Skokie, IL Short-Term Rental (STR) Regulatory Guide for Investors

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Skokie, IL?

As of the latest publicly reported discussions (September 2025), Skokie does not have an enacted short‑term rental ordinance that outright bans or explicitly permits short‑term rentals in residential zoning districts. Short‑term rentals are not expressly prohibited, but the regulatory landscape is actively evolving and highly restrictive in practice.

• Current status: Short‑term rentals are treated administratively like other residential rentals and are not separately regulated by a dedicated STR ordinance. Hosts must register rental units annually with the Village and comply with the Village’s residential rental standards and hotel‑motel tax rules. [Source: 1, 3, 4]
• Political direction: The Mayor and several trustees have expressed support for stringent limitations or a potential ban in residential neighborhoods, including minimum stay requirements (e.g., 30 nights), cap on number of STRs per block, and earlier quiet hours. A final ordinance has not been adopted; staff continues to draft options for board review. [Source: 2, 3]

Bottom line: STRs are not explicitly banned today, but they are under active consideration for significant restrictions or prohibition in residential zoning. Any investor must assume stricter rules may be enacted imminently and structure compliance accordingly.

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

Given the policy trajectory and enforcement realities, the most prudent path is to structure operations around traditional, compliant rental use while tracking Village policy changes:

1. Confirm zoning and viability
   • Verify your property is in a residential zoning district where the Village has signaled possible STR prohibition or stringent caps (e.g., one STR per block). [Source: 2, 3]
   • Consider whether you can operate at a minimum 30‑night stay (which reduces “short‑term” exposure and aligns with mayoral preferences). [Source: 2]
2. Register the rental unit
   • Skokie requires all residential rental units to be registered annually. Short‑term rentals are included in this program. [Source: 4]
3. Pay applicable taxes
   • Short‑term rentals must collect and remit the hotel‑motel tax to the Village. Enforcement against platforms has historically been limited; the Village aims to enforce collection under any new ordinance. [Source: 2]
4. Comply with Village rental standards
   • Complete the free Landlord Seminar. [Source: 1]
   • Consider participation in the Certified Owner Program to demonstrate safety and maintenance standards. [Source: 1]
   • Adopt the Crime‑Free Lease Addendum for tenant and guest rules. [Source: 1]
5. Prepare for potential enforcement
   • If an STR‑specific ordinance passes, expect minimum stays, cap‑based approvals, occupancy and parking rules, quiet hours, and inspection requirements. Staff has indicated revocation processes for repeat violations. [Source: 2, 3]
6. Monitor evolving rules
   • Staff indicated the Village Board would revisit the ordinance within approximately 30 days after the September 2, 2025 meeting. The status can change quickly; investors should track board agendas and minutes. [Source: 2, 3]

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Annual Rental Unit Registration
  • Required for all rental units (including STRs). [Source: 4]
  • Process: Owners are mailed a registration form each April; completed forms and the $25 per unit fee are due by May 1. Downloadable forms and an FAQ pamphlet are available. Fee waivers may be available. [Source: 4]
  • Exceptions: Condominium buildings with more than four units, and owner‑occupied units in rental buildings, are exempt from registration. [Source: 4]
• Landlord Seminar (required)
  • A free seminar covering safe management and local rules. Completion is a Village requirement for landlords. [Source: 1]
• Certified Owner Program (optional but recommended)
  • Demonstrates adherence to Village standards and training; strengthens credibility with neighbors and inspectors. [Source: 1]
• Crime‑Free Lease Addendum (optional but recommended)
  • Adds explicit prohibitions on illegal activity; aids enforcement and neighbor relations. Contact Neighborhood Standards Officer for details. [Source: 1]
• Hotel‑motel tax compliance
  • Collect and remit hotel‑motel tax applicable to short‑term rentals. Under any adopted ordinance, enforcement and platform compliance are expected to tighten. [Source: 2]

Note: While the Village has drafted an STR ordinance proposal, it has not been enacted. Investors should not assume issuance of any separate STR permit or license at this time. [Source: 2, 3]

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals (City/County/State)

• City of Skokie (current/administrative baseline)
  • No dedicated STR ordinance in force; STRs are governed as standard residential rentals under the Village’s Rental Unit Registration program. [Source: 1, 3, 4]
  • Hotel‑motel tax applies to STRs; the Village is working to improve compliance and expects stronger enforcement under a future ordinance. [Source: 2]
• Proposed (not yet enacted) City provisions under discussion
  • Definitions: STR types (owner‑occupied, hosted, unhosted, investor‑owned). [Source: 2, 3]
  • Registration/inspection: Annual registration, inspections, revocation process for violations. [Source: 3]
  • Minimum stay: Proposed 48‑hour minimum (with trustee discussion of 72 hours). [Source: 2, 3]
  • Caps and spacing: Limit of one STR per block; first‑in, first‑approved if within prescribed distance. [Source: 2, 3]
  • Quiet hours: Midnight on Friday/Saturday and 10 p.m. other days (proposed). [Source: 2]
  • Neighbor notification: Hosts must notify adjacent neighbors (proposed). [Source: 2]
  • Parking and occupancy rules: Off‑street parking and occupancy tied to bedroom capacity (proposed). [Source: 2]
  • Host presence: Some proposals envision host presence requirements in single‑family areas; final form not decided. [Source: 2, 3]
  • ADU exclusion: Trustees indicated unwillingness to allow STR use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). [Source: 2]
  • Enforcement: Notice of violation, citations, reinspection, adjudication, and license/registration revocation (proposed). [Source: 2, 3]
  • Policy direction: Mayor opposes STRs in residential zoning districts except possibly for minimum 30‑night stays; board discussion ongoing. [Source: 2]
• Cook County
  • No county‑specific STR rules are cited in the provided materials. County requirements may apply depending on property classification, taxes, and other matters, but they are not detailed here.
• State of Illinois
  • No state‑specific STR statutes are cited in the provided materials. General landlord‑tenant, safety, and tax laws apply; consult state resources for broader compliance (e.g., safety codes, taxes, posting requirements). If local rules are absent or insufficient, default to Illinois and federal standards.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs/Rental Housing)

• Neighborhood Services Division (rental registration, landlord programs, complaints)
  • Phone: 847‑933‑8224
  • Neighborhood Standards Officer (Crime‑Free Lease Addendum, rental standards):
    • Officer Rich Wilken: 847‑982‑5922
    • Email: richard.wilken@skokie.org
• Village of Skokie (general inquiries)
  • Address: 5127 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077
  • Phone: 847‑673‑0500
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  • Contact directory: www.skokie.org/directory.aspx
• Access Skokie (report a concern): www.skokie.org/637/Access-Skokie
• Forms & Applications: www.skokie.org/1111/Forms-Applications
• Village Code & Zoning Ordinance (for underlying standards): www.skokie.org/580/Village-Code

Links to Source Pages

• For Landlords (Village of Skokie) – programs, seminar, addendum, forms, and contacts: www.skokie.org/523/For-Landlords
• Rental Unit Registration (Village of Skokie) – requirements, fee, deadlines, and exceptions: www.skokie.org/524/Rental-Unit-Registration
• Skokie Mayor Ann Tennes leaning against Airbnb‑type short‑term rentals (Chicago Tribune, Sept 9, 2025) – current board direction, counts, proposed provisions, and timeline: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/09/skokie-mayor-ann-tennes-leaning-against-airbnb-type-short-term-rentals/
• Skokie trustees debate limits on short‑term rentals after residents report noise and safety problems (Citizen Portal AI summary, Sept 3, 2025) – discussion highlights, definitions under consideration, enforcement concepts: citizenportal.ai/articles/6025616/Skokie/Cook-County/Illinois/Skokie-trustees-debate-limits-on-short-term-rentals-after-residents-report-noise-and-safety-problems
• Skokie village board proposes limits on Airbnb‑type short‑term rentals (Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2024) – initial ordinance concepts, hotel‑motel tax status, minimum‑stay and spacing proposals: www.chicagotribune.com/2024/03/20/skokie-village-board-proposes-limits-on-airbnb-type-short-term-rentals/

Investor note: Skokie’s STR policy is in active flux. Even if your property qualifies today, anticipated restrictions (minimum stays, caps, quiet hours, inspection and revocation regimes) could materially affect viability. Align your business plan with conservative compliance and maintain direct contact with Neighborhood Services for updates.