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Short-term rental rules

Running an Airbnb in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago requires every shared housing unit to hold an approved registration number, with a Shared Housing Unit Operator License needed for hosts with more than one registration. STR guests pay several stacked city surcharges on top of county and state taxes, producing a high composite rate.

10 of 13 fields confirmedLast checked 18 Jul 2026 Lodging tax in Chicago

The rules

Every field, with its source

Anything not confirmed on an official source shows as Verify with jurisdiction rather than a guess.

Licence or permit required
YesReported

All shared housing units need an approved registration number; hosts with more than one registration need a Shared Housing Unit Operator License.

Source
Primary residence required
NoReported

A primary residence is not required generally, though building and precinct restrictions apply.

Source
Annual night cap
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Zoning restricted
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified

Chicago maintains prohibited-buildings lists and precincts may opt out, but a general zoning restriction was not confirmed.

Permit number shown on listing
RequiredReported

An approved registration number is required to operate and advertise.

Source
Register or apply
https://www.chicago.gov/sharedhousingReported
Source
Enforcement notes
Each unit must carry its own registration; hosts approved for more than one registration must obtain a Shared Housing Unit Operator License. Annual renewal applies.Reported
Source

Check eligibility

Can you run each type of STR in Chicago?

A deterministic read of the cited rules for each common use type. When a governing rule is unknown, the verdict says so rather than guessing.

My primary residence (home-share)

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Chicago once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.chicago.gov/sharedhousing
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Each unit must carry its own registration; hosts approved for more than one registration must obtain a Shared Housing Unit Operator License. Annual renewal applies.

Confidence: high. You live there and rent it while away or rent a room.

A whole second home / investment property

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Chicago once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.chicago.gov/sharedhousing
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Each unit must carry its own registration; hosts approved for more than one registration must obtain a Shared Housing Unit Operator License. Annual renewal applies.

Confidence: high. A dedicated STR that is not your primary residence.

An ADU, basement or garage unit

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Chicago once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.chicago.gov/sharedhousing
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Each unit must carry its own registration; hosts approved for more than one registration must obtain a Shared Housing Unit Operator License. Annual renewal applies.

Confidence: high. An accessory dwelling on your property.

Unhosted, whole-unit, no owner on site

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in Chicago once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://www.chicago.gov/sharedhousing
  • Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
  • Each unit must carry its own registration; hosts approved for more than one registration must obtain a Shared Housing Unit Operator License. Annual renewal applies.

Confidence: high. The strictest category in most cities.

LodgeDeck reports publicly available short-term rental rules and lodging tax rates and cites the source of each field. It is not legal or tax advice and it does not replace your own review. Ordinances and tax rates change often and automated collection can lag, so every field shows the source it came from and a confidence flag, and unconfirmed values are marked Unverified. Confirm with the jurisdiction before you rely on a rule or rate.

FAQ

Common questions about Chicago

Do I need a licence to run an Airbnb in Chicago?

Yes. Chicago requires a short-term rental licence or registration before you list. All shared housing units need an approved registration number; hosts with more than one registration need a Shared Housing Unit Operator License.

Does a short-term rental have to be my primary residence in Chicago?

No. Chicago does not require the property to be your primary residence for all rental types. A primary residence is not required generally, though building and precinct restrictions apply.

Is there a night cap on short-term rentals in Chicago?

No annual night cap is confirmed for Chicago in our data. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Do I have to show my permit number on the listing in Chicago?

Yes. Chicago requires a valid permit or registration number to appear on the listing itself. An approved registration number is required to operate and advertise.

What lodging tax will my guest pay in Chicago?

A guest pays roughly 27.75 percent combined lodging tax in Chicago. See the full lodging-tax breakdown for the state and local components.

See the lodging tax a guest pays in Chicago

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