Cook County, IL Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Cook County, IL, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Hosted (Supervised) rental
- Accessory use: no permit needed
- Unhosted (Non-Supervised) rental
- Special use permit required
- Ordinance scope
- Unincorporated Cook County only
- Special use process
- Public hearing plus County Board vote
- Violation fine
- $100 to $1,000 per day
Summary
In unincorporated Cook County, hosted short-term rentals are allowed as an accessory residential use, but non-supervised rentals, where the host isn't present, require a special use permit under the County Zoning Ordinance.
Short-term Rental, Non-Supervised. A dwelling unit that is used as a Short-term Rental where the host is not present during a Short-term Rental Guest's length of stay. ... Short-term Rental, Supervised. A dwelling unit that is used as a Short-term Rental where the host is present during a Short-term Rental Guest's length of stay. ... A special use may be allowed subject to the issuance of a special use permit in accordance with the provisions of Article 13.
Full Breakdown
Cook County's Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A), which governs land use only in the unincorporated area, defines a Short-term Rental as renting a dwelling for compensation for 24 hours to 30 days. A Short-term Rental, Supervised, host present during the guest's stay, is listed as an accessory use in the residential districts (e.g., R-1, R-6), so it's allowed by right alongside the home. A Short-term Rental, Non-Supervised, no host on site, is instead a special use: it requires an application to the Department of Building and Zoning, mailed notice to neighbors within 250 feet, a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing, and Cook County Board approval before operating.
Violations & Fines
Operating a non-supervised short-term rental without an approved special use permit is a zoning violation, punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000 per day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to list my unincorporated Cook County home on Airbnb?
Does this permit rule apply to rentals in Chicago or other Cook County suburbs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
How Cook County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois short-term rentals overview
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