Occupancy Limits: Chicago vs Des Plaines
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Chicago, IL and Des Plaines, IL?
Des Plaines has fewer restrictions than Chicago.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago's Shared Housing Ordinance (MCC 4-13 and 4-14) establishes occupancy limits for short-term rentals. The 2024 amendments added explicit maximum occupancy requirements for shared housing units and vacation rentals.
View full Chicago rules →Des Plaines, IL
Cook County
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.
View full Des Plaines rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Des Plaines |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | MCC 4-13, 4-14 | Des Plaines Rental License Affidavit (Aug. 2023 CED Memo, Att. 1) |
| Primary Residence | Required for shared housing units | - |
| Guest Register | Required for all STR hosts | - |
| Fine Range | $1,500 - $5,000 per offense | - |
| 2024 Amendments | Added explicit occupancy limits and monthly reporting | - |
| 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 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
How many guests can I host in a Chicago short-term rental?
Occupancy is generally limited to 2 persons per bedroom under the Shared Housing Ordinance. The 2024 amendments to MCC 4-13 added explicit maximum occupancy requirements that must be reported monthly.
Do I need to keep a guest register for my Airbnb in Chicago?
Yes. Chicago's Shared Housing Ordinance requires hosts to maintain a guest register with names and dates of stay. This must be available for inspection by authorized city officials.
Can any building in Chicago host short-term rentals?
No. Approximately 1,000 buildings were banned from hosting STRs under the 2016 ordinance. Additionally, condo associations and landlords can prohibit STRs. Tenants must have written landlord permission.
Des Plaines FAQ
How many guests can I host in a Des Plaines short-term rental?
Des Plaines does not set a short-term-rental-specific maximum guest count. However, the rental-license affidavit requires that the whole single-family unit be rented to a single party, prohibits renting individual rooms, and bars use as 'transient lodging,' a hotel, motel, boarding house, or rooming house. General property-maintenance and housing-code occupancy standards still apply.
Can I run my single-family home as a boarding house or rent rooms separately?
No. The signed rental affidavit states the property 'shall not include a hotel, motel, boarding house, rooming house, dormitory, nursing home, institution, or transient lodging,' and that the owner is 'not permitted to rent rooms or portions of the house.'
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