Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Havana, IL?

Direct answer: Short‑term rentals are allowed in Havana, Illinois. There is no evidence of city-specific prohibition or registration scheme for short‑term rentals in Havana, Mason County. The town allows residential use of dwelling units as short‑term rentals (i.e., rentals shorter than 30 days) subject to the following:

• Compliance with all state laws and local residential codes (life safety, building, fire, zoning, and health).
• Payment of state and local taxes (sales tax, hotel/motel tax, and any applicable county/municipal taxes).
• HOA/Covenant Compliance: If the property is governed by homeowners’ association (HOA) rules, covenants, or private restrictions, those may limit STR activity regardless of municipal/state rules.

Because there is no local (city or county) STR-specific licensing or ordinance identified for Havana/Mason County, the relevant regulatory framework is statewide (Illinois), plus any general building/zoning/health standards that would apply to any residential rental. Investors should plan to operate as a typical short‑term rental business in Illinois, ensuring life-safety compliance, proper taxation, and any HOA constraints.

Important note on sources: You provided a Town of Havana, Florida zoning PDF. Florida’s Havana Zoning Ordinance (Town of Havana, Florida) does not apply to Havana, Illinois. For Illinois, this guide references the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and general Illinois legal frameworks. If you have additional source material specific to Havana, IL or Mason County (IL), please provide it so local provisions can be integrated.

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

1. Confirm Property Eligibility and Zoning

• Use: Verify that a short‑term rental use is consistent with the property’s residential zoning and occupancy classification (e.g., single-family dwelling). While no local STR ordinance is identified, the property must comply with applicable life-safety and building codes for transient occupancy.
• Structure Type: Any legal dwelling unit that can safely accommodate guests (e.g., single-family home, apartment, condo) is generally permissible as an STR if zoning and codes permit a residential use. RVs, tents, vehicles, or non-habitable structures are not appropriate for STR occupancy under typical building/health codes.

2. Life Safety and Building/Fire Compliance

• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms per Illinois law.
• Fire extinguisher(s) appropriately located and maintained.
• Adequate egress: clear, unobstructed exit routes; safety glazing near tubs/showers where applicable.
• Electrical and gas systems maintained in safe condition (inspect or service as needed).
• Posting: Emergency contact information, address, and evacuation instructions should be clearly posted.
• Keep all certificates of inspection or compliance on file.

3. Occupancy and Guest Limits

• Maintain occupancy at reasonable, safe levels based on the size of the unit and local life-safety standards.
• Enforce quiet hours and occupancy rules; ensure no “party house” conditions develop.

4. Taxes and Registration

• Sales Tax (6.25% Illinois state rate): Collect and remit sales tax on room charges for stays less than 30 days. State “良好企业纳税人”（Good Standing） status is advisable.
• Hotel/Motel Tax: Illinois law (35 ILCS 145/1 et seq.) authorizes municipalities to impose a Hotel/Motel Tax on lodging providers. Confirm with the City of Havana and Mason County whether a local hotel/motel tax applies and the current rate and filing requirements.
• Local Business License: If Havana requires a general business license or a municipal tax certificate for any business operating within city limits, obtain and maintain it.
• Platform Registration (if applicable): Some platforms require an EIN/Tax ID; they typically collect and remit certain taxes. Maintain documentation.

5. Insurance

• Obtain short-term rental property insurance or an endorsement that covers guest injuries and property damage for transient occupancy. Work with an Illinois-licensed broker to ensure appropriate limits and exclusions.

6. HOA/Covenants

• If the property is in an HOA, obtain written approval (if required) or confirm no prohibition on STRs; incorporate any owner/guest rules (parking, noise, occupancy) into your listing and guest agreement.

7. Listing and Guest Management

• Vet guests thoroughly; set clear house rules (noise, occupancy, smoking, pets).
• Maintain a guest agreement covering cancellation, damage, and local compliance terms.
• Maintain accurate logs/records for taxes, guest nights, and incidents.

8. Ongoing Compliance

• Renew any required local business licenses or tax certificates.
• File and pay sales tax (and any hotel/motel tax) on schedule.
• Maintain life-safety equipment and re-inspections as needed.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

What you need may vary by property type and occupancy, and whether the city requires a general business license or municipal tax certificate. At minimum:

State-Level:

• Illinois Sales Tax Registration and filing for lodging/transient occupancy (required for STRs renting rooms/units <30 days).
• Collection and remittance of state sales tax (6.25%) on room charges.
• Confirmation of applicable municipal/county hotel/motel tax (if any) and filing procedures.

City/County:

• Business License or Municipal Tax Certificate (if required by the City of Havana for any local business operations).
• Hotel/Motel Tax registration and filing, if Havana/Mason County levies such a tax.
• Property owner’s authorization for STR operations (if agent/manager operates on behalf of owner).
• Emergency Contact posting and emergency procedures for guests.

Property/Operational:

• Smoke and CO alarm compliance documentation (verify installation and function per state law).
• Fire extinguisher maintenance records.
• Guest house rules and STR policy (including quiet hours, parking, occupancy, smoking, pets).
• Incident log and guest screening records.
• Insurance policy or endorsement suitable for short-term rentals.
• HOA approval or written confirmation (if applicable).

Note on building permits: There is no evidence of local STR permitting in Havana, IL. However, if any work requires a building permit (e.g., interior remodel creating additional sleeping rooms, new egress windows, etc.), obtain permits and inspections per the City’s building department procedures.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• State of Illinois (Primary framework for STRs):

  • Sales Tax: 6.25% state sales tax applies to lodging charges for stays less than 30 days. Providers must register and file with IDOR. Sales tax law does not require a local registration unless you also owe municipal/county taxes (e.g., hotel/motel).
  • Hotel/Motel Tax (35 ILCS 145/1 et seq.): Municipalities are authorized to adopt local Hotel/Motel Taxes. Providers must register and remit per the municipality’s rules and rates.
  • No state licensing/registration for STRs exists beyond tax registration.
  • No statewide prohibition on STRs; compliance with life-safety and local rules governs.
  • Illinois law requires all rental properties to provide working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in specific circumstances; ensure compliance.

• City of Havana, Illinois:

  • No specific STR ordinance found. Short‑term rentals are allowed as a residential use, provided general city business, zoning, building, fire, and health standards are met.
  • Confirm whether a general business license or municipal tax certificate is required to operate any business in the city.
  • Confirm whether the city levies a Hotel/Motel Tax on lodging providers and, if so, the applicable rate, registration, and filing schedule.

• Mason County, Illinois:

  • No county‑specific STR licensing or prohibition identified.
  • If the county or another local entity levies a local Hotel/Motel Tax, you must register and file accordingly.

• HOA/Covenants:

  • Private rules can restrict or ban STRs regardless of state/city rules. Confirm with the HOA board or recorded covenants.

Contacts (Phone, Email, Website)

• City of Havana (Illinois) — City Hall (general business licensing, permits, and local taxes)

  • Address: 227 W. Main St., Havana, IL 62644
  • Phone: (309) 543-2228
  • Website: www.cityofhavana.com

• Mason County (Illinois) — County Clerk or Treasurer (for property records and local tax questions)

  • Address: Mason County Courthouse, 102 N. Platt St., Havana, IL 62644
  • Phone: (309) 543-2024 (County Clerk)
  • Website: www.masoncountyil.gov

• Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) — Sales/Lodging Tax Registration and Filings

  • Phone: (217) 782-3336
  • Website: www2.illinois.gov/sites/idor/Pages/default.aspx
  • For online registration/filings: MyTax Illinois portal (linked from IDOR site)

For building/fire/life-safety questions in Havana:

• Contact the City of Havana for whether a local building department administers permits and inspections in town, or the county/State Fire Marshal’s Office as applicable. You can request clarification on who issues building permits and inspections for residential occupancy in Havana.

Links to Source Pages (Illinois-specific)

Note: Your search content included a Town of Havana, Florida zoning ordinance PDF; Florida law does not apply to Havana, Illinois. The following links are state-level references and city/county portals:

• Illinois Department of Revenue (Sales Tax and Hotel/Motel Tax): www2.illinois.gov/sites/idor/Pages/default.aspx
• City of Havana, IL official site (business licensing, municipal taxes, contacts): www.cityofhavana.com
• Mason County, IL official site (county records, local tax questions): www.masoncountyil.gov
• MyTax Illinois (online registration and filing portal for state taxes): mytax.illinois.gov/ (linked from IDOR site)

Investor Checklist (Concise Action Plan)

• Confirm property is zoned residential and suitable for short‑term occupancy.
• Complete life-safety setup (smoke/CO alarms, extinguishers, egress, posting).
• Register for Illinois sales tax; set up monthly/quarterly filing cadence for room charges.
• Check with the City of Havana (and county) on:
  • Any local business license/municipal tax certificate requirements.
  • Any local Hotel/Motel Tax (rate, registration, filing).
• Obtain appropriate STR insurance coverage and maintain documentation.
• If subject to an HOA, get written approval or confirm STR allowances.
• Publish clear guest rules; implement guest screening and quiet-hour policies.
• Maintain records (tax filings, guest logs, safety inspections, incidents).

If you have additional source documents specific to Havana, IL or Mason County (IL)—particularly any local ordinances, building department procedures, or a local Hotel/Motel Tax resolution—please share them so I can add the exact citations, procedures, and any city/county permit and fee details that may apply.