Registration Rules: Chicago vs Evanston

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.

Do I need a license to run an Airbnb in Evanston?

Yes. Title 5 Chapter 9 of the Evanston City Code requires every operator to hold an annual Short-Term Rental license issued by Community Development before any rental shorter than 30 days. The fee is $150 for a new application plus $250 annually per unit, and the property must pass a maintenance and life-safety inspection before the license is issued.

Does Airbnb itself need a license to list Evanston rentals?

Yes. Ordinance 2-O-26, adopted February 24, 2026, requires host platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to hold a Short-Term Residential Rental Intermediary (STRRI) license at $250 plus $60 per Evanston unit listed, and operators may only list on licensed platforms. Confirm current procedures with Program Administrator Nishat Saric at (847) 448-4311.