging and amenities
Lodging/food service permits if applicable:
- Cass County Health Department for lodging and food service
- IL Dept. of Public Health (state oversight for lodging rules, 217/782‑4977; dph.livingarrangements@illinois.gov)
Safety compliance (smoke/CO alarms; egress; building/fire as applicable)
Local business registration/occupational taxes if applicable
Zoning confirmation letter/email from the City Clerk
STR‑specific safety checklist and guest manual (house rules, emergency procedures, utility shutoffs)

Specific regulations (city, county, state)

City of Beardstown:
- No published STR ordinance found. No explicit local registration or fee requirements in the materials. Investors must verify zoning and any municipal business registration/occupational tax with the City Clerk.
County (Cass County):
- Health department oversees food and lodging licensing for facilities serving transient guests. Contact for permit scope and inspection requirements.
State of Illinois:
- Sales and Use Tax: Lodging, parking, and amenities may be taxable; register for MyTax and file returns (Illinois Department of Revenue, 217/782‑3336).
- Lodging/Food Safety: Illinois adopts FDA food code; transient lodging must comply with health and safety requirements for hotels/motels/B&Bs. Licensing and inspection requirements vary by scope and size (IL Dept. of Public Health).
- Building/Fire Safety: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm mandates; verify egress and fire safety with local authorities.
- Insurance and Liability: Maintain adequate coverage for lodging activities; understand exclusions for short‑term guest occupancy.
- Anti‑Discrimination: Lodging is a place of public accommodation; comply with state/federal laws.
- Local Safety/Quiet Hours: Observe general public ordinances for noise and disturbance; ensure guest conduct complies with community standards.
- Tax Reporting: Keep accurate records; consult tax advisors for Schedule E and other federal filings; pay state and local taxes.

Contact information (local authority for STRs and related offices)

City of Beardstown
- Clerk: 217/323‑2131
- Address: 105 W. Main St., Beardstown, IL 62618
Cass County Health Department
- Phone: 217/452‑7271
- Email: cassexec@casscohealth.org
- Address: 310 S. Beasly St., Beardstown, IL 62618
Cass County Assessment Office (property tax classification)
- Phone: 217/452‑7244
- Address: 100 E. 2nd St., Beardstown, IL 62618
Illinois Department of Revenue (sales/use tax)
- Phone: 217/782‑3336
Illinois Department of Public Health (lodging and food service)
- Phone: 217/782‑4977
- Email: dph.livingarrangements@illinois.gov

Source pages (provided materials)

Beardstown Community Unit School District #15 Handbook (2023–2024) [official school district site and contact information]
- Source page: www.beardstown.com/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/58bec9ffdaf48/23.24%20Handbook%20Updates.pdf
Beardstown Facebook community group (community discussion; no city STR ban/posts observed)
- Source page: www.facebook.com/groups/btownforum/posts/2922694724533439/

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Beardstown

Beardstown is a small riverfront city in central-western Illinois and the seat of Cass County. With a population of roughly 5,700, the community has the unhurried feel of a traditional Midwestern river town, its compact downtown set just above the banks of the Illinois River. Long known for its commercial fishing industry and, more recently, for the famous Beardstown Ladies investment club of the 1980s, the city serves as a practical gateway to the outdoor landscapes of central Illinois. Beardstown lies about 45 miles northeast of Springfield, the state capital, and roughly 200 miles southwest of Chicago, putting it within a comfortable drive of larger Midwestern hubs while still feeling genuinely off the beaten path.

The Illinois River is the defining natural feature of the area and one of the strongest draws for visitors. Anglers travel here for catfish, sauger, crappie, and white bass, and the adjacent sloughs and backwaters attract waterfowl hunters in season. Boating, sightseeing, and riverside picnicking are all popular ways to enjoy the water, which forms part of the broader Great River Road system connecting the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Public riverfront access and a city marina make it easy for short-term guests to step from their rental straight onto the water.

About 30 miles to the east, near the town of Petersburg, Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site preserves a reconstructed 1830s village where a young Abraham Lincoln lived, worked, and first entered politics. The open-air site features log cabins, costumed interpreters, and a working historic mill, and it is one of the most-visited historical attractions in central Illinois. The easy day trip adds substantial cultural depth to a stay based in Beardstown.

Roughly 25 miles to the southeast, the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area covers more than 16,000 acres of rolling prairie, woodland, and lakes across Cass and Mason counties. Hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife watching draw visitors year-round, with deer, wild turkey, and a growing flock of bald eagles often visible from the trails. The size of the area makes it an appealing complement to a more compact, walkable base in Beardstown.

Downtown Beardstown itself adds a small but genuine layer of local color, with a historic courthouse square, locally owned diners, and antique storefronts that reflect the city's 19th-century roots as a steamboat stop. Travelers passing through often pause here to stretch their legs before continuing along the Illinois River corridor toward Springfield, Jacksonville, or the Mississippi River confluence at Grafton.

For short-term rental owners, Beardstown offers a quiet, affordable setting with easy access to some of central Illinois's most rewarding outdoor and historical experiences. Its riverfront character, central location between Springfield and the Mississippi, and proximity to both Lincoln's New Salem and Panther Creek give guests a varied itinerary that pairs small-town charm with a surprising amount to see and do within a short drive.