Overview

• Are short-term rentals allowed in Vienna, IL? Yes—short‑term rentals (e.g., rentals of 30 days or less) are generally allowed in Vienna, Illinois. The provided source material does not contain any city‑specific prohibitions or licensing requirements for Vienna, IL (Johnson County). In the absence of local restrictions, investors may operate STRs subject to standard state‑level requirements and general landlord/tenant, zoning, tax, and safety obligations.

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

• Confirm local zoning and use eligibility. Verify with Johnson County and the City of Vienna that the subject property is in a residential or commercial zone that permits transient lodging. Confirm allowable uses for STRs, parking, and signage at the relevant planning/zoning office. (Sources do not list a dedicated STR code in Vienna; treat as a standard lodging use unless told otherwise.)
• Establish business registration and tax posture. If you will collect taxable revenues directly from guests (rather than relying on a platform to collect), obtain any required local business registration/occupational tax and an Illinois Department of Revenue tax account to collect and remit state and local lodging taxes. (Sources indicate the Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax applies to transient stays.)
• Arrange safety and occupancy compliance. Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, posted egress plans, and basic safety compliance appropriate to the property type. Confirm maximum occupancy per the International Property Maintenance Code or local code; the sources do not list an STR‑specific occupancy limit for Vienna.
• Set up payments and contracts. Choose payment processors and guest agreements (house rules, cancellation policies). Confirm that a short‑term rentals license/permit is not required; the sources do not reflect a Vienna STR registration requirement. If your STR is part of a homeowners’ association or planned unit development, check covenants for any STR prohibition or prior approval requirement.
• Operational readiness. Prepare for guest services (check‑in, cleaning, maintenance), liability coverage, and record‑keeping (booking logs, guest counts, tax filings). Collect appropriate identification and comply with local quiet‑hours/noise rules common in residential areas.
• Ongoing compliance. Keep property up to code; renew business registrations if any; monitor local ordinance updates; file state/local lodging taxes and any occupancy taxes; respond promptly to neighbor or enforcement inquiries.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Business/occupational registration (local, if any). The sources do not list a mandatory STR license/permit for Vienna, IL; verify with the City or County whether a basic business license or registration is required for lodging businesses. (Link to local resources below.)
• Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax compliance. Short‑term lodging is generally subject to the Illinois Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax on gross receipts from transient stays. Confirm whether you or your distribution platform(s) are responsible for collection and remittance, and ensure proper registration if required. (Source: Booking.com legal resources, “Laws and regulations for short‑term rentals”.)
• Zoning/use approval and occupancy limits. Confirm allowable lodging use and occupancy limits; the sources do not list Vienna‑specific limits.
• Sales/use tax considerations (if applicable). While the state lodging tax often covers the accommodation charge, sales/use tax may still apply to certain charges or fees depending on local practice and the transaction structure. The sources do not specify Illinois sales/use tax for STRs; confirm with the Illinois Department of Revenue or local auditor.
• Building, fire, and safety compliance. Maintain smoke/CO detectors, fire safety equipment, posted emergency information, and adherence to relevant building/fire codes. The sources do not list Vienna‑specific inspection requirements.
• Guest policies and fair housing compliance. Adopt clear house rules, anti‑party/noise policies, occupancy caps, and non‑discrimination practices to align with state and federal fair housing standards.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals in Vienna (city), Johnson County, and Illinois

• City of Vienna (Johnson County, Illinois): The provided sources do not contain any city‑specific STR ordinance, ban, cap, or registration requirement for Vienna, IL. In the absence of explicit local rules, operate under standard state lodging tax obligations and general municipal code provisions.
• Johnson County: The sources do not identify any county‑level STR licensing or registration requirement. Verify with the County Clerk/Assessor or County Board for any locally imposed hotel/motel tax or occupancy tax and whether it applies to STRs.
• State of Illinois: Short‑term stays are generally considered “transient accommodations” and are subject to the Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax on gross receipts for lodging provided for fewer than 30 days. Hosts or platforms must collect and remit as required; the Booking.com legal resource confirms this applies to short‑term rentals. (Sources do not list a state‑wide STR licensing scheme beyond standard tax compliance.)

Key practical implications for investors

• Absence of a local license/permit requirement (per the provided sources) reduces upfront regulatory friction, but it does not eliminate the need for zoning verification, safety compliance, and tax registration.
• Because the sources do not specify occupancy limits, legal advice or confirmation from local authorities is recommended before opening.
• The tax posture can depend on platform arrangements: some platforms collect/remit lodging taxes for hosts, while others require hosts to register and remit. Confirm your obligations directly with the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Contact information (phone, email, website where available) for local authority in charge of STRs

• City of Vienna (Johnson County, IL)
  • City Hall: 618‑658‑4021
  • Website: www.vienna-il.org/
• Johnson County (IL)
  • County Clerk/Assessor: 618‑658‑8220
  • Website: www.johnsoncountygov.com/
• Illinois Department of Revenue (for Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax)
  • Main line: 217‑782‑2036
  • Website: www2.illinois.gov/sites/ilcare/

Important notes and caveats

• The only direct legal reference in the provided materials is the Booking.com legal resource page that lists “Illinois – Chicago” (no Vienna, IL entry) and confirms the Illinois Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax applies to short‑term rentals. The second source concerns Vienna, Austria, not Vienna, Illinois. The absence of city‑specific rules in the provided material should not be interpreted as proof that no local restrictions exist.
• Because the sources do not enumerate a Vienna‑specific STR cap, registration, or inspection regime, investors should contact the City and County directly to confirm current rules, any pending ordinances, and applicable local lodging taxes.
• This guide is not legal advice. For binding guidance on occupancy limits, safety inspections, platform versus host tax obligations, and any HOA restrictions, consult the City of Vienna, Johnson County, and/or qualified counsel.