Overview: Are STRs allowed in Elmwood Park, Illinois?

Short‑term rentals (rentals of less than 30 consecutive days, typically marketed on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms) are prohibited in the Village of Elmwood Park. In 2019, the Village Board adopted Ordinance 2019‑16, which added short‑term rentals as a new property class in the zoning code and prohibited them as a permitted use in all residential, business, commercial, and mixed‑use districts. Village officials cited resident complaints and the character of the community as primary reasons for the ban.

Enforcement is active. In 2024, the village cited a property at 2618 N 72nd Ct Unit 1 for an “AirBNB” short‑term rental under citation number 2024266 (Ordinance 2019‑16). Code Administration’s own renewal reminders have explicitly stated that “AirBnb or VRBO rentals are not allowed in the Village of Elmwood Park” (Ord. 2019‑16).

Because city‑level STRs are not permitted in Elmwood Park, you must rely on state‑level Illinois rules and other nearby municipalities’ frameworks for best‑practice insights when evaluating broader Illinois strategies, but Elmwood Park remains a prohibited market for new or continued STR operations.

Sources:

• Chicago Tribune coverage of the 2019 ordinance banning STRs in Elmwood Park
• Elmwood Park FOIA response referencing Ordinance 2019‑16 and enforcement actions
• Elmwood Park Code Administration rental license renewal reminder

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in This Market

In Elmwood Park, you cannot legally start or operate a short‑term rental. Ordinance 2019‑16 prohibits STRs as a permitted use in all zoning districts. Practically, the only pathways that align with current law are:

• Long‑term rental (30+ days) with standard rental licensing and inspections.
• Selling the property rather than operating it as a transient rental.
• Relocating to a municipality where STRs are allowed and properly licensed (e.g., Chicago, Tinley Park—each with its own licensing and tax rules; see “State‑Level Illinois Context” for general requirements and examples).

Given the ban, any attempt to list an Elmwood Park property on STR platforms risks immediate enforcement (citations, potential court action), reputational harm, and operating losses.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines (Elmwood Park)

Elmwood Park’s available rental licensing is for traditional, long‑term tenancy—not STRs. The village requires:

• Rental license application and annual renewal for each rental unit.
• Annual inspection of each rental unit; the property must pass inspection before license issuance or renewal.
• Payment of inspection/licensing fees (e.g., $125.00 per unit license/inspection fee).
• Penalties for late renewal (e.g., $25.00 late fee, and citations may be issued after July 31 in a given year).
• Owner information, unit counts, contact details, and for owner‑occupied scenarios, valid government‑issued photo ID.

The village has emphasized compliance and has included reminder language on renewal notices stating STRs are not allowed (Ord. 2019‑16).

Note: These requirements pertain to long‑term rentals; no short‑term rental license exists in Elmwood Park.

Sources:

• Elmwood Park FOIA documents (rental license/inspection process, fees, enforcement of Ordinance 2019‑16)

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• City of Elmwood Park (Cook County)
  • STRs are prohibited via Ordinance 2019‑16 across all zoning districts. Enforcement includes citations under the same ordinance. The village’s FOIA records show active citations for alleged STR operations.
• County (Cook County)
  • No separate county‑wide STR regulations are identified in the provided sources.
• State of Illinois (general municipal context)
  • Municipalities in Illinois set their own STR rules; some require licensing, safety inspections, taxes, and operating constraints. The provided sources do not include a statewide STR statute; local municipal codes govern.

Sources:

• Chicago Tribune report (ban details)
• Elmwood Park FOIA/Code Administration records (Ordinance 2019‑16 and citations)

State‑Level Illinois Context (general requirements in other municipalities)

While Elmwood Park bans STRs, Illinois municipalities that allow STRs typically require:

• License application with property ownership and contact information, business plans/quality‑of‑life plans, and proof of insurance.
• Safety inspections and minimum habitability standards.
• Taxes and reporting requirements (e.g., hotel accommodation taxes administered by the municipality).
• Ongoing compliance, recordkeeping, and sometimes occupancy or spacing limits.

Examples:

• Chicago requires intermediaries (platforms like Airbnb/VRBO) to register, collect/remit hotel accommodation taxes, and manage approved hosts. Fees scale with rental volume (from $250 for 1–9 rentals up to $10,000 for 1,000+ rentals, plus $60/unit fee).
• Tinley Park limits STRs to the owner’s primary residence, requires a $50 license, $1M general liability insurance, inspections, and imposes caps and spacing rules (e.g., one STR per location per year; 500‑foot separation; in multifamily buildings, STR units capped at 25% of total units).

These examples illustrate common Illinois patterns but do not change Elmwood Park’s prohibition.

Sources:

• O’Flaherty Law overview of Illinois STR laws and municipal examples (Chicago and Tinley Park)

Enforcement and Compliance Considerations

• Active enforcement: The village has issued citations for alleged STR activity under Ordinance 2019‑16.
• Consequences of noncompliance: Potential court hearings, penalties, and ongoing monitoring by Code Administration.
• Best practice given the ban: Avoid listing Elmwood Park properties on STR platforms; if renting, use 30+‑day tenancies and maintain current village rental licenses and inspections.

Sources:

• FOIA citation (Issue #38198, Citation #2024266, short‑term rental offense, court hearing scheduled)

Contact Information (Village of Elmwood Park)

• Code Administration (rental licensing/inspections): 708‑452‑3920
• Village Hall (general/FOIA): 708‑452‑7300
• FOIA Officer (Village Clerk): Gina Pesko, Village Clerk
  • Phone: 708‑452‑3948
• Mailing Address: Village of Elmwood Park, 11 Conti Parkway, Elmwood Park, IL 60707
• Website: www.elmwoodpark.org

Sources:

• FOIA response letter and license renewal forms (contact details and addresses)

Links to Source Pages

• Chicago Tribune article on Elmwood Park’s 2019 ban on Airbnb/short‑term rentals
• Elmwood Park FOIA response (rental licensing, citations, Ordinance 2019‑16 references)
• Elmwood Park Code Administration (document links included in FOIA attachments)
• Elmwood Township, Michigan STR discussion (not Elmwood Park, IL; included by request only—see note below)
• O’Flaherty Law overview of Illinois STR laws (municipal examples: Chicago, Tinley Park)

Note: The UpNorthLive link pertains to Elmwood Township (Leelanau County, Michigan), not Elmwood Park, Illinois; it is included only because a source was provided for “Elmwood Township.” For Elmwood Park, Illinois STRs, rely on the Chicago Tribune article and the village FOIA/Code Administration documents above.