Repeat Violator Strikes: Chicago vs Houston
How do repeat violator strikes rules compare between Chicago, IL and Houston, TX?
Houston has fewer restrictions than Chicago.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago Shared Housing rules under MCC 4-14 escalate penalties on repeat violators, suspending or revoking registrations after multiple confirmed violations within a 12-month window and allowing buildings or wards to be added to the Prohibited Buildings List.
View full Chicago rules →Houston, TX
Harris County
Houston has no formal STR three-strikes registration revocation matrix. Repeat nuisance complaints at a short-term rental are addressed through Chapter 28 building and nuisance enforcement, civil-suit deed-restriction actions, and police habitual-nuisance abatement under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 125.
View full Houston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Code sections | MCC 4-14-090, 4-14-100 | - |
| Fine range | $1,500 to $3,000 per day | - |
| Suspension trigger | Two or more violations annually | - |
| Revocation trigger | Repeat or serious violations | - |
| Building remedy | Prohibited Buildings List petition | - |
| Three-strikes matrix | - | Not codified in Houston |
| Primary tool | - | Chapter 28 nuisance enforcement |
| Common-nuisance suit | - | TX CPRC Chapter 125 |
| Deed-restriction route | - | TX LGC Chapter 212 |
| Severity | - | Moderate; case-by-case |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
How long does a strike stay on my Shared Housing record?
BACP counts violations within a rolling 12-month window for suspension purposes, but revocation findings and renewal bans can persist for several years on the public host record.
Can my building force my Airbnb listing off the platform?
Yes. A condo association or owner can petition to join the Prohibited Buildings List. Once added, all units in that building lose Shared Housing eligibility regardless of host history.
Houston FAQ
Does Houston revoke STR registrations after three violations?
Not automatically. The 2024 ordinance allows administrative action but lacks a numbered strike matrix. Repeat violators face escalating Chapter 28 enforcement and civil suits rather than mechanical permit revocation.
Can the City shut down a Houston party-house STR?
Yes. Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Chapter 125 lets the City Attorney pursue a common-nuisance injunction closing a habitually disorderly property for up to one year following proper notice and hearing.
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