Chicago's Vacation Rental and Shared Housing Ordinance MCC 4-14 limits most short-term rental hosts to their primary residence. Non-primary listings require Vacation Rental licensing with stricter zoning, and many wards prohibit non-owner-occupied operations through restricted-zone votes.
MCC 4-14, the Shared Housing and Vacation Rental Ordinance, distinguishes Shared Housing Units (host's primary residence rented short-term) from Vacation Rentals (entire dwelling rented while owner is absent). Shared Housing hosts must register with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, prove primary-residence status through driver's license and utility bills, and may rent only one additional unit on the same property. Vacation Rentals require a separate Vacation Rental License with much higher zoning thresholds and are banned outright in Restricted Residential Zones designated by precinct vote. Hosts pay 4.5 percent Hotel Accommodations Tax plus Cook County and state taxes. Aldermen and citizen petitions trigger restricted-zone designations under MCC 4-14-050.
Operating a non-primary residence as Shared Housing or running a Vacation Rental in a Restricted Zone violates MCC 4-14 and triggers fines of $1,500 to $3,000 per day plus license revocation and potential injunction barring future operation at the property.
Chicago, IL
Chicago places direct legal duties on short-term rental platforms under MCC 4-14-260 and 4-14-270, requiring monthly listing reports to BACP, removal of unre...
Chicago, IL
Chicago does not require the host to remain onsite during a Shared Housing rental, but the dwelling must be the host's primary residence registered under MCC...
Chicago, IL
Chicago Shared Housing Ordinance requires registration for STR (stays <32 days). Primary residence required (245 days/year). Registration $125; Shared Housin...
See how Chicago's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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