Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Des Plaines vs Oak Lawn
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Des Plaines, IL and Oak Lawn, IL?
Des Plaines and Oak Lawn have similar restriction levels.
Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines rules →Oak Lawn, 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 Oak Lawn rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Des Plaines | Oak Lawn |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Cook Ord. 19-5236 | Cook Ord. 19-5236 |
| Primary residence | Not required | Not required |
| Night cap | None | None |
| Investor units | Allowed if registered | Allowed if registered |
| Contrast | Chicago caps Shared Housing | Chicago caps Shared Housing |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Des Plaines 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.
Oak Lawn 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 Des Plaines and Oak Lawn 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