Chicago

Chicago strictly regulates short-term rentals through a dual system of 'Shared Housing' registrations (for platform users) and 'Vacation Rental' licenses. Hosts must pay a combined tax rate of 17.4% (including state and county portions) and ensure their building is not on the City's 'Prohibited Buildings List'.

To host an Airbnb in Chicago, you first need to check if your building or street allows it, as many parts of the city have voted to ban short-term rentals. If you are allowed, you register directly through the Airbnb app, which sends your information to the city for a $125 annual fee. You don't need to worry about manually paying the main taxes because Airbnb collects and sends the roughly 17.4% total tax for you. Just make sure you have $1 million in insurance and follow the city's strict safety rules like posting evacuation maps.