Elmhurst May Look Into Airbnb Regulations

ELMHURST, IL – Two Elmhurst aldermen are asking the city to look into the possibility of regulating short-term rentals such as Airbnbs.

In a memo this week, Ward 7 aldermen Mike Brennan and Rex Irby referred to an incident earlier this summer in the 700 block of Hillside Avenue, which they represent. They said Elmhurst police were called, but no other details were given in the memo.

It turned out the incident occurred at a short-term rental.

"That within itself isn’t alarming. However, the (rental) Host wasn’t the owner of the property but a renter of the property," the aldermen said.

They said the situation prompted questions:

• Should Elmhurst have a policy on short-term rentals?
• Should a renter be allowed to list a property as a short-term rental?
• Is the city getting hotel tax dollars from such rentals?

The aldermen asked for a City Council committee to look into the issue. On Monday, the council is set to vote on the request.

This week, after months of debate, the Hinsdale Village Board banned short-term rentals that are less than three months. That was on the high side.

Other suburbs, including Darien, have gone with one month.

The towns have justified the bans by saying that rentals such as Airbnbs draw parties that disrupt neighborhoods. They also say that residents want to know who lives next door.

Many suburbs have no prohibitions, including La Grange and Western Springs.