Berwyn, IL Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Section 822.02 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances makes it an offense to own or operate a multi-tenant or mixed-use property in the city without a valid ROL. The city issues the license for a period of one year unless it is revoked sooner, and it is renewed under § 822.09. The single defense is an annual exemption affidavit, signed and sworn to by the owner of a multi-family property or the owner's authorized agent, stating that no dwelling units are leased or offered for lease and that they are vacant, filed with the Director on a Building Department form.

Application goes to the Collector's office under § 822.03. It covers a multi-tenant dwelling of five or more units and/or a mixed-use property, and the applicant must be the person who owns, controls or operates it. The application lists the owner, all legal addresses, an emergency contact, the number of units and buildings, a floor-by-floor diagram of unit locations, lien holders and insurance carriers, and the designated property manager. Under § 822.04 the fee is a flat rate of $100 per address plus $15 per unit, and it is nonrefundable. A 40-unit building at one address therefore pays $700.

The Director issues the ROL only if the applicant has complied with the requirements, made no false statements, owes no outstanding city fees, does not violate the Zoning Code, and has completed the Crime Free Multi-Housing Training Program. The ROL expires March 31 each year, and a renewal application is due at least 30 days before expiration. It is not transferable: a new owner gets 90 days from the date of transfer to complete the requirements. Registrants must notify the Director within five days of any material change in application information. A denial notice must give the right of appeal within 20 days, and a revocation appeal is due within 35 days. Short-term rentals booked through hosting platforms have their own license in Chapter 879C, with annual fees of $350, $250 or $100.