DuPage County Short-Term Rental Fee to Fund Housing Goals

DuPage County officials are preparing to bring short-term rentals out of the regulatory shadows.

A zoning amendment before the County Board would allow and regulate short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, eliminating a rule only permitting stays of 30 days or more, the Daily Herald reported.

The move comes as local leaders across the suburbs wrestle with how to manage Airbnb- and Vrbo-style listings that have proliferated in residential neighborhoods.

There are between 65 to 300 short-term rentals operating in unincorporated DuPage County areas, said Paul Hoss, the county’s planning and zoning administrator.

“The only time that we hear about them is typically when there are parties that get out of hand or property damage complaints,” Hoss told the outlet.

Under the proposal, short-term rental hosts would be required to register annually, pay a yet-to-be-determined fee and submit to yearly inspections to ensure compliance with building, health and stormwater codes. County Board member Sam Tornatore, who chairs the development committee, said the measure represents regulatory and revenue opportunity.

The fees would funnel into a county housing fund to support long-term affordability efforts, including low-interest loans and construction financing. The plan aligns with County Board Chair Deb Conroy’s broader housing strategy, which includes a proposed $5 million down-payment assistance program for first-time buyers, to be launched using surplus funds from the 2025 budget.

The amendment also caps occupancy at five unrelated guests per property, though hosts could seek special event permits for larger gatherings. Inspectors would ensure compliance with county and state codes before properties are cleared for operation.

If approved, DuPage would join a growing number of suburban governments taking a structured approach to short-term rentals, balancing resident complaints with demand from homeowners looking to monetize their properties.

Other cities have addressed issues with short-term rentals with various strategies.

Chicago aldermen squabbled this spring over whether to lower the threshold of ward-wide bans on short-term rentals if enough residents sign a petition.

Highland Park blocked a timeshare plan for “fractional ownership” of Michael Jordan’s former estate last month.

Naperville banned short-term rentals in 2020, while other municipalities have adopted hybrid systems.

— Eric Weilbacher