How Des Plaines Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Des Plaines maintains 135 local ordinances across all categories, and 8 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Des Plaines falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental operators in Des Plaines must comply with the City's quiet hours of 10 PM to 7 AM under Title 6, Chapter 6. STR-specific noise complaints can trigger registration suspension or revocation under the Vacation Rental ordinance. Operators must provide a 24/7 local contact who responds to complaints within one hour.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM–7 AM. Local Contact Response: 1 hour (24/7). Revocation Threshold: 2+ violations / 12 months. Fine Range: $250–$750. Contact: (847) 391-5400 Des Plaines PD.

Per-violation fines run $250 to $750 for STR noise infractions. Two or more verified violations in 12 months can trigger registration revocation, after which renting the unit short-term is prohibited and additional unlicensed-operation fines of up to $750 per day apply.

Compared to other cities, Des Plaines takes a harder line on noise rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Night Caps

Des Plaines does not impose a hard annual cap on short-term rental nights for fully registered properties, but unhosted whole-home rentals in single-family residential zones face additional scrutiny. Stays under 30 days qualify as short-term and are subject to the full vacation rental ordinance and Cook County hotel tax.

Key details: Annual Night Cap: None for registered STRs. STR Threshold: Stays under 30 days. Long-Term Lease: 30+ days = not STR. Zoning Limits: R-1 may need special use. Fine Range: $500–$750/day.

Renting under 30 days without registration carries fines of $500 to $750 per day. Operating in a zone where STR is prohibited is a separate zoning violation with similar penalties and a cease-rental order.

Registration Rules

Every short-term rental in Des Plaines must register annually with the City's Community & Economic Development Department before listing. The registration requires a designated 24/7 local contact, proof of $1M liability insurance, a fire/life-safety inspection, and a one-time and annual fee. Listings must display the registration number.

Key details: Annual Registration: Required before listing. Insurance: $1M liability. Local Contact: Within 30 miles, 24/7. Inspection: Fire/life-safety required. Fine for Unregistered: $500–$750/day.

Operating an unregistered STR is a code violation with fines of $500 to $750 per day. Listings without a posted registration number can be reported to the platform and to the City. Failed inspections must be cured within 30 days; continued operation during the cure period may trigger immediate cessation orders.

Compared to other cities, Des Plaines takes a harder line on registration rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Parking Rules

Des Plaines vacation rental operators must provide off-street parking sufficient for permitted occupancy and disclose available parking in their listing. On-street overnight parking is restricted citywide between 2 AM and 6 AM under Title 7 of the City Code, so guests parking overnight on the street face ticketing.

Key details: Off-Street Required: 1 space per bedroom (typical). Overnight Ban: 2 AM–6 AM citywide. Parking Ticket: $25–$75. Snow Route Fine: $75–$200 + tow. Contact: (847) 391-5400 Des Plaines PD.

Overnight on-street parking tickets are typically $25 to $75. Snow-route violations can be $75 to $200 plus towing costs. Repeat parking-related complaints against an STR can contribute to license suspension and additional fines of $250 to $750.

Insurance Requirements

Des Plaines requires vacation rental operators to maintain general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence covering use of the property as a short-term rental. Proof of coverage must be filed with the registration application and kept current.

Key details: Minimum Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence. Type: Commercial GL endorsed for STR. Filing: Certificate at registration & renewal. Platform Coverage: May qualify if documented. Lapse Penalty: $500–$750/day.

Operating without required insurance is treated as operating without a valid registration and carries fines of $500 to $750 per day of violation. The City may seek immediate cessation of rental activity and may pursue cost recovery for any incident-related response.

Occupancy Limits

A licensed Des Plaines rental zoned as a single-family dwelling may not operate as a hotel, motel, boarding house, rooming house, or transient lodging, may not be converted to multi-family use, and the entire unit (not individual rooms) must be rented.

Key details: Code Section: Des Plaines Rental License Affidavit (Aug. 2023 CED Memo, Att. 1). Whole-Unit Rule: Entire unit must be rented; no room rentals. Prohibited Uses: Hotel, motel, boarding/rooming house, transient lodging. Conversion: No conversion to multi-family dwelling. Numeric Guest Cap: None specific to STRs.

Using a single-family rental as transient lodging, renting individual rooms, or converting the unit to multi-family use violates the sworn affidavit and the rental code and may result in additional legal action and immediate suspension or revocation of the rental property license, plus Administrative Hearing fines.

Taxes & Fees

No city-specific STR tax in Des Plaines. Illinois hotel operators' occupation tax (35 ILCS 145) may apply to short-term rentals under 30 days. Platforms may collect and remit.

Key details: State Hotel Tax: 35 ILCS 145 — may apply. Platform Collection: Airbnb/Vrbo may remit some taxes. City STR Tax: None specific — general state rules apply. Contact: Des Plaines Finance: 847-391-5335.

Operating without a valid rental license subjects owners to fines up to $750 per offense. Failure to remit state taxes may result in penalties from the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Permit Requirements

Des Plaines has no separate short-term rental permit; any dwelling rented for any period must hold a Residential Rental Property License under City Code Chapter 4-17, and the owner must complete the Crime Free Multi-Housing class before a license is issued.

Key details: Code Section: Des Plaines City Code Ch. 4-17 (Sec. 4-17-1, 4-17-3). STR-Specific Permit: None - covered by standard rental license. Minimum Rental Period: No minimum ('part of the year or all year'). Pre-License Requirement: Crime Free Multi-Housing Phase 1 class. License Term: Expires Dec. 31; renewed annually; non-transferable.

Operating a rental without the required Residential Rental Property License, or renting rooms/portions of a residence in violation of the signed affidavit, exposes the owner to an Administrative Hearing and fines, and may result in immediate suspension or revocation of the rental property license. Falsifying information on the affidavit subjects the representative to an Administrative Hearing and possible fines.

The Bottom Line

Des Plaines is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Des Plaines, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Des Plaines can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.