Short-Term Rentals in Des Plaines, IL

Des Plaines maintains 37 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 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.

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.

Short-Term Rental Permits

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's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Des Plaines is broadly strict or permissive.

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, which shows when its source was last checked.