Short‑term rentals are allowed in Oak Park, but they must be licensed, inspected, and operated in compliance with Village Ordinance 21‑54. The ordinance took effect June 1 2022 and treats every STR operation as a regular business within the Village.

1. Eligibility & Property Types

• Permitted dwelling types – single‑family residences, townhomes, condominiums, and rooming‑house dwelling units.
• The property may be owner‑occupied or non‑owner‑occupied; the licensing classification reflects the owner‑occupancy status.
• All STR units must be residential (i.e., not a commercial hotel or motel).

2. License Classifications, Fees & Taxes

| Classification | Who qualifies | Annual License Fee* | Required Taxes | |----------------|----------------|--------------------|----------------| | Owner‑Occupied / Resident | Owner lives in the unit as primary residence. | $100 | 4 % Village Hotel Tax (local) | | Non‑Owner‑Occupied / Resident | Owner does not live in the unit but is a Village resident. | $250 | 4 % Village Hotel Tax | | Non‑Owner‑Occupied / Non‑Resident | Owner lives outside Oak Park. | $350 | 4 % Village Hotel Tax |

* A $50 application fee is added to all new business‑license applications, including STR licenses.

State‑level tax note: Illinois imposes the Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax (HOOT) at 5 % of gross receipts on lodging businesses that exceed the $12,500 annual gross‑receipts threshold. This tax is collected by the Illinois Department of Revenue and is separate from the Village’s 4 % tax.

3. How to Launch an STR in Oak Park

| Step | Action | Details / Links | |------|--------|-----------------| | 1. Verify Zoning & Property Suitability | Confirm the property is a permitted residential dwelling type. | No separate permit is required unless structural changes are made. | | 2. Register on the Village View Portal | Create an account at <villageview.oak-park.us/CityViewPortal>. | • Click “Register.”<br>• Follow the step‑by‑step instructions (see PDF “Instructions – Short‑Term Rental License”). | | 3. Complete the STR Application | In the portal, navigate to Licensing → Business, Rental & Short‑Term Rental Applications and fill out the form. | Required fields include:<br>• Business owner info (name, mailing address, contact numbers).<br>• 24‑hour emergency contact (mandatory).<br>• Property location (only one location per license).<br>• License classification (Owner‑Occupied/Resident, Non‑Owner‑Occupied/Resident, or Non‑Owner‑Occupied/Non‑Resident). | | 4. Upload Required Documents | • Proof of homeowner’s (or landlord’s) liability insurance.<br>• Any additional documentation requested by the portal. | Use the Upload Files step; the portal will prompt you for the insurance proof. | | 5. Pay Fees | Application fee ($50) + license fee (as per classification). | Payment is made online through the portal. | | 6. Schedule & Pass Inspection | After submission, a Village property‑maintenance inspector contacts you to set up an on‑site inspection. | The inspection covers fire‑safety, health, and code‑compliance items (see STR Inspection Checklist PDF). | | 7. License Issuance & Display | Upon passing inspection, the Village issues a Short‑Term Rental License. | The license must be displayed in the front entrance area of the rental unit. | | 8. Ongoing Compliance | • Renew annually via the portal.<br>• File and remit the 4 % Village Hotel Tax (quarterly or per Village schedule).<br>• Keep the license visibly posted at all times. | Renewal instructions are sent via email from the Business Services office. |

4. Required Documents, Permits & Approvals

| Document / Permit | Purpose | When to Submit | |-------------------|---------|----------------| | Village View Portal Account | Access to the online licensing system. | Before application. | | Business License Application (STR) | Grants the legal right to operate. | After portal registration. | | Proof of Homeowner’s / Landlord’s Insurance | Demonstrates liability coverage for the unit. | Upload during application. | | 24‑Hour Emergency Contact Information | Required for rapid response. | Enter on the “Additional Contacts” page of the application. | | Property‑Maintenance Inspection | Confirms compliance with fire‑safety, health, and building codes. | Scheduled after application submission. | | License Display | Evidence of legal operation for guests and inspectors. | Immediately upon issuance (visible at front entrance). | | Hotel‑Tax Remittance (4 % Village) | Municipal tax on gross receipts. | Quarterly or as per Village’s tax‑remittance schedule. | | State‑Level HOOT Filing (if applicable) | State tax on gross receipts >$12,500. | Annually to IL Dept. of Revenue. |

5. Key Regulatory Requirements (Ordinance 21‑54)

| Requirement | Summary | |-------------|---------| | Maximum Occupancy | The ordinance caps occupancy based on the dwelling’s size and safety‑code standards (exact numbers are set in the inspection checklist). | | Parking | One off‑street parking space per rental unit is required; additional guest parking must follow Village parking rules. | | Minimum Rental Period | Minimum stay is one night ( Ordinance does not impose a longer minimum). | | **Host Insurance