Registration Rules: Arlington Heights vs Chicago

Do I need to register my short-term rental with Arlington Heights?

Yes. Short-term rental operations require business registration and hotel/motel tax registration with the village. You must also confirm that your property's zoning allows short-term rental use.

How does Arlington Heights find unregistered Airbnbs?

The village can identify unregistered rentals through platform monitoring, neighbor complaints, and hotel tax audits. Operating without registration risks citations for both unlicensed business activity and zoning violations.

What do I need to register a short-term rental in Arlington Heights?

You need to obtain a business license, register for hotel/motel tax remittance with the Finance Department, and confirm zoning compliance with Community Development at (847) 368-5200.

How do I register an Airbnb in Chicago?

Apply through BACP's Shared Housing Registration portal (webapps4.chicago.gov/chicagohouseshare). The unit must be your primary residence (lived in at least 245 days/year), pass a zoning review, and not appear on the City's prohibited buildings list or sit in a restricted residential zone. The annual fee is $125 per unit, and you must obtain your registration number before advertising on Airbnb or Vrbo.

Can I rent more than one Airbnb in the same Chicago building?

Generally no. In a building with 2 to 5 units, only one unit can be registered because each host is limited to one primary residence. In buildings with 5 or more units, the City caps short-term rentals at one-quarter of the units or six units, whichever is fewer, regardless of how many hosts apply.