Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Based on the provided sources, short-term rentals (STRs) such as Airbnb or Vrbo properties are allowed in unincorporated areas of Grundy County, Illinois, which includes parts of Morris, IL, but are not explicitly regulated within the city limits of Morris itself. On June 16, 2023, the Grundy County Board approved an ordinance classifying STRs as an "administrative use" in unincorporated areas, meaning operators must comply with county zoning and safety requirements. However, no city-specific regulations for Morris are detailed in the sources. For properties within the City of Morris, investors should consult the city directly, as municipal rules may differ. The key takeaway is that STRs are permitted under county oversight in unincorporated Grundy County, but Morris city regulations remain unclear from the provided content.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

To establish an STR in unincorporated Grundy County (which may include areas near Morris), follow these steps based on the regulatory framework:

1. Property Assessment: Ensure the property is located in an unincorporated area of Grundy County and complies with zoning requirements. Verify that the property is not within the City of Morris limits, as city-specific rules may apply.
2. Administrative Use Application: Submit an application for STR as an "administrative use" to the Grundy County Land Use Department. This process is streamlined but requires review by multiple agencies.
3. Compliance Review: The application will be routed to relevant departments, including the Environmental Health Director, Highway Engineer, County Sheriff, and others, to ensure safety features like smoke detectors, noise control, and property buffers are in place. Operators must address any deficiencies.
4. Ongoing Compliance: Maintain compliance with the 12 requirements set by the county (details not specified in sources). These likely cover safety, operational, and neighborhood impact standards.
5. Tax Registration: While Grundy County does not have a hotel/motel tax (unlike some cities), operators must register with the county and may need to collect state-level taxes. Consult the Illinois Department of Revenue for details.

Note: The process is relatively new, with only one STR property existing in unincorporated areas as of June 2023. Operators should expect ongoing oversight.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The sources do not specify exact documents or permits beyond the administrative use application. However, the following are implied:

• Administrative Use Application: Filed with the Grundy County Land Use Department.
• Safety Compliance Documentation: Proof of safety features (e.g., smoke detectors, pet leash policies) reviewed by the Environmental Health Director.
• Property Information: Details submitted to the County Sheriff and Highway Engineer for awareness and safety.
• Registration: Registration with Grundy County, as STRs are treated as administrative uses. No specific license is mentioned in the sources.
• State-Level Requirements: Illinois state laws may apply, such as sales tax registration for STRs, but these are not detailed in the provided content. Operators should verify with the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Since the sources lack specifics, investors should contact the local authority for a full checklist of requirements.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Regulations vary by jurisdiction:

• Grundy County (Unincorporated Areas):
  • STRs are permitted as an administrative use, approved by the Grundy County Board on June 16, 2023.
  • Operators must follow 12 requirements (not listed in sources), which cover safety, noise, pets, buffers, and other features.
  • The property must be reviewed by multiple departments (Environmental Health, Sheriff, etc.) for compliance.
  • No hotel/motel tax is imposed by the county, but this may change in future meetings.
• City of Morris: No specific regulations are provided in the sources. The City of Morris Comprehensive Plan (2018) does not mention STRs, so investors should confirm municipal rules with the city directly.
• State of Illinois: No state-specific regulations are detailed in the sources. Generally, Illinois requires STR operators to collect state taxes (e.g., sales tax), but confirm with the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Enforcement is primarily complaint-based, with the county focusing on unincorporated areas. Morris city may have its own zoning and permit processes.

Contact Information

The local authority for STRs in unincorporated Grundy County is the Grundy County Land Use Department, led by Land Use Director Heidi Miller. However, direct contact details are not provided in the sources. For inquiries:

• Grundy County Land Use Department: Contact via the Grundy County website or offices (phone and email not listed in sources).
• Additional Contacts: Environmental Health Director Eric Gibson and County Sheriff Chris Balkema are involved in reviews, but their contact information is not provided.
• General County Contact: Grundy County Administration Building, Morris, IL (phone: 815-941-1000, based on news site contact; verify for official use).

For City of Morris STR regulations, contact the City of Morris directly, as city-specific information is not available in the sources.

Links to Source Pages

• Grundy County Board Approves Short-Term Rentals as Administrative Use (WCSJ News)
• Short-Term Rentals Now Allowed in Unincorporated Grundy County (Shaw Local)
• City of Morris Comprehensive Plan 2018 (Morris IL Official Site)

Investors are advised to monitor updates, as the county may introduce hotel/motel taxes or additional requirements. This guide is based solely on the provided content and should be supplemented with direct contact to authorities.