Chicago requires every shared housing unit (Airbnb, Vrbo) to register with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) under Municipal Code Chapter 4-14 before listing. The annual fee is $125, the unit must be the host's primary residence (lived in 245+ days/year), and only one rental unit is allowed per 2-4 unit building.
Under Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 4-13 (Shared Housing) and Chapter 4-14 (Vacation Rentals and Shared Housing Unit Operators), every short-term rental unit must register with BACP before being advertised, listed, or rented (MCC 4-13-230 and 4-14-020). Each registration triggers a zoning review, a check against the City's prohibited buildings list, and a check against restricted residential zones. The unit must be the host's primary residence, defined under BACP rules as the dwelling where the host lives at least 245 days in the calendar year. In buildings with 2-5 units, no more than one unit may be registered as a shared housing unit because each host is limited to one primary residence. In buildings with five or more units, only one-quarter of the units, or six units, whichever is fewer, may operate as STRs. The annual registration fee is $125 per unit. 2024 amendments (Ordinance SO2024-0013637) tightened reporting and added a Cook County homeowner exemption from certain disclosures.
Operating an unregistered shared housing unit, or listing on a platform without a BACP registration number, is enforced by BACP under MCC 4-13 and 4-14 and is generally subject to fines from $1,500 up to $3,000 per offense, with each day a separate violation. The City may also order the listing removed.
Chicago, IL
Chicago Building Code Chapter 13-196 requires approved smoke alarms in every residential unit: at least one on each story (including basement), within 15 fee...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance specific to residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Landmark Commission approval is required only for perma...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance specific to residential holiday inflatables. Inflator-motor noise after hours is enforced under MCC Section 8-32 (noise), and sidewa...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance regulating residential holiday light display windows or brightness. Property maintenance complaints are handled under MCC Section 13...
Chicago, IL
Chicago requires Department of Buildings permits for outdoor kitchens with gas piping, electrical wiring, or plumbing under MCC Chapter 14A. Trade work must ...
Chicago, IL
Chicago has no ordinance specifically regulating residential smokers or wood-fired ovens. Smoke nuisance is enforced under Chicago Municipal Code Section 11-...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle registration rules.
See how Chicago's registration rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.