Short-Term Rentals in Tinley Park, IL

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Tinley Park, Illinois, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Occupancy Limits

Tinley Park caps every short-term/vacation rental sleeping room at two adults per night, bars renting more than once in any 24-hour period, and requires an accessible bedroom compliant with the Illinois Accessibility Code.

Key details: Occupancy cap: 2 adults per sleeping room, per night. Rental frequency limit: Once per 24-hour period. Accessible bedroom: Required, per IL Accessibility Code § 400.320(g)(5),(9). Guest register: Required, accessible to Village Manager/Police.

Exceeding the two-adults-per-sleeping-room limit, renting the unit more than once in a 24-hour period, or failing to provide the required accessible bedroom or guest register are each violations of § 129J.04, enforced under § 129J.99's fine schedule of $200 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $750 for a third or subsequent violation, plus possible license suspension or revocation under § 129J.05.

Insurance Requirements

Tinley Park requires every short-term/vacation rental owner to carry general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate at all times the property is rented, with proof due to the village on request.

Key details: Per-occurrence coverage: $1,000,000 minimum. Aggregate coverage: $2,000,000 minimum. Proof required: Upon village request. Coverage period: Whenever property is rented out.

Operating a short-term/vacation rental without the required $1,000,000/$2,000,000 general liability policy, or failing to produce proof of coverage when the village requests it, violates § 129J.04(A)(10) and is punishable under § 129J.99: $200 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $750 for a third or subsequent violation, in addition to possible license suspension under § 129J.05.

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

A Tinley Park short-term/vacation rental must be the owner's primary residence: the owner must show they lived there nine of the past 12 months, or plan to live there nine of the next 12 months, with documentary proof required.

Key details: Residency threshold: 9 of 12 months. Proof accepted: Utility bill, voter reg., vehicle reg., deed, ID. Use requirement: Accessory to a residential unit. Reviewing body: Community Development Department.

Failing to demonstrate primary residency under § 129J.03(C), or operating a short-term rental at a property that is not the owner's primary residence, is grounds for the Village Manager to deny, condition, or revoke the license, and is otherwise punishable under § 129J.99 with fines of $200 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $750 for a third or subsequent offense.

Compared to other cities, Tinley Park takes a harder line on primary-residence-only rule. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Short-Term Rental Permits

It is unlawful in Tinley Park to operate, offer for rent, or even advertise a short-term/vacation rental without a current license issued under Chapter 129J. Licenses run for one year and require Community Development Department review before approval.

Key details: License required: Yes, before operating or advertising. License term: One year, renewable. Reviewing department: Community Development Department. First violation fine: $200. Third+ violation fine: $750.

Operating, offering, or advertising a short-term/vacation rental without a current license violates § 129J.02. Under § 129J.99, a first violation of Chapter 129J draws a $200 fine, a second violation draws $500, and a third or subsequent violation draws $750. The Village Manager can also revoke or suspend a license for violating chapter terms or maintaining a nuisance premises.

Compared to other cities, Tinley Park takes a harder line on short-term rental permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Tinley Park escalates fines for repeat short-term/vacation rental violations under Village Code § 129J.99: $200 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $750 for a third or subsequent violation, with each day of noncontinuing violation a separate offense.

Key details: Governing chapter: Village Code Ch. 129J. First-offense fine: $200. Second-offense fine: $500. Third-plus offense fine: $750. Continuing violations: each day is separate offense.

First violation: $200 fine. Second violation: $500 fine. Third or subsequent violation: $750 fine, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately. Unpaid fines become a debt collectible by the village, including by lien against the rental property. A licensee's violation record can also trigger license suspension or revocation, and a revoked licensee cannot reapply for one year.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Tinley Park actively enforces its repeat violator strikes requirements.

Taxes & Fees

Tinley Park charges a $50.00 annual license fee for a short-term/vacation rental, on top of any other Village fees that apply to the property, and renewal depends on a clean citation record from the prior year.

Key details: Annual license fee: $50.00. Renewal authority: Village Clerk or designee. Renewal condition: No citations in prior calendar year. Fee status: Additional to other Village fees.

Operating a short-term/vacation rental with a lapsed license because the $50.00 renewal fee or application was not filed is a violation of § 129J.02's license requirement. Fines under § 129J.99 run $200 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $750 for a third or subsequent violation, and a license can also be denied or not renewed if the prior year drew citations.

The Bottom Line

Tinley Park is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Tinley Park, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Tinley Park's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.