Naperville, Illinois Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Naperville

Short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited in Naperville, Illinois. The Naperville City Council passed Ordinance No. 20-087 on August 18, 2020, which banned short-term rentals throughout the city. Effective September 1, 2020, it became unlawful to operate, use, offer for rent, or advertise any property within Naperville's corporate limits as a short-term residential rental. This is one of the strictest regulatory approaches in Illinois regarding short-term rentals.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Naperville?

Naperville hosts earn a median $36,860/year with $197 ADR and 78% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $52,092+ per year.

See the full Naperville market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

It is not possible to legally start a short-term rental business in Naperville. The city's outright ban means no new short-term rental operations are permitted, regardless of property type, location, or operational model.

For investors considering alternative strategies:

Medium-term rentals (30+ days) are permitted but subject to standard rental regulations and any applicable HOA restrictions
Long-term traditional rentals (12+ months) are fully permitted and represent the primary rental investment option in Naperville
Properties must comply with all standard residential rental requirements, building codes, and zoning ordinances

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

For traditional long-term rentals (which are the only legal rental option in Naperville):

Required Documents

Standard residential lease agreement compliant with Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act
Lead paint disclosure (pre-1978 properties)
Radon disclosure
Move-in/move-out checklist
Security deposit documentation
Property condition documentation (photos/videos)

Permits and Licenses

No general rental license required in Naperville for residential properties
Standard business registration if operating as LLC or corporation
Any required building permits for renovations or repairs

Guidelines and Standards

Property must comply with Naperville Property Maintenance Code
Standard habitability requirements apply
Fair Housing laws must be observed
HOA rules and regulations (if applicable) must be followed

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State Level

City of Naperville Regulations

Complete ban on short-term rentals (less than 30 consecutive days)
Pre-existing exception: Limited exception for rentals with agreements signed before August 19, 2020, for rental dates through October 19, 2020 (no longer applicable)
No rental license requirement for traditional residential rentals
Property maintenance code enforcement
Standard occupancy limitations based on habitable square footage
Heat requirements: 68°F October 1 to May 1
Trash collection regulations
Grass/weeds height limitations (5" right-of-way, 8" private property)
Sidewalk clearance requirements
Parking restrictions
Animal control regulations

County-Level Regulations (DuPage and Will Counties)

Naperville spans two counties, creating jurisdictional considerations:

DuPage County:

Standard Illinois landlord-tenant law applies
No additional RTLO (Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance) like Cook County
Evictions handled through 18th Judicial Circuit Court (Wheaton)

Will County:

Standard Illinois landlord-tenant law applies
No separate RTLO
Evictions handled through 12th Judicial Circuit Court (Joliet)

State of Illinois Regulations

Illinois Landlord and Tenant Act governs rental relationships
Security Deposit Return Act requirements (interest required for 25+ units at single location)
Fair Housing law compliance
Lead paint disclosure requirements (pre-1978)
Radon disclosure requirements
Standard tax obligations (income, property taxes)

Contact Information

Naperville City Contacts

Short-Term Rental Ordinance Questions:

Allison Laff
Email: laffa@naperville.il.us

Code Enforcement:

Phone: (630) 420-6693
Email: CodeEnforcement@naperville.il.us

Building Permits:

TED Business Group
Address: 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: (630) 420-6100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Human Rights & Fair Housing Commission:

Phone: (630) 420-6190 (discrimination concerns)
Main line: (630) 420-5315

Finance Department (Utility Questions):

Phone: (630) 420-6059
Address: 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 60540
In-person hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Call Center: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Other Important City Numbers:

Noise and Nuisance Concerns: (630) 420-6666
Property Maintenance: (630) 420-6100
All Other Inquiries: (630) 420-6111

County Contacts

DuPage County Circuit Court (for DuPage properties):

Address: 505 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187
Website: dupagejudges.org

Will County Circuit Court (for Will properties):

Address: 14 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60432
Website: willcountycircuitcourt.com

Source Pages

Naperville City Official Website - Tenants and Landlords
- URL: www.naperville.il.us/residents/tenants-and-landlords/
- Contains official city ordinance information and contact details
Ordinance No. 20-087 (Short-Term Rentals Ban)
- URL: www.naperville.il.us/globalassets/media/projects/ted-business-group/short-term-rentals/ordinance-20-087.pdf
- Official city ordinance banning short-term rentals
Naperville Municipal Code
- URL: www.municode.com/library/il/naperville/codes/code_of_ordinances
- Complete city ordinances and regulations
GC Realty Blog - Naperville Rental Guide
- URL: www.gcrealtyinc.com/blog/what-you-must-know-about-renting-your-property-in-naperville-illinois
- Local property management perspective on Naperville rental market
SummerOS - Illinois Short-Term Rental Laws
- URL: www.gosummer.com/post/illinois-short-term-rental-law
- State-level STR regulations context
Checkmate Rentals - Illinois STR Laws Guide
- URL: www.checkmaterentals.com/blog/illinois-short-term-rental-laws
- Comprehensive Illinois rental law overview

Investment Considerations for Naperville

Given the complete ban on short-term rentals, potential investors should focus on:

Traditional Long-Term Rentals: The only legally viable rental strategy
Strong Market Fundamentals: High-quality tenant base, excellent schools, stable property values
HOA Considerations: Many rental properties are in managed communities with strict rental policies
Property Maintenance Compliance: Regular inspections and code enforcement
County-Specific Requirements: Understanding which county (DuPage/Will) governs your specific property

Naperville represents a challenging but potentially lucrative market for traditional rental investments, despite the prohibition on short-term rental operations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Naperville

Naperville, Illinois, located primarily in DuPage County with a small portion spilling over into Will County, is one of the largest cities in the state, home to roughly 149,000 residents. It is a prosperous and meticulously maintained western suburb of Chicago, situated approximately 35 miles west of the city's downtown Loop. With its tree-lined streets, top-rated public schools, and a picturesque downtown clustered around the DuPage River, Naperville has built a long-standing reputation as one of the most desirable places to live in the Midwest. The city draws visitors with its blend of small-town charm and metropolitan convenience, and it serves as a comfortable gateway to the broader western suburbs, the Morton Arboretum area, and the cultural and commercial offerings of the Chicago region.

A defining feature of the city is the Naperville Riverwalk, a 1.75-mile pedestrian path that winds along the DuPage River through the heart of downtown. Lined with brick paving, fountains, covered bridges, and public art, the Riverwalk is the social centerpiece of the community and is within walking distance of nearly every downtown hotel and short-term rental. It connects to the prominent Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower, a 12-story limestone tower housing one of the world's largest carillons, where free recitals are held throughout the warmer months.

Just east of downtown, Naper Settlement is an outdoor history museum spanning 13 acres that recreates life in 19th-century Illinois through more than 30 historic structures, costumed interpreters, and rotating exhibits. It offers a thoughtful counterpoint to the city's modern downtown and is a strong draw for families visiting the area. A short walk from the settlement, Centennial Beach is a historic swimming pool cut into an old limestone quarry, surrounded by sandy beach areas and a bathhouse built in the 1930s; it remains one of the most popular summer gathering spots in the western suburbs.

Beyond its own attractions, Naperville is well positioned for day trips into Chicago, which is reachable by car in roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic, or via the Metra commuter rail, whose Naperville station sits conveniently near downtown. The city's calm residential character, walkable core, and proximity to one of America's most visited metropolitan areas combine to make it a particularly appealing base for travelers seeking the amenities of a major city without the intensity of staying within it.