Short-term rentals are explicitly defined and regulated in Belleville, IL. As of 2025, STRs are allowed under city ordinances, but they require a special-use permit when operated in most residential or commercial districts, subject to licensing, occupancy, parking, and property maintenance rules.

Allowing and Starting an STR Business in Belleville

Belleville’s zoning and licensing framework explicitly recognizes and permits short-term rentals (STRs). The city enacted specific ordinances in 2024 (e.g., Ordinance 9322-2024) to define Bed and Breakfast and Short-Term Rental uses, and the City Council approved a wave of STR special-use permits on January 21, 2025 after public debate regarding parking and occupancy. STRs must comply with the city’s business licensing requirements (Title XI, Chapter 117), and operators must list their units on marketing platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) as part of licensing compliance. STRs may operate as principal uses in residential or commercial districts only with special-use approval; in some cases (e.g., mixed-use developments), STR approvals may be bundled with other zoning actions.

To start an STR business, investors should:

• Confirm zoning eligibility with the Planning Department and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) process.
• Prepare a special-use permit application for the subject property.
• Complete business licensing under Title XI, Chapter 117 and comply with marketing-platform listing requirements.
• Pass all required property maintenance and building inspections, including occupancy limits set under applicable codes.
• Ensure compliance with city parking, trash, and exterior maintenance standards.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Belleville’s STR regime is layered: zoning approval via special-use permit, city business licensing, and ongoing property standards. Key steps include:

• Special-use permit approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals and City Council for operation in residential or commercial districts.
• Business license under city code (Title XI, Chapter 117) and compliance with listing requirements on marketing platforms.
• Property maintenance standards and building code inspections, including occupancy limits.
• Adherence to parking, trash, exterior storage, and lawn maintenance requirements enforced under city codes.

City council discussions emphasized that STRs are distinct from rooming houses; they are full-unit rentals for short-term stays, and occupancy loads are set through inspection and applicable codes. Operators should anticipate review of parking impacts on narrow streets, property upkeep, and potential overflow issues.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (City/County/State)

City-level regulations explicitly recognize STRs:

• Ordinance 9322-2024 establishes definitions for Bed and Breakfast and Short-Term Rentals in the zoning code (Title XV).
• The City Council approved multiple STR special-use permits on January 21, 2025, following ZBA recommendations, and tabled a broader zoning-code amendment pending further review with economic development staff.
• Licensing requirements under Title XI, Chapter 117 mandate operators to list STR units on marketing platforms and comply with business licensing rules.
• Property maintenance and building codes govern occupancy limits and safety standards; the council did not introduce new enforcement ordinances beyond these existing standards during the January meeting.
• The city did not enact citywide STR-specific occupancy caps or parking conditions beyond general property and traffic standards; concerns about parking and occupancy were discussed but not codified as additional permit conditions.

County-level (St. Clair County) and state-level (Illinois) STR-specific regulations are not detailed in the provided content. Investors should verify any county or state requirements separately.

Contact Information

City of Belleville

• Address: 101 S Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220
• Phone: 618-233-6810
• Website: www.belleville.net
• Relevant Departments:
  • Economic Development (director referenced in council meeting; primary contact via city switchboard)
  • Planning and Zoning / Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
  • City Clerk’s Office (licensing under Title XI, Chapter 117)
  • Building and Property Maintenance (inspections and occupancy standards)

Given the active council debate in January 2025, investors are advised to coordinate directly with the Economic Development and Planning offices to confirm current permit requirements, inspection schedules, and any pending zoning amendments.

Source Links

• City Code of Ordinances overview and access: www.belleville.net/316/City-Code-of-Ordinances
• Online Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing): codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/belleville/latest/overview
• 2024 Non-Codified Ordinances (includes STR definitions—Ordinance 9322-2024): www.belleville.net/DocumentCenter/View/12644/ORDINANCE-9322-2024_CASE-50-SEP24_BED-AND-BREAKFAST-AND-SHORT-TERM-RENTALS
• Citizen Portal article summarizing Jan 21, 2025 City Council meeting on STR permits: citizenportal.ai/articles/6375100/Belleville/St.-Clair-County/Illinois/Belleville-council-approves-short-term-rental-permits-after-debate-over-parking-and-occupancy
• Full meeting video and transcript (Citizen Portal): citizenportal.ai/Search/View?dp=1&key=2142439-b85d811894e0700ee2e215a338d9db8f&start=903&end=1350

Operational Notes and Investor Considerations

Belleville is actively permitting STRs under a case-by-case special-use framework, with ZBA review and City Council approval. The council postponed a comprehensive zoning-code amendment, indicating ongoing policy refinement. Operators should be prepared for scrutiny regarding neighborhood impacts—particularly parking and property maintenance—and must align with licensing, inspection, and marketing-platform requirements. Investors should confirm any pending updates with Economic Development and Planning before acquiring or converting properties.