Litchfield Opens Door to Short-Term Rentals in Multifamily Zones, Permits Former Sihler School

Litchfield City Council Meeting | July 16, 2026

Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council amended its municipal code to allow short-term rentals as a special use in the Multifamily Zoning District, then granted the first such permit to Fenton Brothers Construction, LLC for the former Sihler School at 601 S. State Street.

Short-Term Rentals Key Points:

• A text amendment to “Appendix B” of the municipal code permits short-term rentals as a special use in the M-F Multifamily Zoning District, where they were previously disallowed.
• Anyone seeking a short-term rental in the district must apply for a Special Use Permit.
• Fenton Brothers Construction, LLC received the first permit, for the former Sihler School at 601 S. State Street, PIN #15-04-176-017.
• The council also adopted a companion resolution making findings of fact; the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of all three items.

LITCHFIELD — The Litchfield City Council on Thursday, July 16, 2026, approved a trio of items allowing short-term rentals in the city’s Multifamily Zoning District and authorizing the first one — at the former Sihler School building at 601 S. State Street.

Short-term rentals were previously disallowed in the multifamily district, according to the agenda packet. Fenton Brothers Construction, LLC applied to amend the code to allow them as a special use, meaning each future short-term rental in the district will require its own Special Use Permit. Alderperson Sara Zumwalt moved the text amendment, seconded by Alderperson Robbin Huffman.

Mayor Jacob Fleming initially asked whether the item concerned the old school building; the city administrator clarified the first ordinance was a citywide text amendment to the code’s “Appendix B,” not a site-specific approval. It passed unanimously.

The council then approved a resolution making separate findings of fact in connection with the special use permit, and an ordinance granting Fenton Brothers Construction a Special Use Permit for a short-term rental at 601 S. State Street, PIN #15-04-176-017 — the former Sihler School, per the packet. The findings state the special use will adequately protect public health, safety and welfare, is consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan, and would not adversely affect utilities or traffic. The Planning and Zoning Board, which met July 6, recommended approval of all three items. (A passage in the adopted findings-of-fact resolution contradicts that recommendation — see Editorial Flags before publication.)

Council members welcomed the reuse. “I just love seeing that building brought back,” one said, and Fleming noted the owners still allow the city’s parades to stage from the property. “Wonderful. Glad to hear that,” he said.

The council separately approved a development agreement the same evening for 213 S. Jefferson St. that expressly prohibits short-term rentals on that property.