Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Chicago vs Skokie
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL?
Skokie has fewer restrictions than Chicago.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago's Vacation Rental and Shared Housing Ordinance MCC 4-14 limits most short-term rental hosts to their primary residence. Non-primary listings require Vacation Rental licensing with stricter zoning, and many wards prohibit non-owner-occupied operations through restricted-zone votes.
View full Chicago rules →Skokie, IL
Cook County
Unlike Chicago's Shared Housing framework, Cook County Ordinance 19-5236 does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Any registered, tax-compliant unit in unincorporated Cook may operate as an STR regardless of whether it is owner-occupied.
View full Skokie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Code | MCC 4-14 Shared Housing | - |
| Primary-residence rule | Required for Shared Housing | - |
| Vacation rental | Separate license, restricted zones | - |
| Hotel tax | 4.5 percent city share | - |
| Restriction trigger | Precinct vote allowed | - |
| Authority | - | Cook Ord. 19-5236 |
| Primary residence | - | Not required |
| Night cap | - | None |
| Investor units | - | Allowed if registered |
| Contrast | - | Chicago caps Shared Housing |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Can I list my second home on Airbnb in Chicago?
Only if it sits outside a Restricted Residential Zone and you obtain a Vacation Rental License. Otherwise short-term rental of a non-primary residence is prohibited under MCC 4-14 and platforms must remove unlicensed listings.
How do I prove primary residence?
Show two of: driver's license matching the address, voter registration, recent utility bills, mortgage or homestead exemption documents. The Department of Business Affairs verifies during license review and renewals.
Skokie FAQ
Can an LLC operate STRs in unincorporated Cook County?
Yes. Cook County's ordinance allows LLCs and corporate owners to operate short-term rentals as long as each unit is registered with the Department of Revenue, a local responsible party is named, and the Hotel Accommodations Tax is remitted.
Do Cook County suburbs follow this same rule?
No. Many Cook suburbs such as Evanston and Oak Park adopted their own STR ordinances that may require primary-residence status, cap nights, or limit units. Ord. 19-5236 only governs unincorporated Cook.
Compare other topics
See how Chicago and Skokie compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool