North Chicago, IL Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

North Chicago regulates rental dwellings primarily through Title 5, Chapter 14 (Landlord Licensing) of the Code of Ordinances rather than through a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance. The North Chicago Zoning Ordinance, updated November 18, 2024, does not list short-term rental, transient rental, or tourist home as a separate use in Table 1 (Uses Permitted in Districts), and Article 2 defines a hotel only as a building reserving more than five rooms or suites for temporary guests (Section 2.2.95). Because no stand-alone STR cap (such as Chicago's Shared Housing Ordinance two-per-bedroom-plus-two formula) has been adopted, the maximum overnight guest count for a particular North Chicago STR is the figure on the certificate of occupancy or rental license issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development for that unit. The City's residential districts are R1, R2, R3 (Single Family Residence), R4 (Limited Multi-Family) and R5 (General Residence) under Section 1.4.2, and a dwelling unit is defined in Section 2.2.65 as one or more rooms designed for occupancy by one family. Section 2.2.73 defines family as one or more persons related by blood, marriage, civil union, adoption or guardianship, or not more than four unrelated persons. Hosts should confirm the unit's permitted occupancy in writing with the Department of Economic and Community Development and the building inspector before listing on Airbnb or Vrbo, and verify whether the use is treated as a permitted residential use, a hotel, or a use requiring interpretation under Section 8.2.