Executive Summary: Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Murphysboro, IL. There is no city ordinance in the provided sources that prohibits or specifically licenses/permits short-term rentals as a separate category. Property operators must comply with the City’s Housing Code (including obtaining an Occupancy Permit and any required Building/Plumbing/Electrical permits), and may need a county Bed & Breakfast license if the operation meets the B&B definition (operator-occupied residence, up to five guest rooms, breakfast provided to guests). State law may also impose additional requirements depending on the property type and services offered.

How to Use This Guide: This document summarizes the regulatory framework for operating an STR in Murphysboro and Jackson County. It is investor-focused, practical, and directly tied to the provided municipal and county sources. Where the sources do not specify STR details, this guide flags the gap and directs you to the appropriate authority.

1) Allowability of Short-Term Rentals in Murphysboro

• Permitted: The City’s Housing Code does not prohibit rentals or short-term stays. It regulates minimum housing standards, habitability, inspections, occupancy permits, and enforcement. There is no provided city ordinance that bans or creates a standalone STR licensing regime for whole-home or hosted rentals.
• County Overlay: Jackson County regulates “Bed & Breakfast Establishments.” If an STR meets the county’s B&B definition (operator-occupied residence, no more than five guest rooms, breakfast provided to guests), then a county B&B license and compliance with county sanitation and fire standards are required.
• State Overlay: If the operation meets the Illinois definition of a Bed & Breakfast, state standards apply (e.g., health and fire standards). Non-B&B STRs remain subject to local housing, building, fire, and zoning requirements.

2) How to Start a STR Business in Murphysboro

• Confirm Zoning and Property Use
  • Ensure the property’s zoning allows transient accommodation use (or is a legally non-conforming use). The Housing Code states it does not waive zoning requirements; compliance with the Zoning Code is required.
• Property Readiness and Safety
  • Comply with all Housing Code standards for structural integrity, sanitation, lead paint prohibition, egress, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers (if applicable), electrical, plumbing, heating, water heating, ventilation, natural light, and bedroom/bathroom/kitchen requirements.
  • For multi-family properties, ensure shared/public areas and building systems meet minimum standards.
• Obtain Required Permits
  • City Occupancy Permit (standard or annual) from the City’s Code Enforcement Officer (Administrator).
  • If the operation qualifies as a B&B under county definition, obtain the county B&B license from the Jackson County Health Department (JCHD).
  • Obtain any required Building, Plumbing, or Electrical permits if repairs, renovations, or new installations are needed.
• Register for Taxes
  • Register with the Illinois Department of Revenue for hotel tax and remittance if applicable.
  • Register with Jackson County for county hotel/motel room tax.
• Insurance
  • Maintain adequate liability insurance. County B&B licensure requires minimum liability coverage of $100,000 per individual and $300,000 per occurrence, with Jackson County listed as certificate holder.
• Prepare for Inspections
  • City inspections confirm compliance with the Housing Code.
  • County B&B inspections confirm compliance with county ordinance and state standards.

3) Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Murphysboro – Housing Code

• Occupancy Permit (Standard)
  • Required to occupy any dwelling unit unless occupancy began before the effective date of the Code.
  • The Administrator issues only after inspection shows the dwelling and proposed occupancy meet the Code.
  • Temporary Occupancy Permits (up to 90 days, once renewable) may be issued for non-compliant dwellings during repairs, only if occupancy does not pose serious hazard.
• Annual Permit
  • Upon landlord/agent request, the Administrator may issue an Annual Permit to protect and facilitate showing vacant properties. Occupancy under an Annual Permit is prohibited.
  • Application fee: $15.
  • Application includes name, address, and phone number of the applicant.
  • Permits expire June 30 each year.
  • Reinspection of rental properties may occur before reissuance.
• Appeals
  • Appeals to Corporate Authorities within 10 days; $25 filing fee.
  • Corporate Authorities hold a public hearing and render a decision.

City of Murphysboro – Required Safety and Facilities

• Smoke Alarms: Properly installed and functioning smoke alarm system of the type approved by the Municipal Fire Chief in compliance with the National Electrical Code.
• Fire Extinguishers (Mobile Homes): Every mobile home must have two working fire extinguishers, one in each end of the home.
• Egress: At least two unobstructed means of egress leading to a public street or alley for each dwelling unit; dual egress not required for fireproof construction.
• Lead Paint: Presence or application of lead-bearing paint is prohibited on any exposed surface of a dwelling or fixtures accessible to children.
• Structural and Maintenance: Foundations, walls, roofs, chimneys, interior surfaces, stairways/porches, windows/doors, weatherstripping/caulking, screens, sanitation, extermination, trash containers, accessory structures, yards, boarding-up.
• Room and Occupancy:
  • Bedrooms: minimum floor area; dimensions; bathroom access; closet space.
  • Kitchens: sink, stove, refrigerator; plumbing and safe installation.
  • Bathrooms: flush toilet, tub/shower, lavatory; hot/cold running water under pressure.
  • Ceiling Height: minimums for habitable rooms and attic spaces.
  • Natural Light and Ventilation: minimums for window/ventilation area; ventilation methods.
• Basic Facilities:
  • Electrical: minimum 100-amp service; required lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, stairways, laundry/furnace rooms; outlet requirements.
  • Electrical Hazards: prohibited conditions such as insufficient amperage, improper wiring, grounding, loose/frayed/bare wires, excessive extension cord use.
  • Heating: must safely heat habitable rooms/bathrooms to at least 68°F when outdoor temperature is 0°F; provider must maintain temperatures between Oct 1–May 15: 68°F (6:00 AM–11:00 PM), 60°F (other hours); if outdoor <0°F and plant at full capacity, maintain 60°F.
  • Water Heating: hot water at not less than 120°F at every required kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tub/shower.
  • Plumbing: compliance with Building and Plumbing Code; free from obstructions, leaks, defects.
• Enforcement Tools:
  • Corrective Action Orders; permit revocation; utility shutoff directives for hazardous conditions; placard for dwellings unfit for human habitation; penalties ($50–$500 per day, plus costs).

County (Jackson County) – Bed & Breakfast License

• Applicability: If the STR is an operator-occupied residence providing accommodations for no more than five guest rooms and breakfast is provided to guests.
• License Required: Advertise, maintain, or operate any B&B within Jackson County (outside municipalities with their own B&B ordinance) only with a county license from JCHD.
• Application Requirements:
  • License application at least one month before opening; forms provided by JCHD.
  • Information includes licensee/operator/property owner details; property address and legal description; site drawing; existing and proposed floorplans; if within 1.5 miles of Carbondale, permit/letter from Carbondale zoning; any other information to determine compliance.
• Inspection and Compliance:
  • JCHD inspects the premises to confirm compliance with local fire regulations, State Fire Marshal requirements for one- and two-family dwellings, and the Illinois Bed & Breakfast Act; handicapped-accessibility standards; health and sanitation standards; and truthfulness of application (false information results in denial).
• Issuance and Renewals:
  • License issued only after all applicable health and fire standards are met and documentation submitted.
  • Display the license in a location easily viewed by guests.
  • License valid through December 31 of the year issued; reinspection required before renewal.
  • License is personal and non-transferable; upon death/bankruptcy, executor/administrator may continue operation for three months with court order and qualification.
  • Minimum liability insurance: $100,000 each individual; $300,000 each occurrence; certificate must list Jackson County; failure to maintain results in automatic revocation.
  • Registration and tax: IL Department of Revenue hotel tax registration and proof of state/local tax payments; Jackson County tax registration including sales and hotel/motel room tax.
• Suspension/Revocation and Hearings:
  • Temporary suspension for failure to comply; permanent revocation for serious/repeated violations.
  • Notice and hearing procedures defined; formal record kept; appeal under the Administrative Review provisions of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure; costs borne by the licensee.
• Fees:
  • Annual license fee: $50; licenses issued after June 30 reduced by one-half.

County – Minimum Standards for B&B

• Food Sanitation:
  • Safe, wholesome, unadulterated food; pasteurized Grade A milk only; home-canned foods prohibited except jams/jellies.
  • Protection from contamination; safe temperatures: ≤45°F or ≥140°F; frozen foods kept frozen; appropriate thawing methods; thermometers in each refrigerator; certain meats cooked to 165°F; prohibit reusing single-serve portions; laundry separate from food prep; live animals excluded.
  • Health restrictions: No person with a communicable disease that may be transmitted by food handling may work; immediate notification to the Health Department if suspected.
  • Operator certification: successful completion of IL Department of Public Health food service sanitation examination.
  • Hygiene and sanitation: clean outer garments; thorough handwashing; no tobacco; utensil cleaning and sanitizing; approved sanitizing solutions; single-service utensils prohibited.
• Linen and Towels: individual soap and clean bath towels; clean bed linens in good repair changed between guests and as necessary; sanitary storage and handling.
• Water Supply: potable water adequate for needs; sampling/analysis prior to opening and annually; Health Department reviews analysis.
• Fire Safety:
  • Manual extinguishing equipment on each floor per NFPA 10.
  • Combustibles/flammables in approved metal containers; no combustible storage in/under stairways; metal trash containers with tight lids.
  • No cooking facilities in guest rooms; hallways/stairways adequately lit; no portable heating devices in guest rooms.
  • Floor plan submitted to local Fire Department.
  • Smoke detectors in each guest room.
• Sewage and Plumbing:
  • Public sewage or private disposal compliant with Jackson County Sewage Disposal System Ordinance; no cross-connections; compliance with IL State Plumbing Code.

4) Specific Regulations (City/County/State) for STRs in Murphysboro

City of Murphysboro (Housing Code) – Direct STR Implications

• Permits: Occupancy Permit required prior to occupancy; Temporary Occupancy Permit available if not a serious hazard; Annual Permit available for showings only.
• Inspections: Code Enforcement Officer (Administrator) may inspect dwellings and premises; refusal allows correction orders and enforcement.
• Habitability Standards: Structural integrity; sanitation; extermination; trash container specifications; lead paint prohibition; bedroom, kitchen, bathroom standards; egress; electrical, plumbing, heating, water heating; natural light; ventilation.
• Safety: Smoke alarms required; fire extinguishers required in mobile homes.
• Enforcement: Corrective Action Orders; permit revocation; utility shutoff; placard “unfit for human habitation”; penalties $50–$500 per day; appeals allowed within 10 days.

County (Jackson County) – B&B Overlay

• Bed & Breakfast Definition: Operator-occupied residence with no more than five guest rooms for rent; breakfast provided; not a motel, hotel, boarding house, or foodservice establishment.
• License: Required for B&B operation; application, inspection, minimum insurance, tax registration, display, renewal, non-transferability.
• Standards: Food sanitation, linens, water, fire safety (NFPA 10, no cooking in guest rooms, detectors in each room), sewage and plumbing.
• Alcohol: No alcoholic liquor may be served to guests.
• State Law: Illinois Bed and Breakfast Act incorporated; in event of conflict, state law governs.

State (Illinois)

• Bed & Breakfast Act: Incorporated by Jackson County ordinance; imposes state-level requirements (e.g., health and fire safety) for B&Bs.
• Hotel/Motel Room Tax: IL Department of Revenue registration and remittance required for applicable operators.
• Lead Paint: State standards referenced by the City’s Housing Code; prohibition on lead-bearing paint.

5) Contact Information (Murphysboro/County/State)

City of Murphysboro – Housing Code Administration

• Code Enforcement Officer (Administrator), Housing Code Administration
  • Phone: Not provided in the sources. Contact City Hall or the City’s Building/Code Enforcement department for current numbers.
  • Email: Not provided in the sources. Use the City’s official website contact form or general email if listed.
  • Website: murphysboro.com
  • Mailing Address: Not provided in the sources; City Hall address is typically available on the City website.

Jackson County – Bed & Breakfast Licensing

• Jackson County Health Department (JCHD)
  • Phone: Not provided in the sources. Contact JCHD’s main office.
  • Email: Not provided in the sources.
  • Website: www.jacksoncounty-il.gov

Illinois State-Level

• Illinois Department of Revenue (Hotel Tax Registration)
  • Phone: Use IDOR’s general lines listed on state websites.
  • Website: tax.illinois.gov
• Illinois Department of Public Health (Food Service Sanitation)
  • Phone/Website: See IDPH official channels.
• Illinois State Fire Marshal (Fire Safety Standards)
  • Phone/Website: See OSFM official channels.

Note: Phone numbers and direct email contacts are not present in the provided sources. Investors should verify current contacts via official websites or City/County directories.

6) Source Documents

• City of Murphysboro – Housing Code (Chapter 18):
  • murphysboro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CHAPTER_18_HOUSING_CODE.pdf
• Jackson County – Bed and Breakfast Ordinance:
  • www.jacksoncounty-il.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=128

Compliance Checklist (Concise)

• Confirm zoning allows transient accommodations.
• Secure City Occupancy Permit and any necessary Building/Plumbing/Electrical permits.
• If operating as a B&B, obtain Jackson County B&B license; meet county and state standards.
• Install/maintain smoke alarms, required egress, and fire extinguishers (if applicable).
• Comply with sanitation, lead paint prohibition, trash container, kitchen/bathroom, electrical, heating, water heating, ventilation, and natural light standards.
• Register for Illinois hotel tax and Jackson County hotel/motel room tax.
• Maintain required liability insurance (county B&B