Host Presence Rule: Chicago vs Houston
How do host presence rule rules compare between Chicago, IL and Houston, TX?
Houston has fewer restrictions than Chicago.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago does not require the host to remain onsite during a Shared Housing rental, but the dwelling must be the host's primary residence registered under MCC 4-14, and only one such unit per host is permitted citywide.
View full Chicago rules →Houston, TX
Harris County
Houston's short-term rental framework, advanced by City Council in 2024 and limited in scope, does not require a host to remain on-site during a guest stay. Operators register and collect hotel occupancy tax, but no Chicago-style hosted-only rule applies; deed restrictions may still bar STRs.
View full Houston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Host onsite required | No, presence not mandated | - |
| Primary residence rule | Yes, registered residence only | - |
| Units per host | One Shared Housing unit | - |
| Code chapters | MCC 4-13 and 4-14 | - |
| Regulator | BACP Department | - |
| Hosted-only rule | - | Not required citywide |
| Framework | - | Registration + HOT remittance |
| Adopted | - | 2024 Houston STR ordinance |
| Deed restrictions | - | Often bar STRs in subdivisions |
| Severity | - | Permissive at city level |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Can I travel and rent my whole Chicago condo on Airbnb?
Yes if the unit is your registered Shared Housing primary residence, you stay within nightly caps, and the building is not on the city Prohibited Buildings List.
Do I need a roommate in the unit during a stay?
No. Chicago Shared Housing rules do not require any occupant to be onsite during a guest stay, only that the unit remain your registered primary residence.
Houston FAQ
Must a Houston STR host stay on-site during the booking?
No. The 2024 Houston STR ordinance does not impose a hosted-only requirement. Whole-home unhosted rentals remain lawful citywide if the operator registers and remits hotel occupancy tax.
Can my deed restrictions still ban STRs?
Yes. Many Houston subdivisions prohibit transient or hotel-style rentals through recorded deed restrictions. The City and homeowner associations may sue under Local Government Code Chapter 212 to enforce them.
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