Registration Rules: Chicago vs Skokie

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.

How do I register a short-term rental in Skokie IL?

Apply for an operator license through the Skokie Village Clerk at (847) 933-8203. You must complete Village training, pass a building inspection, notify all properties within 250 feet, and pay the applicable registration fees.

Is the Skokie STR registration deadline still open?

Existing investor-owned STRs were required to register by April 1, 2026. New owner-occupied licenses remain available subject to the one-per-block density cap. Unregistered investor-owned STRs are no longer permitted.

What happens if my Skokie STR isn't registered?

Unregistered operation carries fines up to $1,500 per offense, cease-and-desist orders, and may disqualify the property from future STR licensing.