This guide consolidates the governing regulations for short‑term rental operations in the Village of Bridgeview (Cook County), Illinois. It is designed for investors and operators who need a clear, compliance‑ready view of whether and how STRs can legally operate, what permits and fees apply, and who to contact for approvals or inspections.

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Bridgeview?

Bridgeview does not have a dedicated, stand‑alone short‑term rental ordinance (e.g., no Airbnb/VRBO registration, host‑registration, or cap‑based rules). Under the Village’s zoning and building standards, short‑term rentals that function like lodging or room‑rental businesses are not permitted in the residential zoning districts most relevant to investors:

• Residential R‑1 and R‑2 districts: “Room renting” and commercial lodging are expressly prohibited, and no STR can operate in a principal single‑family residence used as a lodging facility.
• Residential R‑3 district: While multifamily dwellings are allowed, the Village prohibits the construction of new multi‑family rental units after September 1, 2019, and imposes long‑term lease restrictions on condominium rentals; transient lodging in the form of a “hotel/motel” is not listed as a special use.
• Residential R‑4 district: This is the only residential district that explicitly lists hotels/motels as a special use. However, it requires that the lot directly abuts 79th Street, 87th Street, or Harlem Avenue. Practically, this narrows any potential STR/hotel‑like operation to parcels on these corridors and requires special use approval by the Zoning, Planning & Development Commission.

Commercial (C) zoning is not a viable venue for STRs because the district prohibits residential uses and lodging facilities.

Bottom line for investors:

• In most residential zones (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3) and in commercial zones, STRs are not permitted.
• In R‑4, limited STR‑like lodging may be possible but only as a special‑use hotel/motel on specific corridors (79th, 87th, or Harlem), and only with Commission approval. Given the Village’s explicit prohibition on room renting in R‑1 and R‑2, and its long‑term lease restrictions in R‑3, most single‑family or small multifamily STRs are not viable.

Starting a Short‑Term Rental Business in Bridgeview

Given the zoning constraints above, the most realistic pathway is:

1. Identify an R‑4 property that directly abuts 79th Street, 87th Street, or Harlem Avenue.
2. Confirm that the intended use can be framed as a “hotel/motel” and not as room renting in a single‑family residence.
3. Apply for a Special Use Permit with the Zoning, Planning & Development Commission (Article XII of the Zoning Ordinance).
4. Satisfy the Building Department’s annual rental registration and inspection standards.
5. Obtain a Zoning Certificate and a Certificate of Occupancy if required (Article XII).
6. Comply with Illinois transient lodging tax obligations (e.g., Illinois Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax) and any applicable state or county tax/occupancy rules.

Important: If you plan to convert a residential property into a lodging facility, you must verify that the zoning and use classification allow it. Doing so without the proper approvals risks enforcement action.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The Bridgeview Building Department requires the following for rental properties (which will apply to STRs permitted as hotels/motels under R‑4):

• Rental Property Manager Registration (annual)

  • Time for registration: filed each calendar year; effective for one year.
  • Amendments: if a new rental manager is employed after registration, an amended statement must be filed within 20 days, including building address and permanent index number.
  • Fees:
    • Timely registration: $20 per rental unit within the building.
    • Late registration: $40 per building (not prorated).

• Building Interior Checklist (Residential Rental Property)

  • Smoke detectors: required in every unit on each level; within 15 feet of sleeping spaces; in interior stairwells of multifamily buildings; installed per code; supplied by owner and maintained by occupant.
  • Storage: clearance from electrical/plumbing/mechanical equipment; no accumulation of garbage or rubbish; no obstruction of exits, stairs, or hallways.
  • Surfaces: ceilings, walls, floors, and food preparation areas maintained in good condition, clean, sanitary, and free from holes/cracks/defects.
  • Windows: in good condition and easily openable with insect screens; emergency escape means required in all sleeping rooms.
  • Doors & frames: in good condition and functional without hardware restricting emergency escape.
  • Handrails & guardrails: required for stairs with more than four risers and open walking surfaces more than 30 inches above floor level.
  • Electrical equipment: light fixtures, protective cover plates, and wiring complete and safe; accessibility to panel boards/fuse boxes; adequate illumination of common stairs, hallways, and non‑habitable spaces.
  • Plumbing equipment: fixtures, pipes, and connections free from leaks/obstructions/defects; adequate pressure/temperature; “P” traps required on sanitary drainage openings.
  • Mechanical equipment: heating and cooking appliances, pipes, and connections installed properly, clean, free from defects; proper venting for fuel‑burning appliances to the exterior.
  • Heat: dwelling units must be able to maintain 65°F in all habitable areas, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.
  • Habitable space: approved light and ventilation required; minimum ceiling height of seven feet; minimum room width of seven feet.
  • Occupancy:
    • No overcrowding beyond Property Maintenance Code Table 404.5 limits.
    • Prohibited sleeping uses: kitchens, hallways, closets, basements, storage rooms, public areas, dining rooms, or living rooms—except that a living room may be used for sleeping for not more than two consecutive nights by a guest.

• Zoning and Occupancy Authorizations

  • Zoning Certificate: required before occupancy or use changes (Article XII).
  • Certificate of Occupancy: required before any building or premises is occupied for any new or changed use (Article XII).
  • Special Use Permit: required in R‑4 for hotels/motels and must be located on a lot abutting 79th Street, 87th, or Harlem Avenue.
  • Variations and Appeals: available through the Zoning, Planning & Development Commission process (Article XII).

• Single‑Family Owner‑Occupied Affidavit (if applicable)

  • Used to confirm owner‑occupancy status and that no rent is being charged. Required if the property was owner‑occupied for the prior 12 months and you plan to maintain that status.

Specific Regulations Affecting STRs: City, County, and State

• City of Bridgeview (Village)

  • Zoning: STRs that function as lodging are not permitted in R‑1/R‑2 (room renting prohibited) and R‑3 (hotel/motel not listed as special use; new rental construction restricted post‑2019). In R‑4, hotels/motels are allowed as special uses but only on parcels directly abutting 79th Street, 87th Street, or Harlem Avenue.
  • Commercial district: C district expressly prohibits residential uses and lodging uses; not viable for STRs.
  • Rental registration and inspections: annual registration of rental managers, $20/unit if timely, $40/building if late; compliance with interior checklist and building codes required prior to occupancy.
  • Certificates: Zoning Certificate and Certificate of Occupancy required before STR use. Special use approvals via the Zoning, Planning & Development Commission.
  • Affidavit: Single‑Family Owner‑Occupied Affidavit is required to maintain owner‑occupancy status and avoid registration/inspection triggers when no rent is collected.

• Cook County

  • The provided sources do not include Cook County‑specific short‑term rental ordinances or taxes. If you plan to operate in Bridgeview, confirm any county‑level occupancy or tax requirements directly with county agencies.

• State of Illinois

  • The provided sources do not include specific Illinois short‑term rental statutes or registry details. However, if the use is a hotel/motel lodging business, you must comply with Illinois transient lodging tax obligations, such as the Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax (35 ILCS 145/). Confirm the applicability and filing requirements with the Illinois Department of Revenue or a qualified tax advisor.

Contact Information

• Village of Bridgeview Building Department

  • Office of Building Commissioner
  • Address: 7500 South Oketo Avenue, Bridgeview, Illinois 60455
  • Phone: 708‑594‑2525
  • Fax: 708‑924‑8095
  • Role: rental property manager registration, interior inspections, zoning certificates, certificates of occupancy, and special use permit coordination.

• Zoning, Planning & Development Commission

  • Administers special use permits, zoning certificates, variations, and appeals (as per Article XII of the Zoning Ordinance).
  • Contact via the Building Department for procedures, meeting schedules, and application intake.

• Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR)

  • For transient lodging tax obligations and registration (e.g., Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax).
  • Website: tax.illinois.gov (telephone not provided in the sources).

Key Steps to Pursue an STR in Bridgeview

• Verify zoning and address eligibility:
  • Confirm whether your property is R‑4 and directly abuts 79th Street, 87th, or Harlem Avenue. If not in R‑4 or not on these corridors, an STR will not be permitted under current zoning.
• Initiate special use:
  • Apply for a Special Use Permit for a hotel/motel with the Zoning, Planning & Development Commission (Article XII).
• Register and inspect:
  • File the annual rental property manager registration with the Building Department ($20/unit if timely; $40/building if late).
  • Complete the interior checklist inspection and obtain any required Certificates of Occupancy.
• Align with state taxes:
  • Register for and comply with Illinois transient lodging taxes if operating a lodging business.
• Maintain compliance:
  • Adhere to occupancy limits and prohibited sleeping areas; maintain smoke detectors, egress, heat, and other building standards; renew registrations annually.

Links to Source Pages

• Village of Bridgeview Building Department Information Sheet for Rental Property Managers
  • bridgeview-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Bldg-ResRentalShts.pdf
• Bridgeview Zoning Ordinance (compiled as of August 13, 2020)
  • bridgeview-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bridgeview-Zoning-Ordinance-with-2022-Update.pdf

Notes:

• There is no dedicated Village STR ordinance or host‑registration system in the provided sources.
• The Bridgeview Zoning Ordinance is the primary regulatory document for allowed uses, special use permits, and certificate requirements.
• The Illinois Department of Revenue is the appropriate reference for transient lodging tax obligations at the state level.