Night Caps: Chicago vs Skokie
How do night caps rules compare between Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL?
Chicago has fewer restrictions than Skokie.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago does not impose a numeric annual night cap on registered shared housing units, but it sets a two-night minimum stay (no single-night rentals) and defines a shared housing unit as transient occupancy under 32 consecutive days. Stays of 32 or more consecutive days are treated as permanent occupancy and fall outside the STR rules.
View full Chicago rules →Skokie, IL
Cook County
Skokie's 2026 pilot ordinance sets a minimum five-night stay for every booking and caps operators at 18 total bookings over the 18-month pilot period. Stays of fewer than five nights or exceeding the booking cap are prohibited.
View full Skokie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Night Cap | None set by ordinance | - |
| Minimum Stay | 2 nights | 5 consecutive nights |
| Transient Threshold | Under 32 consecutive days | - |
| Volume Control | Primary residence + per-building caps | - |
| Hotel Tax | 17.4% combined | - |
| Authority | MCC Ch 4-13 / BACP | - |
| Booking Cap | - | 18 bookings / 18-month pilot |
| Pilot Window | - | May 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2027 |
| Record-Keeping | - | Required, Village auditable |
| Max Fine | - | $1,500/offense |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
How many nights per year can I rent my Chicago Airbnb?
Chicago does not currently set a numeric annual night cap on a registered shared housing unit. Volume is instead controlled by the primary-residence rule (you must live there at least 245 days per year), the one-rental-per-building rule for 2-5 unit buildings, and the 25% or 6-unit cap in larger multifamily buildings. Single-night stays are not allowed; the minimum stay is two nights. Confirm current rules with BACP.
What is the minimum stay for an Airbnb in Chicago?
Two nights. Chicago does not allow single-night rentals at a shared housing unit; the minimum is two consecutive overnights. A stay of 32 or more consecutive days is treated as permanent occupancy and falls outside the Shared Housing Ordinance, so platforms typically cap STR stays just below that threshold.
Skokie FAQ
What is the minimum Airbnb stay in Skokie IL?
Five consecutive nights. Skokie's pilot ordinance prohibits stays of one to four nights at any licensed short-term rental.
How many bookings can a Skokie STR have per year?
Each operator is capped at 18 total bookings over the full 18-month pilot period (May 2026 through October 2027), which is roughly one booking per month on average.
What happens if I exceed Skokie's STR booking cap?
Exceeding the 18-booking cap or accepting stays shorter than five nights can result in fines up to $1,500 per offense and may lead to license revocation.
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